St. Louis Recovers | Shakespeare Festival Celebrates 25 Years with ‘Hamlet’ | Big Projects Driving Growth
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St. Louis Recovers: “Get In Where You Fit In”
Less than two weeks from the May 16 storm that devastated parts of the region, St. Louis is getting back on its feet, thanks in no small part to the widespread collaboration offered by the greater community.
In a new STLMade story, editor Liz Miller and photographer Michael Thomas meet some of the people involved in recovery efforts — neighbors, nurses, organizers, and business owners — to explore their work and to document the resiliency and community that makes them STLMade.
The Bottom Line: The goal of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan is inclusive economic growth, and while the tornado created catastrophic setbacks, that goal remains the same. Now is the time to double down on our efforts, invest in the people and businesses that make up St. Louis’ diverse economy, and create solid and inclusive paths toward recovery.
The Show Must Go On: Shakespeare Festival Celebrates 25 Years with ‘Hamlet’
For 25 years, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, a GSL member, has presented worldclass productions of the Bard’s plays on a stage at the center of St. Louis’ Forest Park — free and accessible to everyone. This year, the organization celebrates its birthday with the biggest of them all: “Hamlet.”
While the festival stage was waylaid by storm damage, the show will go on as planned, with opening night scheduled for May 28.
The Bottom Line: The arts in St. Louis contribute to the economy in a big way — the Regional Arts Commission estimates the impact at nearly $1 billion. But the arts also contribute to the vibrancy and livability of our region. The constancy and continuation of gems such as St. Louis Shakespeare Festival — in spite of setbacks — ensures that the region remains a place where people want to live and work.
$22B in Investment: Big Projects Driving Growth Throughout the Region
From Downtown St. Louis to Chesterfield, Wright City to East Alton, developers, companies, public and private entities are investing billions of dollars in major projects in the St. Louis region. In total, the St. Louis Business Journal estimates this number at $22 billion, outlining the largest 21 construction projects turning up dirt.
Wall Street Journal: “Saarinen’s Vision Is Made Complete”
St. Louis received national attention last week when the Wall Street Journal detailed the final piece of the $380 million, 15-year CityArchRiver Project, an ambitious — and now successful — effort to renew and connect the national park to Downtown St. Louis, concluding with the restoration of the Old Courthouse.
This week, the United States Handball Association and the St. Louis Hinder Club hosted in Hazelwood the grand opening of the U.S. National Handball Center— a state-of-the-art facility and new home for handball players across the country. “Coming together, we’ve built a home that honors our shared history and provides a national hub for competition, youth development, and community engagement.”
