The Arch City Report

Earlier this year, Dominion Voting Systems, the company that won more than $800 million in settlements from lawsuits against 2020 election deniers, was acquired by a St. Louisan. This week, we talk to the buyer of the company to learn why he’s still raising issues of trust and transparency in marketing the newly renamed company.

Happy holidays from all of us at The St. Louis Business Journal!  On April 17th, the Art City Report offered a look into the early makings of Mayor Cara Spencer's administration, a brief forecast of an upcoming event on advanced manufacturing. But the real reason this episode is special is because of Nathan Rubbelke's reporting on what we call the Saviors of South King's Highway.

Brothers, Ivan and Berto Garcia have a really unique approach to taking risk in real estate investments in a way that is transforming a historic, yet sometimes forgotten St. Louis neighborhood.  Enjoy this "best of" episode from April and we'll be back with fresh episodes in 2026!

The Trump Administration’s crackdown on wokeness has put some of America’s elite academic institutions in crisis. But here in St. Louis, Chancellor Andrew Martin has become one of the leading voices for reform. This week, he sits down with the Arch City Report to explain whether doing so raises WashU’s profile for the better. 

A major downtown stakeholder is waging a campaign to get the FBI to change how it tallies crime statistics for St. Louis. It’s part of a wider series of efforts to revive downtown. This week, we offer details from an event focused solely on those topics. 

This week's guest, Ron Kitchens, the new CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc., discusses his vision for the organization and the St. Louis region. He emphasizes the importance of job creation and economic growth, the need to reframe the national perception of St. Louis, and the role of private sector investment in revitalizing the community. Kitchens also shares insights from his previous experiences, including the successful Kalamazoo Promise program, and how similar initiatives could benefit St. Louis.

At a Business Journal event, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer offered insight and ideas for tackling some of St. Louis’ biggest challenges, from downtown to tornado recovery to fixing city schools. This week, we get into the details on some of her most eyebrow-raising notions. 

Show LInks:

Stories written from Mayoral interview:

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2025/11/21/spencer-goal-restore-trust-city.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2025/11/20/mayor-floats-free-college-boost-city-st-louis.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2025/11/21/mayor-post-tornado-rebound-would-help-whole-region.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2025/11/20/mayor-calls-regions-biggest-firms-downtown.html

Episode 47 EXTRA: Hear the full, hour-long discussion between St. Louis Mayor, Cara Spencer and Business Journal Editor Erik Siemers in front of a live audience. 

Lambert airport is poised to get its biggest makeover ever, with a new $3 billion terminal. But one thing that won’t be part of it is a place where all rental car companies can operate, maybe walkable from that new terminal. Right now, rental car companies operate from six separate facilities a shuttle ride from the airport. We talk about how Enterprise Rent-a-Car wants a fix for that as part of the new terminal.

Downtown St. Louis suffered a major loss last week when one of its highest-profile tenants announced it was leaving. But one of the leaders trying to turn the neighborhood around says everything is going just fine. This week, we go inside that story and some other mixed messages on the status of downtown St. Louis. 

The conversation explores the recent announcement of Peabody Energy's move from downtown St. Louis, the implications of corporate exits on the area, and the efforts of Kurt Weigel from Greater St. Louis, Inc. to revitalize downtown through residential development and community engagement. The discussion also touches on the mixed messages regarding the success of Ballpark Village as an entertainment hub amidst ongoing challenges in the downtown area.

Since it was established in 2002, the city’s Cortex innovation district has been home to more than $2 billion in construction. This week, the CEO of the district tells us whether to expect more projects in coming years. 

Episode Summary:

The conversation explores the Cortex Innovation District's development, the importance of eminent domain, current projects, demand for lab space, community engagement, and funding strategies. Sam Fiorello discusses the challenges and opportunities within the district, emphasizing the need for continued growth and support for innovation in St. Louis.

Takeaways:

Cortex Innovation District has 42 buildings and 400 companies.
Eminent domain is rarely used but is an important tool.
90% of commercial space in Cortex is currently filled.
There is a high demand for lab space post-pandemic.
Cortex aims to accommodate growing life science companies.
Community engagement has shifted post-COVID.
Cortex is not just about real estate; it's about innovation.
Funding and grants are crucial for workforce training.
The Square One program supports local entrepreneurs.
Cortex is focused on building a strong community identity.