The East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) has recognized Armstrong Teasdale and lawyers Robert Klahr, James Mello and Dana Kramer with an Outstanding Local Government Achievement Award. The EWG brings together governmental officials, planning professionals, citizens and private-sector partners to develop regional and local plans for transportation, environmental quality, housing, emergency preparedness and access to employment.

The winning team, recognized in the Leadership in Planning and Design Innovation category, consisted of the 24:1 Municipal Partnership, Beyond Housing, PGAV Planners, Rise Community Development and Armstrong Teasdale.

Klahr, Mello and Kramer served as legal counsel in developing a master land use and economic development plan for 24:1 Municipal Partnership, a nationally recognized community development effort created by Beyond Housing to address the fundamental challenges within the municipalities in the Normandy School District in north St. Louis County.

Additional information on the project can be found on the EWG YouTube channel.

Klahr, who serves as partner and Financial and Real Estate Services practice group leader, concentrates his practice in the areas of public-private real estate development and municipal finance. He uses innovative public financing to structure complex deals that enable his clients to achieve their objectives. Klahr also previously served as the co-chair of the Public Finance practice.

Mello, a senior member of the firm’s Public Finance practice, focuses on public law. A primary part of his practice involves private-public development projects and governmental finance. His insights into the complex and changing world of public finance and knowledge of federal, state and local governments allow him to provide clients with sound business advice.

Kramer is an associate in Armstrong Teasdale’s Financial and Real Estate Services practice group.  She represents developers, investors, financial institutions, utilities, governmental bodies and other public and private entities in all aspects of real estate transactions, including financing, development, acquisition and sale of real property.