Despite national economic and housing woes that restricted new residential development and limited mortgage financing for condominiums, people continued the decade long move back to the city's urban core. Since the year 2000, almost 5000 people have moved into downtown St. Louis.

Each year, the Partnership surveys the downtown real estate community to develop an informal but comprehensive "census" of occupancy for both for-sale and rental projects.  One of the most telling trends from the Partnership's latest annual Housing Report was the conversion of recently constructed or planned condominium developments to apartments.   As a result, the Partnership noted a significant reduction in inventory of new condominium offerings that reduced a potential oversupply while adding to the inventory of apartments.  And, despite the addition of 400 apartments in 2008, rental occupancy rates for apartments open a full year increased from 88% to 90%

The almost 12,000 downtown residents were attracted to new retail and restaurant offerings including over 100 shops, cafes and services added sine 2004.  Among the latest features cited as making downtown more livable are fitness centers, an animal hospital, an urgent care center, and added open spaces areas such as Old Post Office Plaza and CityGarden - both under construction and set to open shortly.  Also under construction is a Schnuck's market, bringing downtowners a full service grocery store.

The Downtown St. Louis Housing Report projects 225 new residential units will open in 2009 and 500 units will open in 2010. The complete report is available by clicking here. 

The 2009 Women's Final Four takes place April 5 and 7 at Scottrade Center and will welcome over 20,000 fans.  The event will be the 10th NCAA Division I Championship to take place in St. Louis this decade. Events people of all ages can enjoy during the Women's Final Four weekend in St. Louis include - the 4Kay Run; YES® Clinics; March to the Arch; Hoop City; Open Practice and Team Autograph Sessions ; and, the WBCA High School All-America Game.  Click here to chart your weekend fun.

Downtown is celebrating National Start Walking Day with a lunch time "Walk Out" on April 8, 2009 at Noon.  The American Heart Association, Citizen's For Modern Transit's Ten Toe Express and the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis are inviting downtown workers and residents to join us as we unveil a new Start! Walking path in downtown St. Louis, with a rally and inaugural walk.  Attendees will receive a free T-shirt and water bottle for participating in the rally and walk.  At the conclusion of the walk, free health screenings and healthy snacks will be provided by the Downtown Urgent Care Center. National Start! Walking Day, is a call-to-action for Americans to Start! getting healthy by incorporating at least 30 minutes of walking into their day.  The event will be held at the Old Post Office Plaza at 9th & Locust Streets.  Click here for the walking path. 

Ngage, a marketing firm who engages consumers through emerging media, has moved their new GREEN headquarters to the LEED Certified 411 Building at 411 North 10^th Street.  The 3 year old firm is the first tenant to move into the building where they occupy 10,000 square feet. The 411 Building was known as the Farm and Home Savings and Loan Building and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information, click here.

Since the launch of the "Scoop the Poop" campaign in 2008 which encourages dog owners to pick up after their pets, the downtown pet community has done their shared part to keep downtown streets clean.  To continue the awareness surrounding this effort, the Downtown Community Improvement District and Downtown Residents are launching Spring education walks surrounding the Downtown Canine Litter Campaign.

May 1^st and 2^nd volunteers will be canvassing the streets distributing free dog leash bag dispensers, informational brochures and posters to create awareness about the program. The Downtown CID will also place more "Scoop the Poop" stations (with disposal bags attached) around downtown in highly dog populated areas to make pickup easier.  For more information or to volunteer, contact Kelly Yeager at 314-436-6500 x 233 or click here. 

Each year the Downtown Community Improvement District holds two meetings (Spring and Fall) to keep the CID assessment payers abreast of our activities. This year's Spring meeting will be held April 29, 2009 at 4 and 6 pm. If you are a property owner and will be attending, please RSVP by clicking here.

The Citizens for Modern Transit has opened registration for their Spring Ten Toes Express Program. The Ten Toe Express Program is designed to help individuals integrate walking with public transit use to get around town. The program also promotes the health and well-being benefits of an alternative commute and hosts weekly Ten Toe Express Walking Tours. These tours are led by trained Ten Toe Leaders and allow residents to be part of a group as they better familiarize themselves on how easy it is to use the bus and MetroLink systems and best utilize local routes.  All Ten Toe Express registrants receive a FREE Ten Toe Express Walking Kit that includes a free tote bag, a pedometer, weekly walk logs and food diaries, MetroLink tickets and the book titled, "Get on Board the Ten Toe Express and Walk into a healthier you!" The spring program officially gets underway Saturday, April 18^th. For more information, click here.

The Time Boutique is partnering with Mosaic and Niche Home Furnishings for an afternoon of fashion and fine food on April 4, 2009.  The event kicks off with lunch at Mosaic where Time Boutique's 2009 Spring Collection and designers will be featured.  After lunch, Niche will unveil their new display at the Time Boutique.  The event is free but RSVPs are suggested by calling 314.974.TIME.

Arnold and Aundra Charleston have brought jazz back to the downtown scene with the newly opened St. Louis Jazz Café. The owners describe the jazz café as having a chic décor, soul touching ambiance and eclectic atmosphere. The café serves up a menu of French/Creole and American standards.  Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 4 pm - Midnight and Sunday Brunch 10 am - 2:30 pm.  Happy Hour is every Tuesday - Friday with free appetizers, martinis, wine and live music. 

The 3,400 square foot Smoking Joe's is the newest addition to the Tudor Building in Downtown West.  Traditional barbeque items from the menu include pull pork and chicken, smoked turkey, beef brisket, Joe's sausage and more.  Side items range from baked beans to corn on the cob.  The restaurant features live music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with a mix of jazz and blues.  Hours are Monday - Thursday, 11 am - 9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm.