Podcasts / The 314 Podcast / Why is Alex Oliver betting big on downtown St. Louis? Tune in to find out

Why is Alex Oliver betting big on downtown St. Louis? Tune in to find out

Property developer Alex Oliver of Oliver Properties joins Sarah Fenske to discuss downtown St. Louis’ challenges and potential. Plus, hear about a bizarre scandal involving Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.

by SLM Staff February 27, 2025 at 5:45 AM July 31, 2025

In this episode of The 314 Podcast, Sarah Fenske talks with Alex Oliver, who’s making a big bet on downtown St. Louis even as other developers pull out of the market. He discusses why he’s bullish on Wash Ave, the simple change that could help make downtown safer, and what he thinks city leaders got wrong in the Rams settlement fund debate.

Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the bizarre scandal that’s rocked the St. Louis Sheriff’s Office—and the systemic changes that could reform a troubled fiefdom.

Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

“The best analogy I have is that the city’s got a gas tank and currently there’s a hole in the gas tank. What are we doing to refill the tank? The tank is fed off of sales tax dollars, earnings tax dollars, property tax dollars, and if we’re losing jobs and we’re losing housing and we’re losing residents, those are the three revenue streams.” – Alex Oliver

This episode is sponsored by Cardinals Special Events and supported by STAGES St. Louis. Looking for an exciting event space for a rehearsal dinner, fundraiser, corporate function, or something in between? Bring your group to Busch Stadium for a uniquely St. Louis venue. Visit cardinals.com/events for more information.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

Be the first to hear new episodes of The 314 Podcast. Make sure to follow The 314 Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. And sign up for the St. Louis Daily newsletter by Sarah Fenske to be notified when episodes drop.

You may also enjoy these SLM stories:

About The Hosts

Sarah Fenske

Sarah Fenske is St. Louis Magazine‘s executive editor. She manages news and business coverage and edits The Daily newsletter. She’s been a reporter, columnist, newspaper editor, and radio host, and she is currently host of the monthly Legal Roundtable on St. Louis Public Radio and a panelist on Nine PBS’ Donnybrook. She lives in the city, where she attempts to juggle herding her kids to sports practice and swapping political gossip over a good martini.

Ryan Krull

Ryan Krull is a staff writer at St. Louis Magazine, writing for the The Daily newsletter. A graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, he taught there for many years before joining the staff of the Riverfront Times, where he was a reporter for the last years of the paper’s life. He lives near Tower Grove Park in the city with his wife and son.