Francis Slay

Francis Slay
Name	Francis G. Slay
Birth date	August 20, 1955
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, Lawyer
Alma mater	Saint Louis University School of Law, Saint Louis University
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Gloria Hogan Slay
Office	Mayor of St. Louis
Term start	April 17, 2001
Term end	April 18, 2017
Predecessor	Clarence Harmon
Successor	Lyda Krewson

Francis Slay (born August 20, 1955) is an American politician and attorney who served four terms as Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, from 2001 to 2017. During his tenure he presided over urban redevelopment efforts, public-private partnerships, and initiatives involving local institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the Gateway Arch National Park. He is a member of the Democratic Party and comes from a prominent St. Louis political family.

Early life and education

Slay was born in St. Louis to a family with deep ties to the city's civic life; his father, Vincent C. Slay Sr., served in local public roles and his mother, Gertrude, was active in neighborhood organizations. He attended Saint Louis University High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Louis University and a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law. During his time at Saint Louis University he was involved with campus organizations and internships that connected him to municipal offices, including placements with representatives from Missouri state delegations and civic institutions such as the Saint Louis County legal community. His legal training linked him to firms and bar associations in the Eastern District of Missouri and to civic networks including Greater St. Louis, Inc. and regional philanthropy groups.

Political career

Slay began his political career as an alderman on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, representing the 6th Ward, where he succeeded his predecessor amid contests involving local development, zoning, and public safety matters. On the Board he worked with fellow legislators and committees that engaged with stakeholders such as the St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis Public Schools, and local labor unions including the AFSCME. He built alliances with leaders from institutions like Barnes-Jewish Hospital and BJC HealthCare while engaging with state officials from the Missouri General Assembly and municipal partners such as the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

As an alderman he served on committees that addressed finance, public safety, and neighborhood services, interacting with regional bodies such as the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and advocacy groups including Better Together (Missouri). His work drew attention from mayors, county executives, and civic leaders including members of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and nonprofit organizations like United Way of Greater St. Louis.

Tenure as Mayor of St. Louis

Elected mayor in 2001, Slay succeeded Clarence Harmon and focused on economic development initiatives involving partnerships with Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and developers behind projects near the Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Riverfront. His administration promoted downtown redevelopment that included collaborations with entities such as Forest Park Forever and corporate partners like Anheuser-Busch, and engaged with federal agencies including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Slay's mayoralty oversaw public safety efforts coordinated with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and law enforcement partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice on task forces. He initiated neighborhood investment programs that worked with community development corporations and finance partners such as the Historic Tax Credit frameworks administered in coordination with the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and private lenders. Major projects during his terms included efforts tied to the St. Louis Cardinals stadium vicinity, the Citygarden sculpture park collaboration with local philanthropies, and redevelopment around cultural institutions like the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Fox Theatre.

Slay secured reelection multiple times, navigating municipal challenges such as pension negotiations with public employee associations, budgetary matters involving the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, and regional coordination with the St. Louis County Council and neighboring jurisdictions. His administration hosted national events and worked with organizations including the United States Conference of Mayors and participated in urban policy dialogues with universities and think tanks.

Post-mayoral activities and later career

After leaving office in 2017, succeeded by Lyda Krewson, Slay returned to private legal practice and served as a consultant and advisor on urban development projects, engaging with firms, developers, and institutional partners across the Midwest. He worked with regional civic groups such as Great Rivers Greenway and philanthropic organizations including The Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis while advising on projects involving the Gateway Arch National Park and riverfront revitalization.

Slay has participated in boards and panels alongside leaders from Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, and regional economic development entities like Forward Through Ferguson and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. He has been involved with legal and advocacy networks including the Missouri Bar and national municipal associations such as the National League of Cities.

Personal life and legacy

Slay is married to Gloria Hogan Slay and they have three children. He is a practicing Catholic connected to institutions like the Archdiocese of St. Louis and has been active in community organizations and neighborhood associations throughout his career. His legacy in St. Louis includes downtown and riverfront redevelopment projects, partnerships with higher education institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University, and initiatives affecting cultural venues like the Gateway Arch National Park and the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Historians and commentators compare his tenure with other urban leaders who navigated postindustrial redevelopment, citing parallels to mayors who dealt with stadium projects, cultural district development, and public-private finance arrangements. His impact continues to be discussed by civic organizations, newspapers such as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, academic centers at Washington University in St. Louis, and policy groups examining metropolitan governance and municipal revitalization strategies.

Category:Mayors of St. Louis Category:Saint Louis University alumni Category:1955 births Category:Living people