People and Economic Development
Spanish Lake faces challenges such as population loss, older homes, and limited commercial areas and jobs, but it also has unique strengths. By building on its natural areas, parks, redevelopment sites, and strengthening community partnerships, Spanish Lake can create a resilient community for the future.
All data sources can be found in the full report.
Key Takeaways
Population loss, aging housing, and limited retail/jobs are straining Spanish Lake's economy and community life.
Natural assets, floodplains, and disconnected neighborhoods shape both the challenges and opportunities for growth.
WildCare Park, Jamestown Mall, and vacant land offer major redevelopment and eco-tourism potential.
A town center, better transit, and public-private partnerships can anchor a more connected, resilient future.
Issues
Spanish Lake's population dropped from over 21,000 residents in 2000 to about 17,873 in 2024. The community has an aging population and fewer young families than in the past.
This shrinking population base reduces the local workforce, school enrollment, and consumer spending that support neighborhood businesses and services.*
Population Decline Reduces Workforce, School Enrollment, and Commercial Support
*Data sources noted in full report
Economic and Workforce Mismatch with Skills and Emerging Industries
Median household income in Spanish Lake is about $56,000, lagging behind both county and national averages.
Only about 14% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Many residents work in lower-wage sectors, reflecting a mismatch between current job skills and the region's emerging industries.*
*Data sources noted in full report
Neighborhood Fragmentation and Lack of Town Center Limits Connections
Spanish Lake's neighborhoods are physically separated by highways and natural barriers, limiting connection between them.
The community lacks a central gathering place for events, services, or civic life.
This fragmentation weakens the social cohesion and shared identity that could otherwise unite the community.
Spanish Lake Zoning Map
Housing Market Distress Impacts Investment
The median home value in Spanish Lake is about $135,000—less than half the county average. Much of the housing stock dates to the 1950s, with high vacancy rates and deferred maintenance, and nearly half of all households are renters.
Limited new construction combined with high repair costs continues to discourage private investment in the area.
Existing St. Louis County Multifamily Rental Development Patterns by Vintage
Retail Leakage and Obsolete Commercial Districts Impacts Local Spending
Many Spanish Lake residents travel to nearby Alton, IL, and Florissant, MO, for shopping and services, causing retail dollars to leak out of the community.
Existing commercial corridors are auto-oriented and outdated, lacking the pedestrian-friendly design and modern amenities that could keep spending local.
This leakage also represents an opportunity: well-designed, mixed-use corridors could capture this unmet regional demand.
About 75% of Spanish Lake workers drive alone to work, while 11% carpool and 10% work from home.
Limited public transit combined with unsafe walking and biking conditions isolates residents and limits access to jobs.
Key corridors like Bellefontaine Road and Riverview Drive lack the multi-modal infrastructure (like bus, pedestrian, or biking facilities) needed to connect people to opportunities.
Poor Mobility and Transit Access Creates Barriers to Growth
St. Louis Metro System Map (showing service in southern portion of Spanish Lake Study Area)
Environmental Constraints and Flood Risks Create Development Challenges
Spanish Lake sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, surrounded by thousands of acres of wetlands and parkland.
These floodplains and wetlands restrict where development can occur and require costly infrastructure investment to manage flood risk.
At the same time, the area's parks and natural assets are under-maintained and often lack safe access for residents.
Vacant and Underutilized Land Await Development
The 144-acre Jamestown Mall site and the I-270/Riverview corridor represent large vacant parcels awaiting redevelopment.
Numerous smaller vacant lots and derelict buildings throughout the community create blight and discourage new investment.
Redeveloping these sites will require both environmental cleanup and new infrastructure.
Infrastructure Deficits Affect Resiliency and Growth
Roads, stormwater systems, and utilities across Spanish Lake need upgrades to support future development and withstand flooding.
While 92% of households subscribe to broadband, access remains uneven, leaving digital gaps in the community.
The lack of robust transit and digital infrastructure limits residents' access to jobs and services.
Limited funding and staffing make it harder to maintain infrastructure, provide services, and invest in community improvements.
Revitalization is unlikely to happen through private investment alone. Public funding, grants, and partnerships will be important to support redevelopment.
These resource limitations also make it more difficult to plan, launch, and complete new projects.
Limited Resources and Capacity Affect Implementation
Opportunities
Rehabilitate Housing Stock and Increase Affordability
Expanding housing choices through new construction, rehabilitation, and accessory dwelling units can address Spanish Lake's housing challenges.
Tax abatements and funding for low- to moderate-income households can help residents make repairs without raising taxes.
Encouraging mixed-income and affordable housing in the town center and redevelopment sites can support inclusive growth.
Revitalize Commercial Corridors
Corridors like Bellefontaine, Larimore, Lindbergh, and Redman have the potential to become vibrant mixed-use districts with shops, housing, and public gathering spaces. Expanding the mix of retail, restaurants, and services can better serve residents and attract visitors from across the region.
Streetscape improvements, wayfinding, and cohesive branding can help create welcoming, walkable destinations that support local businesses.
Enhance Workforce Development and Education Opportunities
Partnering with schools and colleges to offer training in hospitality, tourism, conservation, ag-tech, and green jobs can prepare residents for emerging opportunities.
Youth employment and entrepreneurship programs can retain young residents in the community.
Connecting residents to jobs at WildCare Park, the redeveloped Jamestown Mall, and other emerging industries will be key to long-term success.
Develop a Town Center with Community Amenities
Developing a central town center—with a park, recreation center, library, and meeting spaces—would give Spanish Lake a true community hub.
This space could provide a safe gathering place for events, markets, and cultural programming.
A town center can also anchor new housing and retail while connecting surrounding neighborhoods.
The WildCare Park as an Eco‑Tourism Catalyst
The St. Louis Zoo's 425-acre WildCare Park will open in 2027, featuring guided safaris, trails, and an observation tower.
The park is expected to generate over $600 million in regional economic impact and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Linking park visitors to Spanish Lake businesses through branded marketing and shuttle connections can help the community capture this opportunity.
Preserve and Leverage Natural Assets
Spanish Lake is home to thousands of acres of parks, wetlands, and conservation areas offering boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Creating continuous greenways and trails can connect neighborhoods to these natural spaces.
Promoting stewardship and ecotourism can build community pride while attracting new visitors.
Champion I-270/Riverview Redevelopment
Transit-oriented development along I-270/Riverview would connect this district to WildCare Park and regional jobs.
Incentives and public-private partnerships can help attract developers while ensuring inclusive outcomes.
The redevelopment of the Jamestown Mall is a factor that would impact the development of Spanish Lake and should be taken into account when considering future economic development opportunities.
Infrastructure and Transit Improvements Support Resiliency and Mobility
Implementing complete streets on Bellefontaine Road and Riverview Drive—with sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus shelters—would improve safety and mobility.
Shuttle services connecting neighborhoods to the town center, WildCare Park, and regional transit lines can expand access.
Continued investment in flood mitigation, broadband, and utilities will support new development.
Create and Sustain Tools for Partnerships and Governance
Forming public-private partnerships with St. Louis County, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and local organizations will be essential to implementation.
Tools like community improvement districts, transportation development districts, and tax increment financing can help fund projects.
Engaging residents in planning and decision-making will help ensure equitable outcomes.
Support an Inclusive Economic Development Strategy
Supporting local entrepreneurs through business incubators, micro-loans, and technical assistance can strengthen the local economy from within.
Marketing Spanish Lake's assets can help attract new industries such as ag-tech, entertainment, and eco-tourism.
Prioritizing equity by supporting small businesses and creating opportunities for existing residents will ensure that growth benefits the whole community.
