By Traci Angel
St. Louis’ creep westward has proved to be a huge boost for the burg of St. Peters. More than 57,000 people make their home there today, up from 486 in 1970, and the number is still growing. Affordable housing—a median average price of around $115,000 in 2000—plus plenty of building space is pulling many out of the inner metropolitan area to this town off Interstate 70.
Among St. Peters’ recent developments is “The Station,” a complex at Jungermann and McClay roads. Built by the same folks who gave Maryland Heights West Port Plaza, the mall is set south of Mexico Road.
Controversy continues to swirl around the proposed Lakeside 370 Business Park, which needs approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to build a four-mile levee to protect the floodplain located at Highway 370 and I-70. The $350 million commercial and entertainment project is predicted to create up to 10,000 new jobs and generate $15 million in new tax revenue over the next two decades. Retail, hotel, office and industrial businesses could all find a home here. City residents approved a $35 million bond issue for the project four years ago and $71 million in tax increment financing was also approved for the site. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, which is headed by Adolphus Busch IV, has objected to the development and in December filed a lawsuit against the city to stop the project. Mayor Shawn Brown, who unseated 20-year mayor Tom Brown in the April elections, also opposes Lakeside 370.
Despite its progress and growth and a median age of just under 33 years, St. Peters is very much a settled place, with 61 percent of its older residents married.
One of its most beautiful and biggest landmarks is All Saints Catholic Church (7 McMenamy, 636-397-1440), towering above the residential area south of I-70. The parish dates back to 1816, and the grounds, including a school and cemetery, tell a story of its German-immigrant influence. At one time, the church had more than 1,500 families listed among its parishioners.
One of the biggest events to happen in St. Peters in 2004 was the hosting of the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials at the Rec-Plex (5200 Mexico Road, 636-939-2FUN), one of the top recreational facilities in the area.
A stop for any shopper here is Westfield Shoppingtown Mid Rivers (1600 Mid Rivers Mall, 636-970-2610), with its dozens of shops, including many specialty stores.
For some fun, check out a local band at Sally T’s (6 Main, 636-397-5383, www.sallyts.com), boasting healthy sandwiches and soups to wash down with a selection of 99 kinds of beer. For pubs without attitude, hop from Elmer’s Tavern (8 Main, 636-397-9592) to Shane & Wiese’s (4 Main, 636-397-0047). They will both make you appreciate the small-town charm of St. Peters.
