About The
Cherokee CID

The Cherokee CID Mission

The Cherokee
CID Mission

The Cherokee Street Community Improvement District was established in 2017 by the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen (City Ordinance 70461) to advance the economic, social and cultural interests of the Cherokee Street community. The CID works to achieve this mission by supporting a diverse, independent business community, creating beautiful, safe and active public spaces, and fostering a culture of creativity and empowerment in and around Cherokee Street.

What is a Community Improvement District?

A Community Improvement District is a public entity created by property owners and businesses within a defined geographic area to invest in the quality and vitality of their neighborhood. CIDs are authorized under Missouri's CID Act (RSMo 67.1401) and can fund public improvements and services through a sales tax and/or special assessment collected within the district's boundaries.

How It Works

The Cherokee Street CID raises revenue through taxes, and spends the revenue on district improvements. CID expendiatures are directed and overseen by a 13-member Board of Directors. Directors are appointed by the Mayor of St. Louis with the consent of the Board of Aldermen. Board members must be property owners, business operators, or registered voters within the district.

The Cherokee Street CID is distinct from Cherokee Street Foundation, the nonprofit which oversees the major events on Cherokee (inc. Print Bazaar, Common Thread, etc.). The CID provides some support to CSF, but event direction is guided by the CSF board.

What does the CID do?

The CID board oversees the district budget, properties, and strategic initiatives to ensure resources are invested in ways that support and strengthen the corridor. These investments include beautification and landscaping, safety initiatives, grant programs for businesses, public arts, the renovation of Love Bank Park, event support, and more.

Who staffs the CID?

The CID has 3 employees: the Executive Director, the Business Development Specialist, and the Events Coordinator. The Events Coordinator is assigned by the CID board to work at the direction of Cherokee Events.

Who runs the major events on Cherokee?

Cherokee Street Foundation (CSF) manages the major events on Cherokee Street. CSF is a nonprofit entity with its own board of directors. The CID provides staffing and limited financial support, but event direction and management comes from the CSF board rather than the CID.

How can I get involved?

In addition to visiting Cherokee businesses, there are two great ways for the public to engage with and support the CID: committees and meetings.

Committees

Many CID initiatives begin at the committee level, and all CID committees are open to the public. To find out about committee meetings and becoming a committee member, please visit our committees page.

Public Meetings

The CID board meetings are open to the public. The CID also hosts quarterly public meetings, where public engagement is encouraged. The CID provides free food and drink at all quarterly meetings. For information about CID meetings, please visit our meetings page.

Board Membership

The CID Board currently has 3 open seats. The Board will hold an election at the October Public Meeting. Additional information about the election process (including how to make nominations) will be released at the public meeting on July 16th.

The BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Committees

The BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ley Woods-Malone,
Chair

Owner of Murlones, Property Owner

Ashley 'Ley' Woods-Malone,
Chair

Owner of Muurlones, Property Owner

Ashley 'Ley' Woods-Malone,
Chair

Owner of Muurlones, Property Owner

Kaveh Razani,
Vice chair

Co-Founder of Blank Space

Kaveh Razani,
Vice chairmen

Co-Founder of Blank Space

Kaveh Razani,
Vice chair

Co-Founder of Blank Space

William Liebermann, Treasurer

Owner of WJL Properties

William Liebermann, Treasurer

Owner of WJL Properties

Kristin Dennis, Secretary

Property Owner

Effrem Grettenberger, Secretary

Director, Encore STL

Jason Deem

Owner of South Side Spaces & Nebula

Kristin Dennis

Property Owner

Kristin Dennis

Property Owner

Adria Nicole Webb

ProudFlower Studio

Adria Nicole Webb

Artist & Nebula Tenant

Adria Nicole Webb

Artist & Tenant at Nebula

Harrison Lyndsey

Urban League of St. Louis

Sarah Fisher

Owner of Good Strangers

Harrison Lyndsey

Urban League of St. Louis

Jill Aboussie

Owner of City Restoration & Revival LLC

Jill Aboussie

City Revival and Restoration

Sarah Fisher

Owner of Good Strangers

Justin Harris

Owner of Saint Louis Hop Shop

Sarah Fisher

Owner of Good Strangers

Brogan Drissel

Property Owner, Resident, Owner of 'ssippi & tschuss

Brogan DrisselL

Resident, Property Owner, Owner of 'ssippi and tschuss

Brogan Drissell

Resident, Property Owner & owner of 'ssippi & tschuss

OPEN SEAT

Effrem Grettenberger, Secretary

Director, Encore STL

OPEN SEAT

Effrem Grettenberger, Secretary

Director, Encore STL

OPEN SEAT

Effrem Grettenberger, Secretary

Director, Encore STL

Meet Our Staff:

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Henry Brown

Executive Director

Ashley Johnson

Business Development Specialist