Historic neighborhoods

The core neighborhoods where Lutheran Development Group (LDG) works are Dutchtown, Gravois Park, and Benton Park West. These neighborhoods were established in the mid 19th Century, therefore many of the buildings we renovate are over 100 years old, if not much older.  Further complicating our efforts, typically these buildings were vacant or abandoned prior to renovation.  LDG is working to bring financial resources back into these communities with safe, affordable homes and increased educational and economic opportunities.

Planning for the future
By creating affordable housing, expanding the capacity of neighborhood organizations, supporting educational opportunities, recruiting job creators, resident-informed planning, and remediating blight, we hope that the neighborhood can be a strong, stable, and sustainable environment for the households living there now and for generations to come.

Dutchtown

With early German-American roots, the Dutchtown neighborhood was established in the early 19-century. It was the original site of Concordia Seminary (now located in Clayton, MO), Concordia Publishing House, and Lutheran Hospital, to name a few. Dutchtown has a population of over 15,000 and covers approximately 1.5 square miles. At its center is Marquette Park, a neighborhood gathering place featuring a swimming pool, recreation center, playground, tennis courts, field house, and amble greens to play and relax.

Gravois Park

Gravois Park is a historic neighborhood made up of homeowners, renters, and businesses. The neighborhood’s borders are the popular thoroughfares of Jefferson Avenue, Chippewa Street, Grand Boulevard, and Cherokee Street. Its namesake, Gravois Park, dates back to 1812 with a grant made by the US government. Historically, the area was hailed for its beauty and considered an ideal vision for the future of the city. The Gravois Park neighborhood has a population of over 4,000 and covers almost a half square mile.

Benton Park West

Located south of Gravois (historic Missouri Route 30), Benton Park West was formed by two prominent 1970s neighborhoods, Compton Hill and Marquette-Cherokee. With deep historical roots, Cherokee Street is home to a wide variety of local art galleries, bakeries, restaurants, and grocery and retail stores. Named on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2005, the neighborhood is home to many long-held festivals, such as Cinco De Mayo. Benton Park West has a population of over 4,000 and covers almost a half square mile.

Expanding to North city

In December 2021, Lutheran Development Group (LDG) learned it was awarded the Baden School project. The primary funding source for the Baden Apartments project is the sale of federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) through the highly competitive process with the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC). This renovation will take place from 2022-2023.