SLU's Midtown Redevelopment Corporation Honored as MOKAN Developer of the Year

02/25/2021

MOKAN, the St. Louis Construction Contractors Assistance Center, honored Saint Louis University's Midtown Redevelopment Corporation as its 2020 developer of the year. The award was presented during MOKAN’s virtual 46th anniversary and awards benefit dinner.

SLU was honored for its commitment to using minority and women-owned construction firms in all Midtown Redevelopment Corporation projects. The Corporation has a community benefits agreement to promote women and minority participation in projects. As part of the agreement, SLU and SSM Health also provide financial support to pre-apprenticeship training programs. 

Additional 2020 MOKAN honorees included:

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Marlene Davis, alderwoman, 19th Ward, City of St. Louis
• General Contractor Award - HBD Construction Company
• Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Award - I-270 Design Build Project
• WBE Contractor of the Year - All-Set LLC
• MBE Contractor of the Year - Grice Group Architects

The full awards ceremony is available on YouTube. Brooks Goedeker (MSW ’04), executive director of the Redevelopment Corporation, accepts SLU’s award at the 48 minute mark of the video.

In 2017, the University established the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation through Chapter 353 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri — known as the “Urban Redevelopment Corporation Law.” As the area’s master developer, SLU has the authority to grant limited financial incentives and has final say in all new projects.

In 2018, the SLU community and supporting institutions voted to name Prospect Yards, a half-mile area bordered by Laclede Avenue, Chouteau Avenue, Grand Boulevard and Vandeventer and Spring avenues. The area also includes the Armory District and The Foundry. 

In 2019, SLU selected a real estate/development firm to acquire the rights to purchase and develop a 14-acre property at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Chouteau Avenue.

The boundaries of the redevelopment area stretch from 39th Street, Spring Avenue and Vandeventer Avenue on the west; to Compton Avenue on the east; and from Laclede Avenue and Interstate 64 on the north; to Park Avenue and Interstate 44 on the south. Immediately west of the redevelopment area is the Cortex Innovation Community, of which SLU is a founding institution.

MOKAN Construction and Contractors Assistance Center

Since 1946, MOKAN Construction and Contractors Assistance Center has been at the forefront of efforts to provide opportunities for MBE and WBE contractors. MOKAN’s mission is to serve as an advocate and negotiator for the inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses in construction projects.