MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY 5.23.11
 

Clay Says Hope VI Grant will Transform Blumeyer, Create Affordable Housing & Community Green Space
$7.82 Million Grant will allow St. Louis to replace old, obsolete public housing with healthy, safe and affordable homes
 

-ST. LOUIS, MO – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined Regional HUD Administrator Derrith Watchaman-Moore and Mayor Francis G. Slay to announce a $7.82 Million Hope VI grant that will replace the aging Blumeyer high-rise housing project with safe and affordable community homes on North Sarah street in the City of St. Louis.
 

In his remarks at the grant announcement, Congressman Clay said, “I want to personally thank President Obama and Secretary Donovan for making this $7.82 million Hope VI grant possible.  Just a few days ago I met with the President along with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus.  We made it clear that in our view, winning the future requires a real commitment to urban America…and he agreed with us. Today is proof positive that President Obama follows up his promises…with action.

This Hope VI grant will allow us to replace old, obsolete public housing with healthy, safe and affordable homes on North Sarah street, and it also supports our overall plan to make the Northside regeneration project a reality.  That’s the kind of redevelopment I love to see because rebuilding urban neighborhoods is a vital part of winning the future.”

The Arthur A. Blumeyer building is the last family high-rise public housing project in the City of St. Louis.  It will be replaced with a vibrant, mixed income community.  The original footprint of the public housing tower will be transformed into a community green space.  The St. Louis Housing Authority will match the federal grant with $3.2 million of local funding to complete the project.

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