ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer signed Board Bill 22 into law today, marking a major milestone in the City's effort to put Rams settlement funds to work through strategic investments in North St. Louis neighborhoods, infrastructure, and downtown revitalization.
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"Today is a long-awaited moment more than four years in the making," said Mayor Spencer. "When the Rams left St. Louis, our community felt that loss. We felt it as sports fans. We felt it as taxpayers. We felt it in our infrastructure, in our economy, and in the confidence of a city that deserved better. Today, we begin turning that page."
The legislation authorizes the City's use of Rams settlement funds and establishes a framework for investing the dollars in projects that will strengthen neighborhoods, improve infrastructure, and create long-term economic opportunity.
At a press conference earlier today, Mayor Spencer thanked Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, and Dowd Bennett, the law firms whose work secured the settlement, as well as Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, members of the Board of Aldermen, and so many other City officials, current and former, for working together to reach an agreement that prioritizes the needs of St. Louis residents.
"This agreement wasn't easy," Spencer said. "It required countless revisions, difficult conversations, and a shared commitment to finding a path forward that puts our residents first. Because of that work, today we are ready to take what was once a loss and turn it into an investment opportunity for our city."
The City's investment strategy is centered around three priorities:
Tornado Recovery and North St. Louis
Citywide Infrastructure and Neighborhood Improvements
Downtown Revitalization
Mayor Spencer emphasized that work on those priorities is already beginning.
In North St. Louis, the City will immediately invest $2.5 million to remove hazardous trees, eliminate dangerous stumps, and repair damaged sidewalks that are not eligible for FEMA reimbursement. These improvements address long-standing resident concerns while improving neighborhood safety and quality of life.
The City is also bringing resident support services in-house at City Hall, creating a more direct connection between residents and their local government. The move is intended to improve responsiveness, strengthen constituent services, and help ensure investments are meeting community needs.
When it comes to infrastructure improvements, the City will immediately begin deploying settlement funds, including the transfer of $40 million to the Water Division to immediately support essential repairs.
Downtown revitalization will begin by targeting large vacant buildings, like the Railway Exchange, and supporting efforts to develop the riverfront, thereby creating a stronger economic center that benefits the entire city.
Additional information about Rams settlement investments will be announced as projects move forward.
