Examine the pressing need for St. Louis’ next mayor to confront the harsh truths of downtown, showcasing the urban decline, the positive aspects, and the obstacles faced by a city striving to recover.
Image by Argus Staff/ The Gateway Arch and the most prolific Market Street, on the grounds of the Peabody Plaza Tower
Whoever the city chooses as the next mayor—be it the current officeholder, Hon. Tishaura Jones, or someone else—I urge them to take a walk down parts of Olive Street, or any area where there is stagnant activity, and truly observe what they find there.
What I see is a war zone, a nightmarish landscape that reflects a city grappling with declining population. I see the old Famous Barr/Macy’s Rail Road Exchange building standing like a decaying giant, neglected and crumbling away.
The empty Railway Exchange Building/Courtesy of Argus Staff
Next to it, an adjacent parking garage once complemented the elegance of Famous Barr/Mays Company, a time when we had a thriving fashion empire that ultimately succumbed to Macy’s, only to close its doors years later.
Now, this towering 25-story structure serves as a stark reminder of St. Louis’s stagnant progress. Then there’s the Millennium Hotel, a striking 28-story tower that looms beside the iconic Gateway Arch. Previously known as The Clarion, this building is yet another testament to the ongoing neglect of our downtown area.
Fair use/Facebook/The Millenium Tower
How can any mayor stand by and let the city continue to deteriorate in this manner? What are these officials truly fighting for?
All I see is four mayoral candidates attacking one another and vying for votes—votes that will likely be divided, leaving us with either an incumbent or a new mayor who, in four years, may very well be reading yet another critique of the Railroad Exchange Building and the Millennium Tower, both of which continue to elicit stares and ridicule from those who pass through downtown.
And let’s not even begin discussing the Metro Link. At least you’re making an effort to enhance its safety and security. I understand the challenges we face; with East St. Louis to the east and poverty to the north, some argue that these factors are contributing to a slowdown in downtown’s growth.
While we may not have a vibrant neighbor like Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky, it would be beneficial to address our issues rather than turning a blind eye to them.
Now, let’s focus on my personal favorite high-rise in St. Louis: the One AT&T Center. Tourists gaze at this building and often assume that crime is to blame for its vacancy.
Courtesy of Argus Staff/AT&T Tower
According to Wikipedia, “The Beacon on Chestnut” (formerly known as One SBC Center, One Bell Center, and One AT&T Center) is a 44-story structure located at 909 Chestnut Street on the Gateway Mall. It is Missouri’s largest building by area, encompassing 1.4 million square feet. Currently, it sits empty.
Originally built to serve as the headquarters for Southwestern Bell, the building’s significance diminished as a series of mergers led to the headquarters relocating to San Antonio, Texas, and eventually becoming AT&T.
In 2006, Inland American Real Estate Trust acquired the building for $205 million, with AT&T signing a 10-year lease as the sole tenant. However, by 2013, AT&T announced it would vacate the building in 12 months, having seen its employee count plummet from 4,800 to 2,000 due to layoffs, outsourcing, and remote work.
How could the city allow this building to remain vacant for so long? Fortunately, a Boston developer is now poised to revitalize Missouri’s largest building by area, while Kansas City boasts the tallest building in the state.
As a local John Doe, I may not fully grasp the nuances of politics, but that doesn’t stop me from asking questions.
From former mayors Slay and Krewson to the current mayor, Jones—did any of you truly make an effort to fill this significant space? What were you focusing on for the past four years?
I recently shared a blog post by Aldermanic President Megan Green discussing how to allocate the Rams’ settlement money—a topic I’ve opposed from the start. Why didn’t they negotiate with the NFL for an expansion team?
Instead, all I see are candidates undermining one another over how to spend the money, rather than collaborating with downtown business leaders to make the area safer and more appealing for the long term.
Let’s not forget the three former aldermen who faced jail time for bribery, casting a shadow over St. Louis City Hall and affecting the credibility of our current leader, Tishaura Jones. Even former Attorney General Eric Schmitt and current AG Andrew Bailey share doubts about St. Louis’ leadership protocols.
There’s even discussion about state control over the police, but that’s a separate issue.
We have some exciting conventions coming to town, and plenty can be done to enhance the landscape. One suggestion is to offer affordable vending space for vacant storefronts. Why not strike a deal with property managers to see how much more attractive downtown could look?
The newly renovated America’s Center in the backgroud
Take a cue from Crossroads in Kansas City, MO, and let your creativity flourish!
Come on, St. Louis—our downtown is under scrutiny, and we are more than just torn sidewalks and caution tape. We need to address these vacant, dilapidated properties and find a sensible way to utilize the settlement funds. I am tired of watching cities like Nashville and Cleveland grab the spotlight while we struggle.
St. Louis mayor, urban decay, Tishaura Jones, Olive Street, city challenges, population decline, community issues, urban observation
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