PHOTOS: Downtown St. Louis is showing very encouraging signs of progress. The SLMPD has dramatically increased its manpower and adapted its tactics to make downtown safer. Organizations like Downtown Forward are working successfully behind the scenes to rid downtown of bad businesses like vape shops, the Mark Twain hotel, and others whose customers contribute to public disorder and criminal activity. City government is becoming an active and engaged partner. Developers like Alex Oliver and AHM understand that they are building a neighborhood, not just buying a project to generate short-term cash for investors. An active neighborhood organization with over 500 members brings residents and small businesses together to share information, enjoy social activities and advocate for downtown. But restoring the reputation and growth of downtown St. Louis will not be done with press releases, trophy projects that require massive public subsidies, or through meetings and pronouncements by leaders who won’t live or locate their businesses here. The work of reinvigorating our downtown starts with doing the work “below the waterline” that creates enduring conditions for growth. We need to stop dismissing downtown problems as “perception”. There are too many vacant storefronts, boarded up windows, empty offices, and graffiti-covered abandoned structures. There is far too much panhandling, drug dealing & using, mental illness, and people sleeping on public sidewalks. Marketing that ignores these issues is simply not authentic. Let’s focus on the real work that will ultimately create growth and vibrancy. It may not make for a great press release, but it can make a great downtown. #Citizens4STL @MikeLKehoe @AGCHanaway @SLMPD @MitchellMcCoy @CFDstlfd @saintlouismayor @saintlouispres @SLDCmo @DevelopStLouis @AlderSheenBean @JamiCMichele @LishaLiberty @shanecohn @VDanielaV @Schweitzer88 @OldenburgSTL @STL4Ward @schubbard10 @boydstuff @GreaterSTLinc @CommerceBank @enterprisecares @Cardinals @horseshoestl @Advantes @UnionStationSTL @HiltonBallpark @AquariumSTL @Stifel @SchnuckMarkets @DowntownStLouis @stlcid @carolinehecker @charliekmox @andybankertv @rlippmann @solomonreports @DavidAmelottiTV @MarkMaxwellTV @ChrisHayesTV @RyanWKrull @kevinmcdermott @davidhoffmannmo