George Jones Jr. said he left the open house with information and resources to provide people in his work with the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations.

He is trying help area residents who want to own their own businesses understand that they could have better success opening businesses, like restaurants or cafes, that could serve NGA employees, he said. He said residents at past Hyde Park and Old North St. Louis neighborhood meetings fear the NGA won't work with the community.

“It seems like they're getting a lot of community input, which is good,” he said. “We need to have a seat at the table.”

Jones was particularly happy to hear about the percentage of contracting work Williams said went to minority-owned businesses and would also like to see a MetroLink expansion into the area to give residents better access to jobs, he said.

“I think the NGA is going to change north St. Louis,” he said.