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Committee backs Bloomberg Sustainable Cities initiative technical assistance and funding
Summary
The committee supported Board Bill 47 to accept Bloomberg Philanthropies Sustainable Cities assistance — a three‑year initiative that offers grant funding plus a three‑person technical team to help St. Louis plan climate, air and water quality, and resilience projects.
The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee voted to advance Board Bill 47, accepting participation in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Sustainable Cities initiative, a three‑year program that pairs grant funding with a multidisciplinary technical assistance team.
Alderman Browning, who presented the item, said the initiative is a competitive program that will bring resources and a three‑person team to assist city staff and community partners with planning and project development for cleaner air and water, climate resilience and equitable economic benefits. “This particular grant addresses this in four core ways,” Browning said, listing local solution advancement, increased capacity across departments, strengthened community partnerships and dissemination of lessons learned.
Committee members praised the sustainability office and said the extra capacity is needed. Vice Chair Sayegh said she was “glad to see us doing this” and urged the city to continue sustainability work. Alderman Aldridge noted the grant is helpful but cautioned that “nothing ain't free,” an observation that committee members said recognizes grant conditions and city responsibilities.
The committee moved Board Bill 47 with a do‑pass recommendation; the record shows the item advanced with committee support and cosponsors from several members.
Why it matters: The Bloomberg program pairs funding with staff support and technical assistance; local officials said the combination would help the city develop projects and administrative capacity in areas where municipal departments have limited personnel resources.
