AARP Grants Help Revitalize Public Spaces in Missouri

The historic Soulard neighborhood in St. Louis is known for its brick buildings, decorative wrought iron fences, a vibrant farmers market, and live blues and jazz. But the nearby MetroBus stop looks run-down.

“There’s no trees for shade. It’s not a fun place to be,” says Charlene Wall, a 70-year-old retired teacher who moved with her husband from the suburbs to St. Louis nearly a decade ago, in part to take advantage of public transit as the couple gets older.

But the bus stop will soon get an upgrade thanks to a renovation, partially funded by a $20,000 AARP Community Challenge grant. Citizens for Modern Transit is leading the project, which includes adding a new shelter with seating, artist-designed signage, a concrete walkway and greenery.

The nonprofit is one of six entities around the state this year to receive AARP Community Challenge grants—totaling $61,050. The program funds local projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement, among other goals. Nationally, AARP awarded $3.8 million in grants for 343 projects.

The Soulard bus stop facelift will cost $86,800 in all, with the additional funding provided by Citizens for Modern Transit and local community groups. It marks the fourth transit stop renovation by Citizens for Modern Transit with the help of AARP grants.

The goal is to make the stops “more a part of the fabric of the community and really change the dialogue around public transit,” says Kim Cella, the nonprofit’s executive director.

Cella notes such improvements often spark further investment, as demonstrated by the city of St. Louis’ commitment to replace the sidewalk adjacent to the stop.

AARP Missouri State Director Craig Eichelman says notifying Community Challenge grant winners is “one of the best set of phone calls” he makes each year.

The grants offer a unique opportunity for groups to improve their communities, using a small amount of money to get big results. “Every year, you really get to see some brick and mortar changes that are taking place in large and small communities,” Eichelman says.

'A welcome place'

In Unionville near the Iowa border, a $4,300 AARP grant helped the Putnam County Senior Citizens Organization buy new tables and chairs, two gliding benches, lights and ceiling fans for the covered patio outside its cafe in downtown. The group serves 40,000 free meals to older adults each year.

With seating for about 14 people now, the patio is well used during meal service, says Mary Clapham, the organization’s administrator. The space also doubles as a gathering area during downtown events, such as parades and a weekend farmers market.

“We needed something more inviting for families, more inviting for seniors—just a welcome place,” she says.

The Unionville project also inspired a local resident to donate a third gliding bench in memory of a loved one.

Other 2024 grant recipients in Missouri:

• Community Forward Inc. in Ferguson, will use a $2,500 grant to offer training on home modifications that enable older residents to live in their homes longer. Courses will focus on energy efficiency, renovation and remodeling resources, and inexpensive projects.
• The Active Aging Resource Center, in Gallatin, will use $6,500 in funding to boost safety and amenities with lighting and outdoor seating and a table to encourage visitors to socialize.
• The city of Harrisonville will use the $15,000 it received to improve safety at the city park by expanding sidewalks; that will eliminate the need for people to walk in the road along an 800-foot portion of the park.
• Urban Harvest STL, in St. Louis, will use its $12,750 grant to improve a community garden that provides food for families in need by adding raised garden beds, seating and a generator.

The grants are a part of AARP’s Livable Communities initiative.

Stacey Shepard, a California-based journalist, writes about health care, the environment and other issues.

More on Livability

• AARP Livable Communities Map
• AARP Livability Index
• AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
  
  What Is a Livable Community?