The St. Louis County Board approved multiple infrastructure and cultural investments at its final meeting of 2025, including a GMP contract for depot upgrades, a $100,000 contract to support film and arts activities and acceptance of a $100,000 donation from the St. Louis County Historical Society.

Depot project: Administrators asked the board to authorize county officials to enter a guaranteed maximum price contract with Johnson Wilson Constructors to restore HVAC and complete parallel work at the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (the Depot). Administrator Kevin Gray said the contract came in under estimates and will stabilize building systems that have limited use of the facility. Director Mary Tennis and historical‑society leadership expressed support; the board approved the contract unanimously.

Film/arts funding: The board approved a contract committing up to $100,000 to the Upper Midwest Film Office (AMFO) to support film festivals, art schools and workforce development. Administrator Gray said the language was revised to provide flexibility for the organization to direct funds to the county’s highest‑priority uses within board direction.

Historical society donation and fiscal-agency action: The board also accepted a $100,000 restricted donation from the St. Louis County Historical Society to support new exhibits, and authorized the county to serve as fiscal agent for the 'County Built on Iron' funds set aside by the legislature (approximately $30.6 million), with administration seeking authorization for temporary expenditures (staff explained a reimbursement model for bonding/GO appropriations).

Why it matters: The votes secure funding and contracts to preserve a historic county asset, support arts and workforce programming, and establish financial stewardship for a large state appropriation tied to the county’s heritage projects. Board members stressed collaborative relationships between staff, tenants and community partners.