New Signs, Community Center Coming to Lemay

The Lemay area is getting street, sidewalk and sign improvements, and it's making progress on designs for a community center.

Updates on the new projects were presented at a community meeting at Jefferson Barracks Visitors Center. to carry out projects to make social improvements to the area.

“Everywhere you turn in Lemay, there’s slow and steady revival,” said Denny Coleman, President of the St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC).

The council and Port Authority have been the driving force of these improvements with rent money from the development of Pinnacle’s River City Casino. 

“Thank you, Pinnacle!" said Betty Moleski, a Lemay resident since 1951.

Moleski attended the community meeting and said she was tired of the run-down reputation of the area.

“Most people grew up here and have come back. It’ll be helpful to see the houses fixed,” she said.

Community Center

When Lemay residents were asked what was most needed in the area, nearly all responded with a community center, said Andrew Ruben, the vice president of real estate and community development for the SLCEC.

Throughout the last year, the council created a public input committee and polled residents about the location, programs and facilities they’d want in a community center. The research showed people wanted a swimming pool, gym, indoor track and weights and wanted it to be located at the intersection of Kingston and Grant Road, just outside Jefferson Barracks.

Ruben said that land was already owned by the county, but had building difficulties of sinkholes and a pipeline. The estimated cost of the center was also $19 million.

The Port Authority gave the council $5 million for the construction on the community center and an extra $500,000 came from a federal grant to work on architecture and engineering, said Beth Letscher, the South County specialist for the SLCEC.

The SLCEC hired St. Louis-based design firm Cannon Design to put together plans for a center with costs of $5, $7 and $10 million. Cannon will revisit the preliminary study and design plans within the next three months.

“We’re very excited with all of the grants and community center. It’s sad they don’t have the $19 million,” said Sylvia Doucot, a lifetime Lemay resident.

Doucot said she’d also like to see a live theater or auditorium built in Lemay to host community plays. 

Street Improvements and Lemay Brand

New street signs and a logo will soon be seen in Lemay. 

The logo, designed by advertising firm Fleishman-Hillard, is part of an intense branding and marketing program to tout the area, Coleman said.

The council will work with local businesses to put up street banners and destination signs, following up with ornamental lights, road and sidewalk signs and monuments.

Future plans include sidewalk, curb and lighting improvements.

President of the Lemay Chamber of Commerce and owner of , Randy McArthur believes the branding will put misconceptions to bed and change the face of Lemay.

“South County has been neglected by St. Louis County,” he told Patch. “There are a lot of untapped resources in this part of the area. We have a lot of historic treasures.”

Building Improvements

The Lemay Façade Program gives businesses a chance to improve the front of their buildings with money from the Port Authority.

Available for amounts up to $10,000 for each business, the $100,000 grant can go to businesses on the commercial corridor of Lemay.

“We’ve done it before and had properties put up signage and awnings, new landscaping and improved the brick, windows and doors,” Letscher said, adding that improving properties and businesses will bring in more clients to the area. 

More information can be found on the area’s new website.