CannonDesign team selected to lead sustainability plan update for City of St. Louis

An aerial view of the City of St. Louis skyline including the Gateway Arch

December 12, 2024

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We’re excited to announce that CannonDesign, in partnership with BluePoint Planning, Blackrock Consulting, Verdical Group and Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, has been selected by the City of St. Louis to lead the development of an updated sustainability plan.

Spearheaded by the City’s Planning & Urban Design Agency and Office of Sustainability, this effort will build on St. Louis' existing sustainability leadership, incorporating advanced strategies for climate adaptation, community development and equity to create a thriving future for all residents.

The updated plan will expand on the city’s award-winning 2013 Sustainability Plan. With numerous sustainability initiatives underway across the city, it will bring these efforts together into a unified vision with actionable steps, while also identifying opportunities for improvement. Priorities include addressing climate change, restoring the natural environment, and meeting the economic and social needs of the city's residents.

Testimonials

  • This project is an incredible opportunity to help the City of St. Louis and its residents take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable and equitable future. We’re committed to working with community members, city officials and key stakeholders to create a plan that not only addresses pressing environmental issues but also improves quality of life for everyone in St. Louis, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods.

    Eric Corey Freed CannonDesign's Director of Sustainability

A key component of the updated plan will be the creation of a 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory to quantify current emissions within the city, along with a detailed implementation strategy that supports green jobs, resilient infrastructure and biodiversity — all while emphasizing community engagement and economic justice. The plan will align with other ongoing city initiatives, such as the Strategic Land Use Plan and the Citywide Transportation & Mobility Plan.

The CannonDesign team, comprising both local and national partners, was established through our firm's Inclusive Partner Program (IPP). This program cultivates meaningful partnerships with minority-owned businesses, fostering opportunities for collaboration and shared growth.

"As we look to the future in the City of St. Louis, planning and sustainability go hand in hand," said Elysia M. Russell, Sustainability Director for the City of St. Louis. "We're excited to hit the ground running with CannonDesign and its partners to guide our community toward a more sustainable future."

Our partnership with the City of St. Louis on the updated sustainability plan builds on sustainability planning work we’ve successfully led for cities, campuses and organizations across the country, including Cortex Innovation District, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, CHOC Children's Hospital, University at Buffalo, Pace University, Long Beach Unified School District and Seton Hall University, among others.

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