Discover why we decided to vacate our downtown St. Louis loft. Our reasons go beyond race or poverty, focusing on political challenges, safety concerns, and the changing dynamics of the city.
The reason my spouse and I have decided to vacate our loft in downtown St. Louis has nothing to do with racism, poverty, or white flight. Instead, it stems from disappointing behavior, a new mayor, ongoing political issues, and a downtown that has increasingly become a neglected crime zone. I will certainly miss the incredible rooftop parties, the stunning view of the Arch, and the sweeping vistas that extend all the way to the CWE, Forest Park, and Clayton.
That said, like most of my neighbors, I am not leaving the city itself. I love St. Louis; I was raised in the county and chose to move here. We’ve simply found a peaceful townhome near the Central West End that better suits our needs. Additionally, my mom is in an assisted living facility nearby, and I can easily walk there now. My little dogs will enjoy that too.
Now, I want to share why I’ve given up on downtown St. Louis. There are far too many unhoused individuals wandering the streets, begging, and harassing tourists and residents day after day. The city still hasn’t implemented a real plan to address this issue. You would think that since a new mayor is in office, there would be some changes, but nothing has improved. Honestly, Tishaura Jones might as well have been allowed to serve another term.
Landlords, including the one we previously dealt with, as well as others, are allowing historic buildings with lofts and apartments to be rented out to low-income and Section 8 tenants. I don’t have a problem with that in principle, as long as tenants respect themselves and their neighbors. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for several years. There are young women inviting all kinds of problematic crowds into their units. I’ve even seen some guys outside breaking into parked cars. And don’t get me started on baseball or football season. Watching people return to their cars after the games, despite warnings to stay away from their vehicles too long, has become a nightmare.
Some tourists believe that saving money by parking outside the safety of a designated parking garage is the best option, but they often face the consequences later. I support affordable housing for those in need, but at what expense? The visitors attracted to these areas often show little respect for local residents who enjoy living downtown.
Just a few months ago, there was a serious altercation right outside our former building. It wasn’t about race; it involved three young men fighting one of my neighbors. I later found out that my neighbor was a heroin addict living there with his friend, who is an artist. The confrontation was over a debt he owed the attackers. It took the police an hour to arrive, even though the station is just a few blocks away.
I even raised this issue with the building management, but it seemed to make little difference. They hire anyone to answer the phones, collect rent, and handle complaints—so their response was minimal.
The state of downtown
Hooters Restaurant has closed down, but it was not due to crime; it was simply a business decision. Nonetheless, the location had become a hotspot for undesirable elements and criminal activity. Additionally, the old Famous Barr parking garage, once connected to the former Macy’s/Railway Exchange building, stands as a stark symbol of neglect and decay.
Before Mayor Tishaura Jones and STLDC’s Neal Richardson left their positions, they received praise for taking steps to manage the property. However, there has been little mention of those efforts recently. It seems our new mayor may be preoccupied with the tornado situation.
Several friends visiting for a major convention brought thousands of visitors to our downtown area, but I felt embarrassed having to walk through the cluttered Macy’s site just to reach Ballpark Village.
Adding to the concerns are the subpar Metrolink station, the boarded-up One Bell Center, and the vacant Mark Twain Hotel—all of which contribute to an overall sense of neglect in the city.
Metrolink Stations
St. Louis has the unfortunate luxury of sharing mass transit with the metro east-Illinois side, including East St. Louis. Which sadly brings in bad traffic and fare hoppers. However, with the new security system almost completed, this may cut down on them coming into downtown St. Louis.
Mark Twain Hotel
I won’t go into too much detail about my job, but I had a client who lived in the Mark Twain Hotel. Originally known as The Maryland Hotel, it opened as a luxury establishment but eventually turned into a flophouse. In the 1990s, it was renovated and became the Mark Twain Hotel, which now primarily serves low-income residents, especially those with criminal records.
The area is quite problematic—located right across from Arcade and the Syndicate building, which are also low-income housing and have unfortunately become hotspots for criminal activity. I’ve always wondered why the city allows downtown to decline like this. I genuinely want to support those in need, but at what cost? Businesses are leaving, residents are moving out, and tourists are posting negative comments about our downtown on social media.
In conclusion, change is necessary, and constantly fussing over the Rams’ money isn’t the answer. St. Louis has the resources to improve downtown, but it seems some are content to play it safe and appease the woke crowd rather than focus on the needs of the majority. That said, I want to give a shoutout to my friends at Oliver’s property along Washington Ave—click the link to learn more about their efforts.
I’m not criticizing a city I love; I just wish our local politicians would take a page from cities like Denver, Nashville, or Kansas City, MO. Everyone deserves a place to stay that’s affordable, but the chaos caused by traveling companies and the challenges faced by hardworking Gen Xers like myself make enjoying downtown difficult. We deserve to experience our city without worrying about car break-ins, muggings, or harassment from the unhoused.
Finally, I want to thank the St. Louis Argus Newspaper for providing a platform to share my thoughts. Take care, and have a joyful holiday!
#StLouis #DowntownStLouis #UrbanLiving #CitySafety #CommunityIssues #MayorNews #NeighborhoodChange #UrbanDecline #CityLife #SafetyFirst
