Benton Park West - Saint Louis, MO Review

Historic, diverse, and a good place to live.   This is what can be said about Benton Park West, Saint Louis MO.

Originating in the late 1800's and settled by predominately German immigrants, Benton Park West was a "work class" neighborhood.   While 20 years the neighborhood started into decline, in the last five years great strides have been made in rebuilding and revitalizing this great area.

With long-term residents and newer residents moving in each day, the fight to alleviate bad elements is nearing the end.  Four years ago the fight was hard as much drug sales and such were occurring.  With the dedication of the Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Stablization Officer, multiple Alderman, District Police and numerous developers this historic neighborhood has had the coats of paint peeled back to see once again the original patina of 100 years go.

In addition to the great living in Benton Park West, residents will find multiple shopping districts on each boundary of the neighborhood.  Historic Cherokee Street and the South Jefferson Corridor are sections of commercial districts which offer services from lawyers to American shopping, to an Arts and Theatre District, multiple Hispanic restaurants and shopping, American restaurants, coffee shops, a tailor, auto repair facility, variety and drug stores, etc.

New kitchen, new bathrooms, garage.... these are terms that many of the old south side Saint Louis neighborhoods haven't had in a long time. New blood of developers and residents are making headway to "clean-up" properties, inside and out, that have been left to deteriorate almost to non-existence. This deterioration comes from being vacant or landlords who have refused to any updating or upkeep on properties. This new blood has been seen over the past 3-5 years in Benton Park West.

The people you will encounter are not all the same. This is a diverse community by socio-economic standards, ethnicity, place in life (student, young professional, doctors, lawyers, policeman, artists, authors, etc.), religious and political ideals. With a strong neighborhood association having more than six standing committees and a variety of other sub-committees, the board is very pro-active in what is happening in the neighborhood. With a monthly 20 page publication/communications to the residents that is hand delivered to over half of the homes by a network of Block Links, Benton Park West invites all residents to communicate and give suggestions, wants/desires, and concerns. In addition there are the community gardens, proposed dog park, multiple types of house tours, annual membership appreciation dinner, annual yard sale, youth activities, safety and quality of life activities, working with associations from adjacent neighborhoods and business districts, etc. that roll up to a very sustainable, diverse community where the residents are proud of where they live.