Starting in January with the Women’s March in downtown St. Louis, the opening of a few new businesses and 2 new apartment projects in the neighborhood, the election of Central West Ender Lyda Krewson as the 46th mayor of St. Louis, and capped off with the recent appointment of another CWEnder, John Hayden, as Chief of Police, 2017 has been a year filled with many high notes, and some challenging moments as well.
Sifting through this year’s posts, here are some of the most memorable:
January’s Women’s March in St. Louis.
September’s protests in the CWE.
28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson swearing in as Mayor of City of St. Louis.
And just last week, CWEnder Major John Hayden, shown with Laura Locke at 2014’s National Night Out held at the Neighborhood Security Initiative, was named Chief of the St. Louis Police Department. Read a related editorial in St. Louis Post-Dispatch here.
In July, Heather Navarro was elected to fill Lyda Krewson’s seat on the Board of Alderman. She is photographed with 25th Ward Alderman Shane Cohn at the grand opening of the reconfigured intersection of Kingshighway and Forest Park Parkway, thanks to BJC Healthcare, Washington University School of Medicine and the City of St. Louis).
Construction projects:
In 2017, ground was broken for 4101 Laclede (at Sarah Ave.), developers Austin Barzantny and Michael Gringrich’s 54-unit condominium project that’s well under construction as we head into the New Year. Opus Development Company’s Citizen Park, a 217-unit apartment project opened last June at Euclid Ave. & Lindell Blvd., and Rothschild Development’s The Milton, a 29-unit apartment opened at 4534 Olive St.
Sam Koplar announced plans for construction of a 7-story, 192-room AC Hotel by Marriott on York Avenue between Maryland Plaza and Lindell Blvd.
Shop & restaurant news:
Lemon Spalon moved from 324 N. Euclid a block south to 236 N. Euclid. Mike’s Bikes, 322 N. Euclid, then expanded its operation upstairs into Lemon Spalon’s former space. Treats Unleashed opened at 22 N. Euclid, and CWE Veterinary Clinic opened in the Lindell Marketplace, 4131 Lindell Blvd. The Gentleman Quilter opened at 4814 Washington Avenue, and two national chains have chosen the CWE for their 1st St. Louis locations, Bonobos and Warby Parker.
The Gamlin Brothers opened their 3rd restaurant in the CWE, 1764 Public House at Euclid and West Pine Aves.
While across the street, Danny Meyer opened the 1st Shake Shack in his native St. Louis. Tazé Mediterranean Street Food opened at 8 1/2 S. Euclid, and PokeDoke opened next door at 8 S. Euclid, just north of Forest Park Blvd.
Events:
One weekend in June drew huge crowds to the Central West End Association’s House Tour on Fullerton’s Westminster Place, 
and to the 2nd annual CWE Cocktail Party on Euclid Avenue, above. 
The 1st annual CWE BookFest STL, brought many booklovers to the neighborhood one very warm September weekend. The event was so successful, planning began the very next day for 2018’s BookFest. The photo above shows a crowd gathered for the dedication of the William Burroughs sculpture alongside Left Bank Books.
There is more to come, including some exciting announcements for 2018, which I’ll be sharing over the next few weeks.
Wishing you warmer weather and a Happy New Year.