In 2013, East-West Gateway completed the second round of Great Streets demonstration projects, which included Grand Center. The round two projects were funded through federal transportation planning grants and local funds provided by the project sponsors.
The Grand Center District is located along Grand Boulevard in the “Midtown” area of the city of St. Louis, Missouri. EWG in collaboration with Grand Center, Inc., the city of St. Louis, and other key stakeholders developed the Grand Center Great Streets Master Plan. Grand Center, Inc. and the city of St. Louis’ goal for the planning process was to develop a plan for the community and business district that built upon the Framework Plan completed in 2012 and coordinated land use and connected streets/pathways to allow the Grand Center community to maximize the potential economic value represented by 1.5 million arts patrons who visit the community each year and transform Grand Center into a vibrant entertainment, residential, and retail community. The planning process for the Grand Center project included business and community engagement and feedback, an examination of existing conditions (e.g. street character, building facades, environmental conditions, infrastructure, stormwater, transportation), an analysis of branding, signage, and wayfinding, a market study / economic analysis, a land use and development strategy, and recommendations to implement the community’s vision for Grand Center.