In 2009, East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) completed the first round of Great Streets demonstration projects which included South Grand Boulevard in the City of St. Louis. The round one projects were funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
South Grand Boulevard is located near Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Gardens in the City of St. Louis, Missouri and the corridor serves as a major north-south corridor. EWG in collaboration with the city of St. Louis and other key stakeholders developed the South Grand Boulevard Master Plan. The goal of the South Grand planning process was to develop a master plan that was implementable and would serve as a model of a Great Street for the city of St. Louis, provide social and economic benefits to the South Grand district, and improve the long-term livability and vibrancy of the district. The planning process for the South Grand Boulevard project included visioning sessions, community engagement and feedback, an examination of existing conditions (e.g. environmental, economics, transportation, streetscapes), identification of issues and opportunities for the district, and recommendations regarding improvements to infrastructure and other public places such as roadways, streetscapes, landscapes, and lighting within the corridor.