Saint Louis (Mo.). City Plan Commission
Dates
- Existence: 1911-1974
- Existence: 1911 - 1974
Biography
The St. Louis City Plan Commission grew out of the St. Louis Civic League, whose members were prominent local businessmen and civic leaders. In 1907, the Civic League published “A City Plan for St. Louis”, one of the first comprehensive city plans in the nation. The plan included reports and proposals regarding construction of a public buildings group; creation of neighborhood civic centers; development of a system of connected parks and parkways; and improvements of the major street grid, riverfront, and railways.
Many of these proposals were implemented by the City Plan Commission, which was established by St. Louis City ordinance in 1911. Harland Bartholomew, who became the one of the nation’s most prominent city planners, was brought to St. Louis in 1916 to direct the Commission. During his tenure as Chief Engineer of the City Plan Commission from 1916-1950, Bartholomew also operated a city planning consulting firm called Harland Bartholomew and Associates. Through this firm, he exerted a strong influence over both local and national city planning efforts.
Under Bartholomew’s direction, the City Plan Commission undertook extensive studies and research to guide their policies and proposals. Early projects undertaken by the Commission included the widening and extension of major streets; creation of strict zoning districts; construction of a Civic Center adjacent to City Hall; development of a playground, park, and boulevard system; improvement of the riverfront; and control of the River des Peres.
The City Plan Commission’s work culminated in the 1947 Comprehensive City Plan, which remains the only ordinance-approved comprehensive city plan in St. Louis. The plan’s most notable proposals called for slum clearance and urban renewal in areas designated obsolete and blighted, and for construction of interstates and expressways connecting the central business district with the expanding suburbs. The plan also included proposals for the construction of new housing to compete with suburban development, revisions of the major street plan, creation of a land use plan, revisions of the zoning ordinance, and development of a city-wide system of neighborhood parks and playgrounds. This plan served as the basis for many of the post-war urban renewal and development projects undertaken in St. Louis.
In 1974, the City Plan Commission was merged with the Model City Agency, Municipal Business Development Commission, and the Beautification Commission to form the Community Development Agency (CDA).