St. Louis Gets Another “Great Street” But That’s Not the Good News

So Washington Avenue from the Eads Bridge to 18th Street has been named an American Planning Association Top 10 Great Street for 2011. It's a well-deserved award that recognizes the near two-decade effort to revitalize the city's once thriving garment district. And the work continues with MX opening an Embassy Suites hotel, Pi restaurant, a movie theater and blues museum at the once-dead eastern end of the street.

The recognition is valuable as a market tool to conventions, businesses and residents. But what's really exciting is the city's newfound ability to inject itself into the national conversation. We know that some of our streets are world-class, attractive, vibrant places. We know that our parks, entertainment venues and cultural attractions are some of the very best in the country. We know that the local art scene and urbanist activist groups are producing great work. What we haven't known, is how to tell our story, to ourselves and to others.