A new banner program launched downtown St. Louis on Wednesday, placing names from entertainment, sports, theater and business in the city streetscape. The banners feature people and companies organizers say have contributed to St. Louis’s local identity and reputation.
The St. Louis City of Legends program was launched in partnership with Greater St. Louis Inc. and Contemporary Productions, according to FOX 2. Its featured individuals are rapper Nelly, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith, theater pioneer Ron Himes and singer Tina Turner.
Honoring Names Synonymous With St. Louis
The roster spans several parts of the city’s cultural life: Nelly and Cedric the Entertainer are recognized for their ties to St. Louis entertainment, while Smith represents the Cardinals and Himes the theater community. Turner is also among the featured singers and St. Louis figures.
The program also includes businesses: Stifel, Ameren and KPMG, according to the same report. Their names appear alongside those of the individual honorees.
A Push for Beautification and Civic Pride
Greater St. Louis Inc. said the program is intended to support downtown beautification and civic pride, according to FOX 2. The organization said it seeks to recognize people and businesses associated with St. Louis’s broader reputation.
No details were provided on the specific downtown streets where the banners are installed, how many are on display, or the program's funding and installation timeline beyond Wednesday's launch. Still, the pairing of entertainment icons with corporate names suggests an attempt to tell a fuller story of what has shaped the city's identity, from music and sports to business and theater.
What City Banner Rules Require
The City of St. Louis says a banner encroachment permit is required for banners installed on city-owned light poles in the public right-of-way, with the process governed by Ordinances 69883 and 68604. The city’s general guidance does not establish which authority approved this program’s banners or what permitting applied to them, according to the City of St. Louis.
