I'm Worried 2.05.2007 | 1 Comment(s)

This comment was left by "G of St Louis Place " regarding my post on the whole Blairmont scheme in north city:

This comment is a little late, but we all know what the plan is now. McKee wants to "bulldoze the ghetto" -- all of St Louis Place, a big chunk of JVL and some of ONSL. ONSL has their strong neighborhood group, so McKee has backed off a bit over there. The plans are drawn up by Arcturis, Pyramid is preparing a bid, and I'm expecting to be standing in front of a bulldozer in early fall 2007. There is going to be a lake and a cute 22nd St highway from 40 up to Cass and Jeff. The whole plan is to have site control of the whole area before the Pruitt-Igoe site goes on the market.

After I read this, I headed over to Ecology of Absence and read this post.

Needless to say, I'm extremely worried about the fate of a large section of North St. Louis. I don't really have anything to add to the conversation, the commenters on EOA have already made excellent points. I have this sense of dread when I think about what's going on and I'm extremely disheartened at the silence emanating from City Hall & the media on this issue.

I'm beginning to wonder if it's time to get out of this City and region, they clearly have no need for preservationists or creative thinkers.

By  Urban Review, at 10:10 PM

I have confirmed that a few years ago Arcturis did draw up plans for the area which included the 22nd Parkway. However, much has changed since then.

Officially the parkway is dead and I tend to believe as much given the number of lofts being completed at this moment that are in the direct path of the proposed highway.

This is not to say some scheme is not in the works, most likely there is. And sadly, as far as the city and region I think you may be right.