Florissant’s Rue St. Denis Reconstruction Project Signals Major Old Town Revitalization

The City of Florissant is embarking on a transformative infrastructure initiative with the launch of the St. Denis Phase II Reconstruction Project, a federally funded effort aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility, and stormwater management in the heart of Old Town Florissant.

🚧 Project Scope and Objectives

The reconstruction focuses on Rue St. Denis, stretching from North Lafayette Street to North New Florissant Road. Planned upgrades include:

• Resurfacing the roadway to improve driving conditions

• Installing new curbs and gutters, including curb bump-outs for traffic calming

• Adding marked on-street parking spaces

• Replacing and expanding sidewalks, especially on the north side to boost pedestrian access

• Storm sewer improvements to address longstanding drainage issues City of Florissant, Missouri  FOX 2

These enhancements are designed to make the corridor safer and more navigable for both drivers and pedestrians, while also modernizing aging infrastructure.

🏛️ Federal Funding and Community Engagement

The project is supported by federal transportation funds under designation STP-5622 (603), reflecting its regional significance. To foster transparency and gather input, the city hosted a public open house on October 16, 2025, at the JJE Community Center. Residents were invited to review plans and voice concerns or suggestions City of Florissant, Missouri  flovalleynews.com.

🗣️ Mixed Reactions from Residents

While many locals welcome the improvements, citing overdue repairs and enhanced walkability, others have expressed concerns about:

• Disruption to traffic and businesses during construction

• Potential loss of historic character in Old Town

• Uncertainty about long-term maintenance and costs

City officials, including Joe Vrabel, emphasized the importance of balancing modernization with community preservation: “We’re putting sidewalks in on the north side for increased pedestrian use. And we’re also doing resurfacing on the whole section road that’s within the project,” Vrabel told FOX 2 News.

🏙️ A Vision for the Future

This makeover is part of a broader effort to revitalize Old Town Florissant, making it more attractive for residents, visitors, and businesses. With improved infrastructure, the city hopes to stimulate economic activity and reinforce its commitment to sustainable urban planning.

As construction progresses, Florissant residents will be watching closely to see how the project reshapes their historic neighborhood. For updates and future public meetings, residents can visit the City of Florissant’s official site.