The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA), Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), residents, elected officials, and community partners recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Phase 1 of the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, marking a major milestone in the transformation of one of St. Louis’ most historic public housing communities.
The ceremony commemorates years of planning, resident engagement, and collaboration to launch the first phase of a comprehensive revitalization that will create new affordable homes, modern community amenities, and expanded opportunities for current and future residents while honoring the neighborhood’s rich history.
Clinton-Peabody Phase 1 will include 89 new-construction units across three buildings, including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with a planned completion date in early winter 2028. The development includes apartments designated for 20 percent to 60 percent Area Median Income households, in addition to market-rate units. Clinton-Peabody residents were instrumental in building and apartment designs through monthly engagement meetings. Half the apartments are designated for existing Clinton-Peabody residents, and residents were provided the opportunity to stay on site during the redevelopment process.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, residents, project partners, and community members gathered for a community celebration featuring food, family-friendly activities, games, and opportunities to celebrate the future of Clinton Peabody.
“This groundbreaking marks a defining milestone for the Clinton-Peabody community,” said Latasha Barnes, SLHA Executive Director. “This project represents far more than new construction—it reflects our commitment to honoring the residents who have built this community and ensuring they remain at the heart of its future. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we have transformed a shared vision into meaningful action, creating new opportunities for families, strengthening neighborhoods, and laying the foundation for lasting growth, stability, and prosperity for generations to come.”
Phase 1 is the first step in a broader redevelopment effort designed to preserve long-term affordability, improve housing quality, strengthen neighborhood connections, and support resident well-being through thoughtful community-focused design.
The redevelopment is the result of a strong public-private partnership led by the SLHA and POAH, working alongside residents, public agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private sector partners to create a shared vision for Clinton Peabody’s future.
“Clinton-Peabody has long been an important part of St. Louis, and this redevelopment reflects what is possible when residents help shape the future of their community,” said Julie DeGraaf, Vice President of Community Redevelopment at Preservation of Affordable Housing. “We are proud to partner with the St. Louis Housing Authority and so many dedicated organizations to deliver high-quality affordable homes while preserving the community connections that make this neighborhood special. Today’s groundbreaking is just the beginning.”
For longtime residents, the groundbreaking represents both hope and affirmation that their voices have helped guide the redevelopment process.
“As someone who has lived at Clinton-Peabody for most of my life, it’s inspiring to see this day finally arrive,” said Pamela Emrick, Clinton-Peabody resident and Tenant Advisory Board President. “Residents have worked hard to share our ideas and hopes for the future, and it’s exciting to see those conversations becoming reality. This is about creating a community where families can continue to grow, children can thrive, and neighbors can feel proud to call Clinton-Peabody home.”
The $35 million redevelopment effort is being made possible through the collaboration and support of numerous public, private, and philanthropic partners, including: SLHA; POAH and POAH Communities; Clinton-Peabody residents and the Tenant Advisory Board; the Missouri Housing Development Commission; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration and Affordable Housing Commission; U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance; Arch to Park Equity Fund; BJC HealthCare; IFF; Metropolitan Sewer District; Ameren Missouri; Nestlé Purina; Leopardo Construction; Roanoke Construction; the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce and Unicorn Group; Key Strategic Group; Trivers; and Lamar Johnson Collaborative.
For more Clinton-Peabody updates, visit clintonpeabodystl.org.
