Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
2 3
FALL 2018
CONTENTS
#activism
“LIGHTNING THE WAY”
Hello!
“THE CITY OF PROTEST”
“BLACK LIVES & POLICY MATTER”
“A PARK AND ITS VISION FOR PEACE”
#interesting “LANDMARKS OF INJUSTICE”
We are a group of students from the Harvard University
Graduate School of Design, which is dedicated to the education
and development of design professionals in architecture, #history
landscape architecture, urban planning, and urban design. “THE JOURNEY OF A ST.LOUIS BRICK”
“THE TWO TOWERS OF THE THIRD WARD”
This semester, we were invited by a small group of community “SHAPE SHIFTING”
leaders to spend some time studying St. Louis’s 3rd Ward’s past, “ART HISTORY”
present, and future. Composed of the northeast neighborhoods #interesting “STOP!”
of JeffVanderLou, St. Louis Place, Hyde Park, College Hill,
Fairground Neighborhood, and O’Fallon, the 3rd Ward—which
is 94 percent African American—has some of St. Louis’s lowest
home values, lowest life expectancies, and highest poverty rates.
#landuse
“THE WARD 3 UNDERGROUND”
Physically, block after block after block appear abandoned. But if
“WHAT’S WITH ALL THE RAINGARDENS?”
the 3rd Ward is lacking in population, economic development, and
“VACANCY OVER TIME”
basic social services, it is not lacking in pride, energy, and hope.
“WHO OWNS THE LAND?”
Indeed, the 3rd Ward is home to a robust (and youthful) network
“SECRET OF THE STREET”
of artists, activists, and community-based organizations who are
working together to build a healthier, more equitable 3rd Ward. #interesting “DISCOVER THE MURALS”
#interview
“CODING FOR KIDS”
“ORGANIZATIONS WE MET”
4 5
INSIDE THE THIRD FALL 2018
why she has no plans to stop sure our passions are translated into
“Black women have defied and of her friend “Brittany Ferrell who is
a mother, and during many nights of
all while going to school.”
“Part of my dream is that my home will
re-imagined what leadership looks like the protests we would see her with her
daughter Kenna- I saw her raising a
Heeding the contributions of these
women, as Packnett continues
be a place of abundance, of freedom,
revolutionary child. Which is such a organizing, shaping national discourse
in action.” Brittany Packnett (Photo from Brittany Packnett; Collage by Aleiya Evison)
powerful act. It is not just a ferocity on
the frontlines, but the way we rear a
on race and politics, and writing, she
said, “I dream of joy. Cause I think of expression- liberated expression
Spending much of her life and career point to the unacknowledged ways child that can change the world.” that’s what freedom feels like. Right
Fires of Freedom, which outlines
the immense contributions of
cookie cutter-heroines,” Bell explained
during her talk, “they’re real women”.
in St. Louis. Freeman, who passed
away at 101 this past winter, used
that Black feminist activists have
always been present in the shaping Packnett continues to find inspiration
now it’s almost like we have to steal
our joy. We have to find the hidden
without judgement, without fear.”
Black women throughout the Civil
Rights Movement. Bell discussed
On Black Feminist Leadership her background in law to further of America. Packnett, a former and motivation in the Black feminist moments and spaces where we can
CivilRights as the lead Attorney in the teacher and longtime activist who work (Nichols is also a two-time suggested that materiaizing equity
the enduring attributes of Black in the Law 1952 case Davis v. St. Louis Housing contributed to organizing efforts
collective, explaining how Black experience Black joy without gaze and
Clinton Global Initiative Fellow, may require starting over completely
feminist leadership, arguing that it women “use everything at our disapproval. Not constant joy, but
Authority. Her efforts ended formal following the murder of Mike Brown disposable to get free. Whether it’s unencumbered joy where being able St. Louis Visionary, and was a 2017 in many ways, which she recognizes
is a leadership rooted in courage, Out of St. Louis, activist Frankie Muse racial segregation in public housing in Ferguson, is Vice President of the our skills in kitchen, the way that to live as my full self is never seen as Citizen Artist Fellow at the John F. as “a hard choice. It’s a radical choice.
authenticity, and purpose. As she Freeman was so tenacious in her fight across St. Louis (Missouri Historical National Community Alliances and we mother, the way that we nurture, threat to anyone else.” Kennedy Center for Performing Arts In a lot of communities we have not
writes in the book, throughout the for social justice, that her community Society). She was also nominated Engagement for Teach for America, in D.C.), she continues to be anchored yet tested this. Instead of trying to
Civil Rights Movement Black women often referred to her as “Ms. Frankie as the first woman to join the U.S. Co-Founder of Campaign Zero, and a
the songs we play, the leadership we On Imagining Freedom in St. Louis. She described the crux of fix this thing that was not designed
show- we use everything we have to
Commision on Civil Rights in 1964, current visiting make things move.” When you talk to DeAndrea Nichols, her work as a continued collaboration to be equitable… why not start off all
it becomes clear quite quickly that with those in her community “who together with something different?”
“We use everything at our disposable to Packnett’s friend, Diana Mitchell, who
is a Dean at Washington University,
her work is also driven by courage,
purpose, and optimism. “It is easy
have been told that they are not worth
doing anything, and helping them With this in mind, Nichols stays
leveraged her resources to empower to give up,” she explained,“to walk tap into [their] worth and their own connected to the activism and visionary
get free...we use everything we have to organizers following the Ferguson
protests through higher education. As
away from a struggle. It takes a lot
of resilience, strategy, and willpower
innate genius”. thinking that has always existed in St.
Louis. “There’s so much that I love
make things move.” Packnett explained, Mitchell “was not to say ‘I am a believer that this thing She does this by creating spaces
for the organizers and community
about this city,” she said joyfully. “Part
of it is that St. Louis still has a small
where she would serve for 16 years fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School “We have to shake the conditioning members who haven’t received
national attention for their efforts. In
town feel, to the point that if you have
an idea, if your idea is something that
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Further, Institute of Politics. She has been her project Deliberate and Unafraid, can progress anything in any type of
Ms.Freeman was a mentor to younger
activists such as Elizabeth Eckford
instrumental to our 21st century
struggle for Civil Rights.
that we’ve had, which says optimism Nichols “chronicled and highlighted
the people who were not getting the
way, there are people willing to take
the chance to support you. That’s not
and Thelma Mothershed of the Little
Rock Nine (Missouri Historical When asked about what Black feminist
is naive, or that optimism is weak, press. Let them express themselves
and share their stories and their
something that you see everywhere.”
She envisions St. Louis continuing as
Society). She embodied community
by supporting the next generation
leadership looks like, Packnett
responded, “We watched Black or that optimism is not valuable.” perspectives without editing. It really
centered that ntersection of queer
a hub for creative activism, explaining,
“part of my dream is that my home will
of activists through her compassion women occupy so many spaces, and women of color femmes.” be a place of abundance, of freedom,
and mentorship, while forging the do it well, with great care,” referring out there on the streets necessarily, can be corrected, that this thing can of expression- liberated expression
path for Black women in law. Her to the leadership she observed but her role was to make sure that all be changed. I am willing to stay in this Echoing Bell and Packnett, Nichols without judgement, without fear. And
legacy established St. Louis as a growing up from the matriarchs of these activists who emerged from and stay unwavering.’” grapples with the tendency of the so my dream is to manifest something
Frankie Muse freeman (Photo from Missouri Historical Society; Collage by Aleiya Evison) central figure in U.S. Civil Rights, and around her.Pointing to examples of world to miscredit the efforts of Black within St. Louis, whether that’s a
the Ferguson uprising had the chance
created a succession of Black feminist such leadership, Packnett explained, to continue honing their skills. A lot Evident in her work as a designer for women, which is part of her motivation space, or a piece of art, that can help
organizers to follow. “I think of Mama Kat, who was always of those organizers are now going to social change at Civic Creatives in St. to continue centering them in her unlock that feeling.”
“didn’t stand on ceremony; they Freedom” (St. Louis Post
On Collective Leadership in there to feed us in Ferguson. She’s Wash U, tuition free, and they are Louis, is is this very optimism. It seems work. “So often in moments when we
simply did the work that needed to be Dispatch). She was an organizer and
an incredible chef and leader in her crushing it. And of course they are,” to be her superpower, challenging are seeking social justice and seeking What comes through as Nichols
done. They raised money and provied a lawyer who graduated from the Service to Community own right. She understood that in she said brightly. the notion that staying optimistic- rights and equity,” she explained, describes her vision, is a spirit of
housing and solace- all without Howard University Law School, ing
that moment we needed to be fed and certainly staying optimistic as a women of color “haven’t been centered resilience. “There has yet to be any
expectation of personal gain” (Bell, 1). much of her life and career in St.
As Brittany Packnett’s twitter back and we needed to feel love. I think “Black women are just so formidable- Black woman- is naive. “We have to in that work even though we were force, any challenge, any person
While Black women were often Louis. Freeman, who passed away
ground reads, “Black women are not other people might see her cooking I can stare down a police officer who shake the conditioning that we’ve had, behind the scenes and at the frontlines. who has made me believe this isn’t
portrayed in the background “sitting at 101 this past winter, used her
a trend. Congratulations to folks who meals for protesters as small...but just tear gassed me on Monday night which says optimism is naive or that I feel like often times we are the people possible.”
quietly while the men strategized,” background in law to further Civil
finally noticed how dope we are... it was an act of immense generosity, and then go to school on a Tuesday optimism is weak or that optimism is putting in the work,the structure, the
as Bell asserted, these women “were Rights.
but we have been forever cradling not only financially, but the amount and turn in a paper.” not valuable” she explained, sharing strategy, and the resilience to make
the strategy”. From organizing
civilizations.” Her remarks, like Bell, of time and care and love that she
6 #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM 7
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
THEblackCITY OF PROTEST
CIVIC DISSENT: protests are wide-reaching and left, with a look at the specific details What’s important to a society can
diverse: protests have ranged from of each event, which are shown on be read through the things they are
People in Protest race-based employment strikes to the right. A systematic division of passionate enough to rally against. The
marches against police brutality to each protest into causes, actions, and history of St. Louis carries no shortage
Since the time of the Civil War, St. beer boycotts against companies with outcomes makes it simple for readers of passion, its citizens accumulating
Louisans have proudly refused to
activism and response in st. louis
racist hiring methods. This graphic to identify wide-ranging themes from social and economic victories across
stay silent about inequities both in timeline pairs images from St. Louis’ across the history of the city and to many centuries to enact a more just,
the city and in the nation. St. Louis vast protest history, shown on the perhaps apply them to the present. more inclusive community.
1819 SLAVE STATE PROTEST 1867 ST. LOUIS TROLLEY PROTESTS 1932 CCC DINER SIT-IN
With the perennially controversial Just after the end of the Civil War, black St. Louisans became increasingly, and justifiably, discontent with The Colored Clerks Circle saw the many
CAUSES Missouri Compromise underway, blacks CAUSES the still-present inequalities in their city. Black St. Louisans were routinely refused access to trolley cars, CAUSES new businesses opening in St. Louis that
protested making Missouri a slave state. ostensibly cutting off their access to public transportation. refused to hire black workers.
Free blacks and “white friends” protested In 1867, two different lawsuits were filed to attain equal access to transportation. This legal approach to The CCC started a “Don’t Buy Where You
ACTIONS the political maneuver on the steps of the ACTIONS attaining civil rights was a common strategy during this era, the violence of the Civil War putting emphasis on ACTIONS Can’t Work” campaign, boycotting an
Old Courthouse. array of businesses.
nonviolent means of desegregating society.
While Missouri ultimately became a slave While the lawsuits were decided in favor of the black defendants, the victory proved hollow and often, As a result of the protests, some black
OUTCOMES state, a clause barring free blacks from OUTCOMES unenforceable. Rather than refusing service to black St. Louisans, trolley drivers simply began passing by OUTCOMES workers were hired and subequent protest
entering the state was removed. black citizens waiting to board the trolley leaving them, as before, without transportation. measures were taken.
1933 NUT WORKERS STRIKE 1942 DEFENSE INDUSTRY & TELEPHONE OPERATOR JOBS MARCH 1944 GARMENT STRIKE
The R.E. Funsten Company was paying A letter writing campaign failed to get
President FDR stopped a march on D.C. that aimed to protest inequitable hiring in the defense industry. The
CAUSES white women 50% more money for a less CAUSES president didn’t want these anti-racism protestors showing up in the capitol when America was supposedly
CAUSES downtown department stores to hire black
labor intensive job. female sales clerks.
fighting a war against racism abroad.
St. Louisans refused to be silenced and instead staged a march in their own city to Carter Carburetor, a Black women, later with the support of
Over 1,000 black women took to the streets
ACTIONS in protest, demanding change. ACTIONS production company with not a single black employee in its 3,000 person workforce. The protesters also ACTIONS CORE, staged sit-ins at department store
marched to Southwestern Bell, a telephone operating company without any black operators. cafeterias for the better part of a decade.
The black workers won all of their A few black employees were hired into the 3,000 person workforce at Carter Carburetor. At Southwestern Bell, After 10 years, several department
OUTCOMES demands, setting a precedent for labor OUTCOMES black female telephone operators were hired, but weren’t allowed to work next to white workers-- they were OUTCOMES stores agreed to desegregate their dining
movements around the country. forced to work in a segregated building apart from the white employees. facilities, though other fights followed.
1963 BANK SIT-IN BY CORE 1964 GATEWAY ARCH PROTEST 1969 PUBLIC RENT STRIKE
While 277 out of over 5,000 workers at A range of racist lending and renting
CAUSES Jefferson Bank & Trust were black, 99% of CAUSES policies left black citizens with fewer
those jobs were forms of menial labor. When the Gateway Arch project began construction, not a single black employee was hired to work on the choices for places to live.
CAUSES project. Because the project was granted federal funding, local black citizens were doubly perturbed about
After the bank rejected CORE’s letter the workplace injustice. Tenants of the failed Pruitt-Igoe public
ACTIONS housing project picketed the welfare
ACTIONS demanding clerical work for blacks, the
office, demanding fair housing treatment.
group launched a 7 month protest.
When construction on the Arch reached 300’, activist Percy Green II and Richard Daly scaled halfway up
one of the legs in protest of the hiring inequity. Green and Daly were part of an organization, ACTION, that Nine months of protest led to the
Jefferson Bank & Trust hired a few black ACTIONS splintered off from CORE a few years before. ACTION preached nonviolent, but purposefully annoying civil OUTCOMES formation of the Civic Alliance for
OUTCOMES tellers, pressuring other banks and disobedience tactics. Many of their protests, like the Arch scaling, gained lots of media attention. Housing, which helped leverage a strike
companies to hire more blacks as well. settlement.
1970 1970
After Green and Daly’s stunt, several black workers were hired to work on the Gateway Arch. In the years that
LEAD POISON PROTESTS OUTCOMES followed, Green filed a lawsuit against his construction company for race-based firing. Eventually, Green won BEER BOYCOTT
the lawsuit at the Supreme Court level, setting a national precedent for race-based workplace discrimination.
Due to high demolition rates and various After a string of workplace equity
CAUSES environmental hazards, the children of St. CAUSES victories, St. Louisans criticized Anheuser-
Louis faced high rates of lead poisoning. Busch’s low black employment rate.
-Percy Green II
“Drink something else” flyers.
While some of the living situations
garnered upgrades as a result of the While a few more black workers were
OUTCOMES OUTCOMES hired, ultimately, no major results
protests, the lead rates remain high, even
today. followed the boycotts.
1992 ANTI-VIOLENCE MARCH 2014 MICHAEL BROWN SHOOTING 1999 ANTI-VIOLENCE MARCH
Street violence resulted in many lives lost A wave of police violence pushed focus
CAUSES in St. Louis, a 22 year-old death inspiring CAUSES onto other sectors of inequality, such as
the anti-violence march in 1992. On August 9, 2014, an unarmed black man, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by a 28-year-old white police the lack of minorities in construction jobs.
officer, Darren Wilson, the the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri. After an alleged altercation between
CAUSES Brown, his friend, and the police officer, Michael Brown was shot in his front a total of 6 times.
Protesters marched from Williams Temple Protesters from the St. Louis community
ACTIONS Church of God in Christ to bring attention ACTIONS blocked off the I-70 freeway, making it
to violence in the city. inoperable by cars.
After viral imagery of the event spread across social media, immediate protests ensued, both in St. Louis and
across the country. Protests in Ferguson continued for over a week, leading the police to establish a curfew
This march became an annual awareness ACTIONS for the town’s citizens. This event spurred national attention, prompting discourse around police brutality and After the arrest of 125 protesters,
OUTCOMES rally, the impact of the initial effort violence, one part of a larger conversation about inequality in the national media. OUTCOMES contractors agreed to increase minority
reverberating across the generations. jobs and created a job training center.
2016 2017
A grand jury was called to evaluate the actions of police officer Darren Wilson. Three and a half months
NGA PROTEST OUTCOMES after the shooting of Michael Brown, the grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. After the St. Louis decision, STOCKLEY VERDICT
the U.S. Department of Justice issued its own conclusion that Wilson shot Brown in defense. The incident
Developer Paul McKee sought eminent remains hotly contested, a tangible example of the long-standing tradition of injustice in America. In 2011, white police officer Jason Stockley
CAUSES domain to sell land for the National CAUSES fatally shot Anthony Lamar Smith after a
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency site. car chase over a suspected drug deal.
The $1.6 billion deal angered nearby “Come out here, you know After a judge found Stockley “not
ACTIONS residents, prompting a small group of ACTIONS guilty,” protesters gathered outside the
protesters to rally against development.
what’s right and wrong.” courthouse and marched through the city.
-Ferguson protester
Several protesters were arrested. The The peaceful protest was flecked with
OUTCOMES deal is currently in a standstill as faulty OUTCOMES violence, bringing the discourse about
business dealings come to light. police violence back to St. Louis.
While many police departments are investigate officers and not just
Freddie Gray – April 12, 2015 PROBLEM make it exceedingly hard to judge why
Although chokeholds were already Repeat Offenders:
Six Baltimore police officers were and how often law enforcement uses
banned by the NYPD at the time of Former FBI director, James Comey deadly force. Although it remains to 1) Establish an early intervention system to correct officers using excessive force.
involved in the arrest and death of Eric Garner’s death, the failure of 2) Report officers who receive two or more complaints or use of force incidents
called the lack of federal data on police be seen if body worn cameras (BWCs)
Gray while he was in custody. The 25 police and EMTs to administer CPR in the past quarter.
killings “embarrassing” and committed are effective in decreasing the number
year old died after suffering a spinal may have been a contributing factor in 3) Require officers to attend re-training and be monitored by an immediate
the agency to a new initiative to collect of police shootings, there is no doubt
injury in a Baltimore police van, his death. Likewise, Baltimore police supervisor after their first quarterly report and terminate an officer following
statistics from police departments. they have been crucial in revealing
touching off weeks of protests. failed to follow a 6-day old procedure multiple reports.
In some jurisdictions there is no the truth of what is happening on
Sam Dubose – July 29, 2015 to secure Freddie Gray while he was system in place to track fatal or our streets, and sharing that truth 4) Require police departments to notify both state and federal officials when an
University of Cincinnati officer Ray in the police van. He consequently nonfatal shootings. Information is not with the world. The Black Lives officer is found to have willfully violated department policy or the law, committed
Tensing shot and killed Dubose during suffered a spinal injury that lead to a collected on whether or not victims Matter movement has called on more official misconduct, or resigned while under investigation for these offenses.
a traffic stop, claiming he feared being coma and eventually death. of police shootings are armed, which information to be made public in order 5) Maintain this information in a database accessible to the public and prohibit
dragged or run over when Dubose is estimated to only be around 8% of to shed light on how deep and systemic these officers from serving as police officers, teachers or other governmental
tried to drive away. the time. In Chicago and Los Angeles the problem of police violence is. employees (Illinois).
10 #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM 11
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
A PARK AND
just be. Everywhere else you have to of the illustrations of how the city of
be on your way somewhere, or doing St. Louis has not spent tax dollars
something on a mission”. on the Northside, was through the
comparison of parks”. As Laura
Hughes went on to explain that described, parks in the Northside
she decided to continue coming to have been largely underfunded, and
as in the case of College Hill, some
ITS VISION
the North Cooridor Collaborative
meetings after that first initial meeting neighborhoods on the Northside
because there were,“wonderful people haven’t even had designated
with wonderful ideas. I didn’t really community parks.
get to see that implemented, in a way,
until I went to that meeting. Going When asked what they are most
to that meeting, I thought “oh!”, excited to see in the park, neighbors
FOR PEACE
well if they have some sort of plan, excitedly described what they imagine
something concrete that we can go for the future of Peace Park. Carmen
off, I would be willing to sink a lot of Long, 59, who was in the partner
my energy and time to this, because organization For the Sake of All and a
it’s something I really want to see.” resident of 11 years explained that she
Hughes has been coming back to the wants to see, “neighbors, people,
meetings ever since, and over the past different people, nationalities, colors-
year has helped to brainstorm and we need everybody. This is your park.
work through various ideas for the We want to make the North side look
Participants from the public forum survey Peace Park. (Photo by Minzi Long) park. As she described, “I wanted to like peace, rather than war. Because
The community members of the abuse. Initially when Woodward
College Hill neighborhood have big created the park, he get involved any way I could. I didn’t when I travel over here from Delmar,
dreams for what is possible. Some of provided clothing and warm meals out together for on of many planning Collaborative community meeting.... really have anything monetarily to I feel like I am in a warzone.” Long
offer, but I at least wanted to give my referred to the Delmar divide, an Jasmine Hughes, 28, shares her ideas for the future of the park.(Photo by Minzi Long)
those dreams are being directed into of a shed on the park grounds, which sessions. In partnership with the and I was ecstatic that there was a
plans to revitalize Peace Park at East has since been taken down. As many Harvard Graduate School of Design, possibility that there could be more time and my experience in anyway I intersection between the North and
Grand Avenue and Strodtman Place. community members will attest, he neighbors worked with visiting to do in our neighborhood than there could”. Southside of St. Louis that strikingly
The park, on one side a small orchard, was driven by a desire to be of service, students in architecture, landscape is.” Hughes, who has lived in St. Louis encapsulates the city’s continued
Though Hughes is now employed segregation of race and socioeconomic
full-time, she said that she still wants resources. Erika King, in her 30s,
“to come to the meetings and see echoed this sentiment saying, “it is
what things I can contribute. This is a close-knit community. It’s a family
something I really want to see happen- around here, and we’ve gotten away
I want to see it succeed.” Over the past from that a little bit, but we want to
year, residents like Hughes have been bring that back... we like to look out
committed to meeting at the Grace for each other. We want to bring that
Hill Water Tower Hub with other back in a major way.”
stakeholders in the community on a
monthly basis to continue solidifying Hughes added that she is hoping the
ideas for Peace Park. Ideas throughout finished park will allow her to, “stop
the past year have included community by after work and just sit in the park,
garden beds, public art, and designing or just swing on a swing or something
a multipurpose pavilion for music, like that...and then walk home
community engagement, and theatre. feeling like I’m safe to walk home.”
Those engaging in the process come She added that she is most excited
in all ages, from 10 years old to 70. “for the possibility that I’ll get to meet
As Jameice Shannon, 10, described “I more of my neighbors, [who] I haven’t
have actually never been so engaged been able to see, simply because there
[with] the neighborhood, so it’s kind was no reason to come out here in
of a big step for me.” Shannon has the first place. There’s an opportunity From left: Carmen Long, Oprah Johnson, Erica King, Elaine Laura, and Lauren Billingsly.
been coming to the meetings with her where people might BBQ out here- (Photo by Minzi Long)
sister Jasmine Shannon, 11, and her that would be great! Maybe we can
grandmother Oprah Johnson, 62. have a BBQ competition! I’d like to
see that”. Like the other community
Johnson explained that she has members, Hughes’ hopes for the park
also been involved in community mostly revolve around the potential
engagement by supporting her son for deeper community building in
who throws “block parties to bring College Hill. As she further explained,
the community together…[we’re] all “there’s a possibility that there is going
about getting people to get along and to be a community garden. It would be
stop the violence.” In addition to the great if people from the community
block parties, Johnson became felt like they could come in and pick
involved with Peace Park because [some vegetables].” She added, “There
she was involved in the partner will be more to do- there will be more-
organization For the Sake of All, and you know that saying that crowds
she knew Otis Woodward. As the older draw crowds? Knowing that there is
Jameice Shannon, 10, shares her vision for Peace Park in 5 years. (Photo by Minzi Long) Shannon sister, Jasmine, expressed, something for us as a community to do
and on the other side shaded by huge striving to make Peace Park not just a architecture, and urban design to since she was 4 years old, explained “it’s really important to keep his [Otis here, and that we can enjoy ourselves
trees, has been in the works for years. place to play, but a place to experience narrow down designs for the park. that prior to getting involved with Woodward’s] dream on- I think he as a community in this space, that in
It was originally imagined by Otis dignity and belonging. In honor of Many participants in the planning the Peace Park, she struggled to find would have wanted us to keep his and of itself will draw other people to
Woodward, a local activist, preacher, Woodward, who passed away in 2015, process have been involved for a welcoming community spaces. “for dream alive”. want to come and see this space and
and community advocate. Woodward a determined group of College Hill year or more, and the prospect of a while I was unemployed, and the think, ‘hey, what’s going on here? This
turned the once vacant lot into the neighbors are working to continue plans moving forward is a matter of only places I felt safe, particularly in Another participant in the project, is neat’ I like all of that”.
park with hope that having a new bringing his vision to life. celebration. When asked why she the area, was maybe to the bus stop, Elaine Laura, 68, explained that she
community space in College Hill would wanted to get involved with Peace Park, maybe to Divoll Library- that’s really found out about the Peace Park Following the most recent meeting, the students
bring a sense of belonging and safety. At a recent meeting hosted by the Jasmine Hughes, 28, said, “I believe all I can think of ”she said, project through Washington from the Harvard Graduate School of Design
The neighborhood, in part, is known North Corridor Collaborative at Grace it was last October or November, I continuing, “Divoll was really the University. She explained, “I attended will be further developing designs for Peace
for pervasive violence and substance Hill, community members came came and visited the North Corridor only place I felt I could hang out and a Wash U seminar on disparities in Park, continuing the conversation between Community members brainstorm designs for the park alongside Graduate students from the
the greater St. Louis community. One neighbors and community stakeholders. Harvard School of Design. (Photo by Minzi Long)
12 #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM 13
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
LANDMARKS OF INJUSTICE
settle in Ferguson, MO were Larman in Wellston, an all black St. Louis Ferguson. The school district that
and Geraldine Williams and their three suburb. Geraldine was a state special had once been united was segregated
daughters. When Mr. Williams first education teacher. They could afford until court-ordered integration in
came to see the house on 21 Buckeye to live in middle-class Ferguson and 1975. Slowly the African American
Drive in 1968, the real estate agent decided to move there to protect their community in Ferguson expanded
refused to show it to him. However, daughters from the violence of their from 1% in 1970 to 14% in 1980, 25% in
Williams belonged to a church with St. Louis neighborhood and provide 1990 to 52% in 2000, and finally 67%
a white pastor who contacted the real them with better schooling. in 2010. Other northwestern suburbs
estate agent on his behalf only to be Larman had previously lived in of St. Louis saw the same expansion
THE SHELLEY VS. KRAEMER HOUSE informed that the neighbors objected Kinloch, an all black suburb adjoining while the southwestern suburbs and
A restrictive covenant is a covenant Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, a selling property in the neighborhood Ferguson. At the time Ferguson was St. Louis itself became more white.
imposing a restriction on the use of signatory to the convenant, sponsored to Blacks. The white pastor then a ‘sundown town’ which meant the Larman and Geraldine and another
land so that the value and enjoyment Ms. Kraemer’s lawsuit with funds from decided to gather the owner of the presence of African Americans was not early resident named Adel Allen,
of adjoining land will be preserved. the church treasury. The Supreme home and his neighbors together permitted after dark. As was common an engineer who came to St. Louis
This tool was used by many in the Court ruled against Ms. Kraemer and for a prayer meeting, after which the in other suburbs of St. Louis, Ferguson in 1962 to work at the McDonnell
white community to avoid selling their her sponsors not on moral grounds, owner agreed to sell the house to the blocked off the main road from Space Center, testified about their
property to African Americans when but because the homeowner who Williams. Kinloch with a chain and construction experiences at a 1970 hearing of the
relocating. This practice was upheld wanted to sell his property to the The Williams family had been living in material but kept a second road open United States Commission on Civil
in a Supreme Court case in 1926. Shelleys had equal protection under a St. Louis slum and Larman worked during the day so housekeepers Rights.
However, in 1948 the United States the law and could sell their property
Supreme Court overruled the Supreme to whomever they chose.
Court of Missouri and held that state
THE VATTEROTT DEVELOPMENTS OF ST. ANN & DEPORRES
courts could not enforce them without Although, the ruling permitted the The St. Ann housing development, Despite this, Vatterott insisted, over The DePorres development also lacked
violating the 14th Amendment to the Shelley family to own and occupy their pictured to the left and the DePorres resident’s opposition, that the golf the community facilities such as the
U.S. Constitution, which requires newly-purchased home, it had no housing development pictured below course, he built as part of the St. Ann park, playground, and golf course that
equal protection under the law. This major impact on discouraging racial it were built by Charles Vatterott. development be open to nonresident had been incorporated into the St.
decision was decided in two seperate segregation in America’s suburbs. The Vatterot, a devout Catholic, was a African Americans. He then went on Ann subdivision.
cases, however soon became known ruling did not cover rental apartments St. Louis-area builder with the most to build a separate, but lower quality Today the developments of St. Ann
as Shelley vs. Kraemer, a dispute that or newly constructed homes outside liberal attitudes on matters of race sub-division for African Americans and DePorres are vastly different.
took place here in the City of St. Louis. the city. It was in the suburbs that the during his time. named DePorres in the town of St. Ann is now an incorporated town
discriminatory practices in real estate, Vatterot began building St. Ann Breckenridge Hills, a few miles away boasting amenities not seen in other
Fern Kraemer, a white homeowner home building, and finance continued in 1943 under a Federal Housing from St. Ann. nearby local communities. Property
1 The Shelly vs. Kraemer House
living in the Ville neighborhood, unabated. However, the case was Administration (FHA) guarantee, values are high, houses are large,
2 Larman Williams House objected to the purchase of a home seen as a triumph for civil rights. intending it for lower middle-class The DePorres buyers had incomes and streets are safe and lawns are well
nearby her own by the Shelley family, The Shelley family was represented Catholics. Sales to non-Catholic occupations similar to those of St. Ann, maintained.
3 St Ann
who were African American. At the in the Supreme Court by an African Whites was allowed, but sales to yet because DePorres was intended for
4 Deporres
Blacks was not in accordance with African Americans Vatterott could not DePorres on the other hand is now
5 time, Kraemer’s neighborhood was American attorney and a prominent
Olivette & Elmwood FHA guidelines. Deeds on St. Ann secure FHA financing and so many of part of another community and so
under a restrictive covenant organized St. Louis civic leader named George L.
6 Bierne Park homes stated that “no lot or portion of the homes were rented. Vatterott did, does not have the strong identity St.
by the Marcus Avenue Improvment Vaughn.
7 DeSotto Carr Association made up of 2,000 a lot of builder erected thereon shall however set up a special savings plan Ann enjoys. In some neighborhoods,
property owners. The trustees of the be sold, leased, rented or occupied by by which residents could put aside houses remain small and of poor
any other than those of the Caucasian money to purchase their homes in the quality with lower property values.
LANDMARK MAP OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY race.” future.
On August 9, 2014, a Ferguson, He explains the creation of OLIVETTE & ELMWOOD, BIERNE PARK, AND DESOTTO CARR
Missouri policeman shot and killed “segregated public housing projects
Olivette in St. Louis County annexed after the Civil War by former slaves. erected a barbed-wire fence between
an unarmed black teenager. Michael that replaced integrated low-income
a portion of an unincorporated It had few paved roads or sewers. the Elmwood Park neighborhood
Brown’s death lead to protests across areas, federal subsidies for suburban
community of Elmwood Park in 1950. Olivette took the portion of Elmwood and the nearest white subdivision in
the country and brought the Black development conditioned on African
Olivette was an all white middle- Park north of the city but south of the Olivette. Throughout St. Louis county
Lives Matter movement to national American exclusion”, and “federal
class community while the Elmwood railroad tracks that bisected the area. today one can find driveways that
prominence. The national spotlight and local requirements for, and
Park neighborhood was made up of This provided more industrial land for once sat by houses that do not connect
was now on Ferguson and questions enforcement of, property deeds
37 dilapidated home that were often the growing city and created a physical to adjacent streets in order to create
arose concerning how a formerly and neighborhood agreements that
subjected to flooding from the Des barrier between Olivette and the rest physical separation between whites
white suburban community was now prohibited resale of white-owned
Pres River. Elmwood Park was settled of Elmwood Park. Soon after, Olivette and blacks.
majority African American. How did property to, or occupancy by African
this come to be? Americans.” Rothstein details how
We are taught to believe that “white inner ring suburbs like Ferguson were Bierne Park, was built on a site with Venables had their building permits the action in court but a Missouri
flight” is the cause. When African created with “municipal boundary a very storied history. One tool used approved and construction began when appeals court ruled that courts could
Americans move to the suburbs to lines designed to separate black nationwide by suburbs to maintain town residents discovered they were not inquire into the motives for a
escape poor inner city schools, the neighborhoods from white ones and to racial segregation was eminent black. A hastily organized citizents condemnation provided its purpose
white population moves elsewhere. It deny necessary services to the former” domain, the power to condemn and committee raised contributions was for public use. Fifteen years
is said that African Americans moved and “urban renewal plans whose seize land for public purposes. In to purchase the property but the later, the city again took similar
to Ferguson specifically because purpose was to shift black populations 1959, Howard and Katie Venable, an Venables did not not budge. The city action by ousting its one small black
of prejudiced real estate agents. from central cities ...to...suburbs.” African American couple, purchased a then condemned the property for use neighborhood, characterized by small
Potential homeowners are steered According to Rothstein’s research, residential lot in the mostly white St. as a park and playground known today homes on small lots in order to build
away from other towns through there were “real estate, insurance, Louis suburb of Creve Coeur. The as Bierne Park. The couple challenged Malcolm Terrace Park.
zoning rules that require specific lot and banking regulators who tolerated
sizes and single family homes. To and sometimes required racial In the WWII period the city of St. Louis for war workers and then returning land that was also once integrated.
rely completely on this narrative only segregation.” This history is little revised its public housing plans and veterans. St. Louis continued this In effect, the city of St. Louis had
acknowledges part of the story. There discussed and often overlooked. Yet designated the DeSotto Carr housing practice of racial segregation after the wiped away several integrated
were in fact historically, a whole host the places where this history took place project for African Americans only, 1949 Housing Act was passed. The act neighborhoods in favor of segregated
of very intentional federal, state and are all around us. Highlighted here with a separate project designated did not formally require segregation housing projects. When a federal court
local land use policies that mandated are 7 historic landmarks pertaining to for whites called Clinton-Peabody. but neither did it encourage integrated banned this practice in 1955, African
racial segregation. racial injustice in the St. Louis area. By Clinton-Peabody was built south of projects. Rather, it financed each as Americans were allowed to reside
In the Economic Policy Institute acknowledging and publicizing what downtown St. Louis in an area that was local custom. St. Louis used this formerly segregated housing projects,
article entitled “The Making of occurred at locations, we can work to was formerly integrated. Both of these program to build the John J. Cochran but by this time federal promotion of
Ferguson” author Richard Rothstein fight the racial segregation happening projects opened in 1942 initially Garden Apartments for whites only on white flight to the suburbs was in full
outlines these policies in great detail. in St. Louis today. swing.
14 #INTERESTING #INTERESTING 15
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
Most us went through the Hydraulic Press Brick Company, where we got transformed from raw
materials to what we are today: Bricks. A process of grinding, screening, being pressed into shape and
finally brought to the kilns to be burned.
....even to big cities as Chicago and New York, where they were used in
A lot of us travelled all over the country from east to west to serve different construction purposes... skyscraper construction.
Each of us, has its origin stamped on the topside. Today, bricklaying isn´t affordable anymore, so we get sliced into
thin bricks. One of us turns into multiple. Unfortunately, we lose a But People just love our patina, so we end up as interior cladding in bars or in
lot of our characteristics, for instance our structural strength. living rooms all over the country.
16 #HISTORY #HISTORY 17
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
THIRD WARD
anchor point of the street car system
The expanding city of Saint Louis a spinning pump system that made
(red lines on the map below). The
decides to construct a water treatment the need for water towers obsolete.
street cars are visible in this photo
plant at the site of the current Bissell However, the towers having been
of the Grand Avenue tower, opposite
Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. constructed from terracotta, brick
a horse and cart. The water towers
At this time, potable water was and stone to prevent the water in
helped serve as useful landmarks as
pumped by steam engine through their stand pipes from freezing, were
visitors arriving for the 1904 World’s
extremely sturdy and could not be
What are they for? the City’s water pipes, building up Fair navigated the City. St. Louisians
easily torn-down. What was the city to
excess pressure which could cause were extremely proud of this amazing
Standpipe water towers, built in the pipes to burst. To remedy this issue, do with them?
technology that brought water directly
late 1800’s were once used to release the Grand Avenue water tower was into their homes.
pressure from pressure-driven water constructed to hold a large iron pipe ,
distritbution systems in cities. They 5ft in diameter, which would allow the 1920-1930 NEW PURPOSES
were once common around the United release of excess pressure by pushing
CAST IRON
States and 423 of them are recorded Trying to make use of the now-
MOLDING large amounts of water up through a
AT TOP
to have existed. Now only six towers obsolete infrastructure, the City of
giant pipe concealed by a 154 ft tall
remain standing in all of the United Saint Louis repurposed the towers
brick-terracotta tower.
States, two of these just so happen to according to its needs. Aviation lights
be in the Third Ward. were placed on top of the Grand
Painted postcard of the Bissell Street
Avenue tower in the 1920’s to help
tower from 1888.
guide planes attempting to locate the
DID YOU KNOW local airfield. As time went on, these
towers became landmarks with local
1969 LANDMARK STATUS
THAT THE THIRD businesses proudly incorporating the
word “Tower” into their names so as to
These 19th century relics and
neighborhood landmarks were finally
WARD HAS 2 OF associate themselves with a particular
location in the city.
protected from demolition in 1969
when an official report was entered
THE 7 REMAINING into the National Register of Historic
Places.
STANDPIPE WATER
TOWERS IN ALL OF
BRICK AND TERRA COTTA EXTERIOR
What’s Inside?
Each tower is constructed of brick,
terra-cotta and stone. The base of the
Grand Avenue tower is pure stone
and the walls at its base at 2ft thick!
The shaft is tapered as it reaches the
top of the column, the wall at the top The Grand Ave water tower made it onto
measures 1ft in thickness. The top of this 1875 Pictorial St. Louis map by Richard
the column is made out of pure cast- Compton and Camille Dry. Note the farm
iron. land and dirt roads surrounding the tower.
STAND PIPE
In this photo from the Missouri History Excerpt from National Register of Historic
This is a drawing (on the left) shows 1886 BISSEL STREET Museum dated to the 1920’s, one can clearly Places report showing the precise location of
what the Grand Avenue water tower WATER TOWER BUILT see the Grand Avenue Water Tower’s entrance the Grand Ave Tower.
might have looked like inside. and tiny windows running up to the top of
Centered around a 5ft diameter pipe To accommodate its growing the tower.
made of iron is a spiral staircase population, St. Louis constructs
that allowed maintenance crews another water tower, this one modeled 1930-1960 THREAT OF TODAY:
access. Unfortunately the staircase after a minaret instead of a roman The Crystal Water Co. Map of St Louis in DEMOLTION A CALL FOR RESTORATION
5’
and iron pipe have been dismantled column. This one surpasses the Grand 1902 with street car lines in red. Note the
Avenue tower, standing at 195’ tall Requiring major upkeep, St. Louis’ St. Louis’ third water tower- Compton
and replaced with an iron ladder “Water Works” building at the bottom of the
and contains an iron standpipe 6 feet three water towers were under threat Hill Water Tower - located in Reservoir
that allows for maintenance access. map.
in diameter. to be demolished by the City. Local Park, near the intersection of S. Grand
2’
Bissell Street Water Tower (seen in
businesses and citizens rallied around Ave and Russell Ave. was restored in
the background of the photo at left)
the cause of preserving the landmarks the 1990s at a price tag of $19 million.
does still contain a staircase as it was
and when the City realized that it It is now is open for tours and one can
restored in the 1970’s. However both
would cost more to demolish the climb up the 198 stairs to the top. The
towers are currently closed to the
structures rather than leave them Bissell Street tower was last restored
public.
WATER MAIN in place, they relented. In 1954, the in the 1970’s by the U.S. Department
Grand Avenue tower underwent a of the Interior, however it is now
Both the Grand Avenue Tower and
restoration, and remained the pride of closed. The Landmarks Association of
BLAIR AVE
18 #HISTORY #HISTORY 19
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
SHAPE SHIFTING
how population shapes the ward
WARD 3 WARD 5 WARD 7
POPULATION DECLINE -28% POPULATION STABILITY +2% POPULATION GAINS +5%
2000
2010
Population
Under 2000 2000-2500 2500-3500 3500-4500 4500+
20 #HISTORY #HISTORY 21
INSIDE THE THIRD FALL 2018
BEYOND THE WALLS (2016) to provide a temporary face lift to MIKE BROWN MURAL (2014)
abandoned buildings, a source of light
ART HISTORY
for the community amid a long history
ARTIST: CHRISTOPHER GREEN of darkness. ARTIST: JOSEPH ALBANESE
Brown was fatally shot: he finished it
LOCATION: Page Avenue, St. Louis In an interview with the St. Louis LOCATION: 1902 Union Blvd, St. Louis that same day. This mural stands as
American, artist Christopher Green a visual reminder of this particular
In 2016, St. Louis nonprofit group said, “I had the idea of putting In 2014, the St. Louis community tragedy and many more like it, both
african-american history as seen through St. Louis’ murals Better Family Life commissioned
local artist Christopher Green to
dignitaries on derelict buildings as a
positive image, to show that people
came together to protest accumulated
injustices, namely the murder of
in North St. Louis and across America.
Creative resistance, like this piece
address the negative aesthetic effects from tough neighborhoods can become eighteen-year-old Mike Brown by of art, helps keep history alive while
of vacant homes and to build the respectable citizens.” Green, who Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. making sure that we keep fighting
WALL OF FAME (2017) morale of the community through grew up in “the Ville” neighborhood Artist Joseph Albanese began working against its systematic continuance in
the medium of art. This 2016 mural in St. Louis, understands the local on this mural just nine days after the future.
project sought to ameliorate the
ARTIST: Grace McCammond and visual and psychological effects of
issues that residents of this area face
on a daily basis. The “broken window
the Boys & Girls Club students living in a neighborhood with failing theory” corroborates the idea that a
infrastructure and that is continually deteriorated built environment can
LOCATION: 4243 Manchester Avenue overlooked by policy makers. Through communicate negative narratives
art, the neighborhood could move about a community to those outside
This 2017 art piece popped up in the forward together. and, unfortunately, those within. By
Tower Grove neighborhood after the using his artistry to address social
unfortunate removal of the original The art depicts famous and influential issues, he brings attention both to
“Wall of Fame” mural in 2011. black St. Louisians- artists, authors, the rich historical tapestry woven by
The artwork celebrates notable St. athletes, and more. Painted on colorful black St. Louisians and the inequities
Louisians from the past two centuries. backgrounds, the faces of these of housing stock in St. Louis.
Check them out below! prominent, successful black figures
BACK ROW: Henry Armstrong, James remind residents This project
Bell, Katherine Dunham, Nelly, Robert of possibility, illicits ideas
Guillame, Chuck Berry, Redd Foxx, Jackie
Joyner-Kersee, Dick Gregory, Miles Davis
even in the most
trying of times.
“I want to give hope for
temporary
other
Born in 1903 in Starkville, Mississippi, Katherine Dunham was an artist and a A pioneer of rock and roll music, Chuck Jackie Joyner-Kersee, while now
the
that
heights
previous
like this.” St. Louis. featured in Green’s work:
O.L. Shelton, politician
Stationed in a
Bell played in the Negro baseball
league from 1922 to 1946.
social commentator. Though born in
Illinois, Dunham made
Berry set the country on fire with his
original sound and ambitious
retired at the age of 56 years old,
is considered one of
St. Louisians
reached in their
-Christopher Green part of the city
historically left
Devon Alexander, pro boxer
Kevin Cunninham, police officer &
Bell was widely revered her mark in the art world musical work. A native St. the greatest track professional to deteriorate, Norville Brown, police officer boxing trainer
for his quick pace, leaving after settling in St. Louis Louisian, Berry continued and field runners in careers, so too can the city’s youth be this project proves effective
a legend of remarkable in the 1960s. A dancer, producing music until history. This East St. reminded of the inherent value of their predominantly because of its refusal Katherine Dunham, artist & activist Virvus Jones, novelist
athleticism in the face of choreographer, and he was 90 years old, even Louis native won six own lives, no matter the obstacles they to wait for outside help. Immediate
certain segregation when he activist, Dunham rightly putting out a record during different medals at might face. By creating a platform that actions with tangible results, these Donald Suggs, dentist & activist Robin Smith, news anchor &
died in St. Louis in 1991. earned her place on this his last year of life in 2017. four different Olympics. exposes kids to a variety of ways to murals promote the idea of strength politician
wall. succeed, St. Louis residents will feel from within, also standing as a signal Grace Bumbry, opera singer
SCOTT JOPLIN CORNELL “NELLY” HAYNES, JR. JOSEPHINE BAKER TINA TURNER empowered to follow whatever path to the outside world of the value and Betty Thompson, politician & civil
they lay out for themselves. resolve of this St. Louis neighborhood. Bernie Hayes, radio & civic leader rights activist
Scott Joplin is an early example of Nelly moved to St. Louis as a teenager Though born in St. Louis, Baker left After moving to St. Louis as a teen,
an appropriation of African- and gained local popularity as a America for Paris when she Tina rose to fame in her 20s after
Just as important as the subject Ultimately, the project works as a Zaki Baruti, community organizer Jet Banks, former state senator
American musical tradition member of the music was just 19 years old. collaborating with Ike
matter of the art is where the art visual reminder of the dual potentials
for white mainstream group the “St. Lunatics.” There, she became a Turner. An amazing
is being placed: on the boards of and limitations for black St. Louis Thelma & David Steward, Henry Givens, educator & activist
audiences. Joplin, “the Now an established notable entertainer and performer and talent,
vacant homes in St. Louis. Because residents. The art, a love letter to entrepreneurs & philanthropists
King of Ragtime,” made rapper, songwriter, and activist, even working for Tina Turner earned over
the city’s population dropped from black St. Louisians, works more Freeman Bosley, Jr., St. Louis’ first
ragtime music popular for entrepreneur, Nelly still the French Resistance 120 awards and had
over 1,000,000 to just over 300,000 subversively as a reminder of the William Clay, politician black African-American mayor
the masses, and even wrote remembers his St. Louis during World War II; her many top charting songs.
within the last century, St. Louis has inequality of housing policies in
two operas in his free time. roots, and resides there legacy is international. Look out for her next
a vast inventory of abandoned and St. Louis because of its positioning Ron Henderson, police chief Jimmie Edwards, judge
when not performing. musical hit!
dilapidated homes to pull from. These on abandoned homes. Hopefully,
MAYA ANGELOU HENRY ARMSTRONG paintings prove a tangible step towards projects like Green’s will help open Robin Boyce, talk show host Denise Thimes, jazz musician and
An icon of American poetry and literature, Armstrong holds a unique legacy in correcting this diaspora. Rather than up dialogs between city officials and performer
this St. Louisian has written on behalf
of American presidents
“You may not control all the events that the history of boxing. A world boxing
champion, Armstrong remains one of
waiting for the slow drudge of policy
to propel the city into the 21st century,
residents, so that everyone is given
equal opportunity to, one day, be
Tyrone Thompson, philanthropist
Anthony Shahid, civil rights activist
and Civil Rights activists.
Prolific, to say the least,
happen to you, but you can decide not to the only fighters two win
in three or more weight
the Beyond the Walls project uses art painted on the wall. Eddie Hasan, politician & community organizer
22 #HISTORY #HISTORY 23
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
STOP!
BOLLARDS IN STL
The City of St. Louis (which is an independent city separate from St. Louis by some residents as a way to decrease traffic on their streets. But, they’re also
County) has a tremendously fractured street grid, with a variety of physical criticized for hindering firefighters and police who respond to emergencies.
structures used to create cul-de-sacs or to otherwise block through traffic. Additionally, their untidy appearance is frequently a complaint.
These so-called “Schoemehl pots” and "Ingrassia balls" named for two political
K
Christine Ingrassia is the alderman who called for traffic calming measures in There is no more recognized symbol of grid interruption than the sewer pipes
the 6th Ward. Someone nicknamed the bollards “Ingrassia Balls” when they stationed in the middle of streets throughout St.Louis- “Schoemehl pots,”
first appeared in 2017. Ingrassia thinks these balls are useful and financially named for former mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl. Schoemehl's tenure brought
R
responsible measures for calming traffic. The pilot has been launched on the arrival of many of these pipes in 1982 with the hope of decreasing traffic in
Compton Avenue to discourage large trucks from using Compton as an alternate the streets by closing off streets, creating a space where pedestrians could feel
S COMPTON AVENUE
A
route to Grand Avenue. Discouraging larger trucks from using Compton as an more comfortable. The large-scale push from his administration to get the pots
alternate route to Grand was part of the plan — it’s better for commercial vehicles in the streets happened from 1982 to 1983, but wasn't without controversy.
to use major roadways rather than residential streets. But the narrow turns are While this infrastructural move closed off streets and confused traffic, it also
P
proving difficult for residents to navigate in their own, smaller cars as well. Mid-block Closures created spaces where residents could feel safer in their neighborhoods.
“What we are used to here in St. Louis are “It’s this blend of creating a sense that
LAFAYETTE
these ridiculously wide lanes,we just had ‘this is my street,’ while keeping it
a number of pedestrians and cyclists not reasonably accessible for people who live
feeling safe.” on that street.”
Christine Ingrassia, alderwoman of Ward 6, spearheaded an effort to slow traffic along Compton Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr. was the 42nd mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, serving
Avenue, using $300,000 of her ward’s budget. Multiple Closures three terms from 1981 to 1993.
SHENANDOAH
Simple Closures
R U S S E L L
like a prisoner in my
own neighbourhood. "
24 #INTERESTING #INTERESTING 25
INSIDE THE THIRD FALL 2018
N.Vandeventer Rain Garden Planter Boxes in Jeff VanderLou Beacon Ave Rain Garden in Walnut Park Geraldine Ave. Rain Garden
Mis
RAIN GARDENS?
I-
sis
70
sip
pi
Riv
er
Background parties (a consent decree) which Why is this a Problem? The process of water filtering through
required the MSD work to fix this issue. the plants in a rain garden also filters
In 2007, the Environmental Protection By 2012, the consent decree was Untreated sewage contains toxins, out the potentially harmful pollutants
Agency (EPA) filed a lawsuit against officially in effect and numerous trash and pathogens that are extremely that the stormwater carries with it
the Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer system-wide infrastructure projects harmful to people if they come into such as animal feces, heavy metals,
District (MSD) for its violation of the were started. These projects, all meant contact with this water. Its discharge asbestos, bacteria, and oils from
Clean Water Act, accusing MSD of to reduce or eliminate the discharge of into rivers also leads to algae blooms cars. When the water has returned Ward 3
discharging large amounts of untreated untreated sewage into waterways, are which can cause fish and other aquatic to the ground, it can be used again
sewage into the Mississippi River. estimated to cost of approximately life residing in waterways to die. for drinking. If the planting of
By 2011, the Department of Justice $4.7 billion spent over 23 years. Therefore this is something to avoid, rain gardens is multiplied across a
filed a settlement between the two and if possible, eliminate all together. neighborhood, this can lead to a major
reduction in stormwater washing into
What Now? the sewer system during a rainstorm.
Thus the MSD decided to partner future development manage its buildings or parking lots (surfaces that
da
Wastewater with the Land Reutilization Authority stormwater run-off on-site through cannot be penetrated by rainwater) by
Bo
Green-Infrastructure Treatment A combined sewer and stormwater as the location of its $3 million-dollar (LRA) to decrease the amount green-infrastructure and not through 9.4 acres.
Plant A pipe built to carry stormwater
is
Pilot Program Area collection system is an old-fashioned Pilot Program from 2011-2015. Part of
u
Extent of Mississippi River. When it is raining, infiltrating into the ground. The MSD to construct neighborhood-scale
To separate out the approximately
Ci
Ward 3
Combined pipes that lead to a wastewater and the Bissell Point Wastewater thus funded $1.5 million dollars in (3) Putting in place a development rain gardens in the Third Ward and
Sewer System treatment plant. If it begins to rain 10,000 miles of combined sewer lines
Treatment plant cannot handle all of LRA demolitions on parcels in North incentive for the parcel, stating that surrounding wards. Access to land
a lot, the system gets so full of water that the MSD currently maintains
the combined sewage and rainwater, it St. Louis and worked to implement one should a future development be became a crucial part of the MSD
that it can no longer be processed would involve digging up all of the
overflows through 17 different CSOs, of three different green-infrastructure considered on the parcel, the parcel’s being able to carry out its massive
by the wastewater treatment plant. streets in St. Louis and could cost as
directly into the Mississippi River. strategies on these properties: stormwater is already filtered through green-infrastructure program as part
Instead of allowing the untreated much as $7,000 per foot to replace,
adding up to a whole lot more than the a large, neighborhood-scale rain of its consent decree with the EPA.
wastewater to back-up into people’s North St. Louis also has a large number (1) Planting of a rain garden on garden, that is owned and managed
homes (a major health-hazard), the $4.7 billion dollars currently set-aside
of vacant or abandoned land parcels the parcel (if topography and location by the MSD. Welcome to the Third Ward, MSD!
water “overflows” out through a pipe for this project.
Green-Infrastructure – some with structures on them and away from occupied buildings were Going forward, we hope you will better
Focus Area an into the nearest body of water, in some without. The MSD recognized favorable) According to the MSD, the LRA and communicate your intentions to the
this case, the Mississippi River. The A rain garden, by comparison, is much
these parcels as potential MSD’s partnership resulted in the community, working with us and not
CSO or combined sewer overflow is less expensive to install, involves
little maintenance, and can be left in demolitions of 221 buildings on 219 just for us.
the pipe through which the untreated
CSO wastewater “overflows” into the river. place for an indefinite period of time.
It also beautifies the city with green
How do Rain Gardens help vegetation and wild flowers. Lastly,
er
reduce the number of CSO rain gardens allow for water to filter
iv
R
Rain gardens and other forms of Stormwater flowing out of a pipe into
iss
M
St. Louis developed through the main The expansion of the city was wide high income inequality neighborhood these abandoned properties are
how the city and population have changed Now the city has become known
for its medical and pharmaceutical
just the physical manifestations of
a city suffering from a shrinking tax
abandoned buildings presents a major
fiscal challenge, the deteriorating
remain. These population changes
in North St. Louis can be easily
understood through maps.
institutions. base, a decline in public services, and fabric of the neighborhoods where
Hyde Park Over Time
1910, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1950, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1996, Aerial photo 2018, City of St. Louis GIS
St. Louis World’s Fair opens - 1900s Vehicles in traffic - 1920s St. Louis smog in daylight - 930s Pruitt-Igoe housing built - 1950s Demolition of Pruitt-Igoe 1960s Dr. Martin Luthor King Dr. 1970s Cochran Gardens demolished 2000s Protests in Ferguson 2010s
5,000
1,000,000 2,000
vacant buildings
total po
pulation
white
popu
lation 15,000
500,000 13,000
employment
population
tion
black popula
1950
1910 population Pruitt-Igoe 1990 2018
Pruitt-Igoe demolished Michael Brown murdered in
peak public housing built
Fergurson
30 #LANDUSE #LANDUSE 31
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
A PRIVATE PERSON OWNS THE LAND?
LAND OWNERSHIP
WHOexamining
OWNS THE LAND?
Often homeowners care to keep their homes in good condition: mowing the lawn,
taking the trash out, keeping the front and back yards free of litter. Homeowner
IN WARD 3 wealth is tied to real estate. However, often in disinvested communities,
where speculators are buying up land, house values depreciate. Lack of home
maintenance might be the result of an owner who is no longer able to afford the
dues on a house, leading to deteriorated maintenance. Two houses might belong
properties in st. louis to single owners but may appear drastically different. There are no generalized
characteristics of privately owned properties. Though much of Ward 3 succumbs
to vacant and abandoned land, there are still many privately owned homes.
SPECULATION IN WARD 3, entered a Redevelopment Agreement COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, Prospective homeowners have the
with the city that allowed him to
PRIVATE OWNER THE STORY OF NORTHSIDE receive tax incentives. After ten AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY opportunity to buy a home but enter a
MOST
REGENERATION LLC years, the project has still not broken Community Land Trusts (CLTs) renewable lease with the CLT to lease
Paul McKee is a formidable property ground. The land remains vacant, are nonprofit, local organizations the property beneath the building.
NORTHSIDE
developer and real estate speculator for with no promise of development. that guarantee long term housing When a homeowner sells, they make
REGENERATION LLC
McEagle Properties. He’s a powerful Meanwhile, McKee has received over affordability. The trust, comprised money from the sale but a portion of it
(SPECULATOR) NORTHSIDE
REGENERATION LLC figure in the St. Louis community, $43 million in tax credits from the city. of community members, acquires goes to the trust. This ensures that the
(SPECULATOR) on the board of BJC HealthCare, the land through purchases or property remains affordable for future
LEAST city’s largest employer, and a sponsor McKee was continuing to covertly donation. The trust maintains low to moderate income families.
to both political parties, whoever buy up properties in the northern ownership of the ground.
The ruin-like appearance of St. Louis, the landownerowns several other
speculator and private owned neighborhood
private homes and vacant lots will further his business agenda. neighborhoods in St. Louis. Despite prospective buyers purchase the building
its patchwork of brick, industry, properties, where the lightest color
resident objections, he refuses to sell
abandonment, and vacancies is the expresses an owner who possesses one For the last decade McKee has been the empty lots, even to legitimate
result of a deep and tragic history plot, perhaps their own house. This buying properties in St. Louis’ north buyers. This past summer on June
of federal and state segregation spectrum varies throughout St. Louis side under the Northside Regeneration 12, the city nullified its agreement
regulations. Delmar Boulevard divides but there is a large concentration of LLC. He’s proposed the Northside with McKee and his ambitious yet
the city into two distinct and unequal darker patches in the northeast portion Regeneration project to redevelop the fictional redevelopment project. As of
halves. The southern district consists of the city. The properties with darker neighborhoods to include commercial that decision, Northside Regeneration
mostly of white residents, brick houses, colors could be a result of vacant lots centers, retail, office space, new homes, LLC owned 1,630 properties in
and tree-lined streets. The northern taken over by the LRA or speculators and parks. As part of the project he the city, second only to the LRA.
parts of the city house large populations buying property and time. These
of black residents where there are occurrences correlate with the racially
scattered buildings fragmented by black parts of St. Louis, suggesting
crumbling buildings and empty lots. that there are fewer individual
These visual differences are the lasting homeowners in this area, or that
results of racist housing policies previous homeowners were no longer
implemented by the city years ago. able to pay for their homes and that
The map above illustrates this the properties were either abandoned
narrative by drawing the city as a or bought. In contrast, the South
tapestry of ownership. Each parcel side most likely is filled with streets
is colored based on the number of homes where the landowners live,
of other properties the landowner thus reinforcing St. Louis’ histories neighborhood of privately owned homes
owns. The darker colors show that of segregation over the last century. the CLT owns the land beneath
32 #LANDUSE #LANDUSE 33
INSIDE THE 3RD WARD FALL 2018
34 #INTERESTING #INTERESTING 35
INSIDE THE 3RD WARD FALL 2018
Discover the murals in the neighborhood HOW TO APPLY FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION:
STEP 1:
Commission an architectural or historic survey of the area being considered
Ward 3
for historic designation. This will later become evidence to help show why a
particular area deserves historic designation.
https://undergroundart.weebly.com
STEP 2:
Once a survey is completed and one of the following takes place (A) 10% of the
proposed district’s property owners, or (B) the Alderman of the ward, or (C)
the staff on the St. Louis Preservation Board agree(s) that the neighborhood
deserves recognition, a petition is filed and sent to the Preservation Board and
Board of Alderman of St. Louis.
STEP 3:
The Preservation Board and the Board of Alderman hold multiple public hearings
to discuss the proposal, and then they must vote to approve the petition for a
historic district.
1902 N. Union Blvd.
Historic District
“THEY DON’T BUILD THEM LIKE THIS NO
Open Space MORE. THIS IS 3 LAYERS OF BRICK. THEY
Structure
Built before
1918
JUST DON’T BUILD THEM LIKE THIS AT
0 1.5 3 mi
ALL.” - Eltoreon Hawkins, Author of the ‘Finest 15’
1400 St. Louis Avenue 2703 N 14th St
What does this mean for Types of Funding for Fixing
the property owners and Up a Property Inside a
neighbors? Historic Distric
Once a neighborhood has been Federal:
designated a historic district, A tax credit is granted by the Internal
the community creates a set of Revenue Service to property owners
rehabilitation and design standards for 20% of construction costs incurred
that govern the historic district for it on the upkeep of a historic property
to maintain a historic look and feel. for 5 years from the start of occupancy.
The standards are put into place in For example, if one spent $10,000 per
the form of a city ordinance. When a year for 5 years to fix up a house one
5415 Page Blvd 2600 N 14th St N Florissant Ave & N Market St property owner decides to renovate was living in, that amounts to $2,000
their building, they are eligible for back per year for those 5 years, or a
grants and tax credits to offset the $10,000 tax credit in total.
cost of their renovation, specifically
because their property falls within a State:
historic district. The renovation must The Missouri Department of Economic
St. Louis has inspirational murals empty mundane walls of buildings. of Gateway Arch. The annual event caused jeopardy of being shut down
be approved by the City of St. Louis Development offers a 25% state home
in different neighborhoods and on They do not only entertain, but give started in 1997, is held every labor day of the event. However, it started again
Cultural Resources Office to make rehabilitation credit to properties
designated art walls. Above is a certain subtle messages as well as weekend. in 2013 with 300 artists and around
sure it follows the city ordinance that located in a recognized historic
mural map of St. Louis where one can initiate sensitive conversations. Also, 1,000 attendees appreciating the art.
was put in place by the community to district. To qualify, the renovation plan
discover these beautiful pieces of art. there are some annual mural events Paint Louis was started with a small
maintain the historic look and feel of must be submitted to and approved by
you can visit in St. Louis: group of local artists in 1995. In 2001, Check out these events and more at:
that district. As a renter in a historic the State Historic Preservation Office
Murals play a role as a valuable public because of the event’s success and https://www.stlpaintlouis.com/
district, one benefits from these (SHPO). Fortunately SHPO offers
service: They invite and bring people The Mural Mile is a graffiti wall which popularity, some graffiti artists who
improvements as they help to keep addtional grants from their Historic
into vertical spaces. They create is located along the riverfront, on the were not given the space to paint A house with a slate roof on Athlone Ave in the 21st Ward of North St. Louis, dating this home
vacant homes from being demolished Preservation Fund. For more info
inspiration and empathy by filling in Mississippi River floodwall, south threatened to bomb the city, which
and make the neighborhood safer. visit: https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo to the early 1900’s.
36 #INTERESTING #HOW TO 37
INSIDE THE 3RD WARD FALL 2018
what makes you reluctant to get to the riverfront States. However, the distance to the
river has gotten farther since the
economic center of the city has moved
On this page, face the obstacles you
might see when you try to reach the
Mississippi River from the residential
to the west. This distance is not just area by solving the maze puzzle!
38 #HOWTO #HOWTO 39
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
A GUIDEneighborhood
TO WARD 3 PARKS
PARK BREAK DOWN
ever wonder how many sports fields there are in ward 3?
how much space the do you think trees take up? P
lets find out.
WINDSOR did you know SPORTS FIELDS TAKE UP THIS MUCH SPACE TREE CANOPIES TAKE UP THIS MUCH SPACE
built 1947 Windsor Park used to
be quarry?
FAIRGROUND
built 1908
1 FAIRGROUND PARK On opening day thirty black swimmers 2 CITYBEAUTIFUL attractions. He planted thousands of
trees, developed a drainage system,
RIOT lined up at the entrance with the ST. LOUIS AND 20TH designed views and open spaces.
did you know In 1913, Fairground Park was
regualrly attending white swimmers.
The greenery aimed to diminish
Plant4Peace planted home to the largest public pool
Throughout the day a large crowd of CENTURY PARKS the pains of an overcrowded city.
new trees in Yeatman white residents violently gathered The City Beautiful Movement sprung
in the American Midwest. At four up in the early twentieth century to Kessler followed up by designing
Park last fall at the gates of the pool. They held
hundred and forty feet long, the pool reform architecture and cities. City the Kingshighway Commission, a
baseball bats and clubs, shouting
could hold up to twelve thousand Beautiful emerged alongside city circular boulevard design which
hurtful slurs and profanities at the
swimmers... Twelve thousand white planning, both serving as methods connected several greenways to
black swimmers. As the crowds
swimmers. to alter the built environment the park. This plan provided green
expanded, the white police officers
aesthetically and to improve city space, street paving, riverfront
escorted the black swimmers out of
As St. Louis’ black population moved resident’s behaviors. The theory was design, planted trees, and building
the pool but made no attempts to
North, pressures increased to open that if the city was attractive, citizens monuments. The key remnants of this
subdue the belligerent masses. The
to the pool to all. John O’Toole, the would be encouraged to take better planning effort include the St Louis
riots became aggressive and physical.
city official in charge of parks and care of their neighborhoods, thus City Hall Building, the Civic Courts
This event must not be erased from
pools, stated that he “could see no avoiding undesirable activities like Building, and the Public Library.
YEATMAN basis for keeping negroes out of the
the collective memory of the city.
crime. The Kessler city plan also revealed
It represents a culmination of a long
built 1906 pools. They are citizens like everybody
history of forgotten racial divisions in St. Louis adopted the City Beautiful that the resident’s west of Grand
2 else and have every legal right to philosophy in 1902 by forming the Boulevard had one acre of park
the city. While the pool is no longer
enter any public facility.” Thus, the Civic Improvement League. With land per 96 people, but between
segregated, the effects of those policies
pool opened to all on the first day of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Grand, and the river, there was one
are still evident and embedded into
the summer season, June 21, 1949. approaching, the government decided acre for every 1,871 residents. This
the way the city operates today.
to invest in urban reform and local realization led St. Louis to establish
environmental improvements. a permanent City Plan Commission
WHAT ARE YOU Visitors would flock to St. Louis for in 1911 to focus on these disparities.
the exhibition and the fair became The development of the Commission
LOOKING FOR IN YOUR
did you know an excuse to revitalize the city. aided in the implementation of
LOCAL PARKS? STRODTMAN several playgrounds for neighborhood
Strodtman Park was St. Louis hired American Landscape
email upgraded with the help built 1924 Architect George Kessler to create children like Strodtman and
gsdinward3@gmail.com of Students 4 Change? the city’s first comprehensive plan Windsor Park. However, the city
with your ideas to connect the street grid with a had invested too much money on
series of green boulevards and the exhibition and did not have
parks. Kessler redesigned Forest enough left over to implement all
Park, today one of St Louis’ main of the planning recommendations.
40 #HOW TO #HOWTO 41
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
42 #LANDUSE #LANDUSE 43
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
MOW TO OWN
increase your property by mowing for 24 months!
An eligible
Mow to Own Plot
Must Be:
Less than 40 feet
wide Owned by the LRA
Not bordering
more than 3 LRA
properties
2. Mow
Once all the paperwork is set, get out
your gardening gear and, of course, your
mower! The Forestry Division is going
to come by every now and then to check
on your plot and make sure you keep up
your side of the bargain. As long as you are
mowing your plot, you are allowed to use
it immediately.
Buying a mower isn’t too expensive either.
Hand pushed lawn mowers start at $47.
You might want to consider investing into
a motorized one though. These start at
$85, but you should consider that the list
of best mowers at popularmechanics.com
which start at $280.
Mow to own is an opportunity that is
getting very popular. In 2017 alone, 74
parcels were claimed.
3. Own
After 24 months you get a deed in your
This map shows all the plots that were claimed name for the mowed plot, and then it’s
through the Mow to Own program inside the 3rd all yours! You can use it to build another
Ward. house, host parties, or just plant a chair and
enjoy a cold beverage on your property.
Given that this also applies to businesses,
you could add an outside terrace to your
restaurant! Or expand your kitchen!
Beware that you will have to pay property
taxes on your new lot. Given the size of the
average vaccant plot owned by the LRA,
this should total around $50 per year.
44 #HOWTO #HOWTO 45
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
tuckpointing drywalling
cutting plastering
grinding
painting
WANT TO LEARN SOME REHAB SKILLS ? JOIN THESE YOUTH PROGRAMS BELOW !
What can I learn? What can I learn? What can I learn? What can I learn?
Drywalling, painting, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, Tuckpointing, Workshop experience, working with power tools, A variety of skills in the construction field (earning
carpentry, journal writing, real estate trade brick repair on exteriors and basement stone foundations computers, drawings, model-building and problem solving differnt certifications), gardening, landscaping
16-22 years Age: 12-18 years Age: 10-18 years Age: 16-24 years
46 #HOWTO #HOWTO 47
INSIDE THE 3RD WARD FALL 2018
IT’S POSSIBLE!
disrupt a neighborhood’s sense of community and lower property values. In a side lot with your lot, you only need to pay about 30% of the side lot’s original
theThird ward, the biggest problem is the number of vacant lots and the lack price. We calculated the price/sqft of the lots for residential use with the side
of community involvement. The best way to help reduce these problems is to lots, and surprisingly some lots only cost $0.15/sqft. We created this map and
purchasing a vacant lot in the 3rd ward can be easy and cheap
own a vacant lot by yourself and build a nice property on it to build up the the instructions to help you explore the possibilities of purchasing a lot. Feel free
community. You might think that is not possible since the price is too high to take a look at the map and maybe consider buying one.
COLLEGE HILL
- Residents: Own a lot for garden for $1.00 a year Tax Return Example of
The “Garden Lease” Program encourages the creation & W-2 Form Pay Stub Price: $0.15/sqft, Area: 7120sqft
of vegetable and flower gardens, which allows residents 6. Two most recent pay stubs, or proof of income LOW
to lease LRA lots for a five year period for $1.00 a year - Other proof of income: Letter from Employer, Profit and Loss VACANCY
($5.00 total). Statement, Social Security Benefits Statement
AREA!
$1.00/year
$1094 NEAR
ELMENTARY
STEP 04 1. Make an appointment through (314) 657-3721 SCHOOL !
SUBMIT 2. Pay the fee through check to St Louis Development Corporation Price: $0.36/sqft, Area: 3006sqft $1445
[SLDC].
THE
3. Go to LRA office at 1520 Market St., Suite 2000, St. Louis, Mo 63103 LEGEND ($/SQFT)
A P P L I C AT I O N 4. Apply before 12 noon Oct.10 for the Oct.31 meeting and 12 noon Under $0.20
Nov.13 for the Dec.5 meeting for consideration Price: $0.20/sqft, Area: 7130sqft $0. 20 -$0.40
Discover more at the LRA website $0.40 - $0.60
through this QR code > $0.60
48 #HOW TO #HOW TO 49
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
THE FINEST 15
how you can buy your own neighborhood back !
Just follow these 5 steps:
#1
Follow the Finest 15 on Facebook to
keep track of upcoming events and
Who is part of the Finest 15 team. What is the most common Do you collaborate with
What are your responsibilities problem these houses have? builders to help people conduct new updates !
and how do you split up your a renovation?
No plumbing and possible leaking
work? We don’t collaborate with builders.
from old gutters.
There are currently four of us: We understand that these homes are
What are the estimated costs to #2
Myself (Angela Drake), Eltoreon not in their price range to make any
rehab a Finest 15 house?
Hawkins, Lillie Clay and Alvin Willis.
We cannot estimate an exact cost. It money from that buyer and a lot of Join a workshop to be introduced
I am Co-Chair of Finest 15 and thus times these are people who don’t have to the Finest 15 houses in your
always depends on what the buyer is
responsible for public relations. a very large budget. We are looking to
trying to do. Prices can be pretty low neighborhood.
Eltoreon, as Co-Chair coordinates create a contractors/handymans list.
for basic upgrades or become extreme
different operations, and manages We will be speaking with Habitat for
with a major renovation.
social media, including the Facebook Humanity on getting some contractors
You conduct workshops on the
videos. He also conducts property current list of Finest 15 houses. that we can add to our list. #3
tours for perspective buyers and gives What is the history of these
workshops and how successful Schedule a house tour with me or the
presentations at the workshops on Do you offer inspections or
steps to renovate your home. Lillie are they? certificates on the houses, city to see the property.
When we started in May of 2017 we had for instance lead, asbestos,
Clay gets in contact with people to mould or contamination, for
attend and speak at workshop. Alvin seven people at our first workshop. At
our 4th workshop in February 2018 we perspective buyers?
Willis as our LRA committee support, No, those are things the buyer needs
works with the LRA to pick homes for had 165 people and it was a standing- #4
room only. to speak with a inspector about.
the list, taking photos, and advertising Finally, get your papers ready,
Angela Drake and Eltoreon Hawkins in front at the workshops. How do you communicate the including LRA application form,
events and how can people
of a Finest 15 house.
How do you evaluate and follow your updates?
project plan and credit statement.
rank the vacant houses. What We communicate our events by posting
What is the Finest 15 ? knowledge is needed? Do you get
on Facebook. SLACO shares with all
The Finest 15 is a workshop that help from external resources?
of their neighborhood members who
provides information on how to The committee looks at the
share with others by word of mouth or
purchase LRA properties and offers neighborhood we plan to advertize
Facebook.
resources to help renovate those and checks the inventory of what is
properties. available. Alvin and I go out to preview
homes and then we talk about their
How did the Finest 15 idea condition. This helps us determine
emerge? which homes we are choosing as a
Three years ago, the St. Louis committee.
Association of Community
Organizations (SLACO) started a
initiative to tackle vacancy. Each
“We always tell people
member chose a committee to
participate on and four of us choose to send us an email if
to serve on the LRA Committee.
they are interested in
Discussion at a finest15 workshop.
When we started meeting, we talked Have there been major changes
about our goals. We decided our goals in the behavior of buyers
would be to educate people on how
to purchase an LRA property and get
a workshop for their towards vacant houses?
I would say yes there are always
resources to fix up that property. So
we started having workshops called neighborhood and we can changes in behavior when someone
is excited about something they can
the Finest 15 and we advertised the
best 15 properties in the neighborhood put them on our 2019 purchase and excited about making a
difference in a neighborhood.
that were for sale by the LRA.
What is its relationship to the schedule! “ How many houses did you sell
in the last months?
LRA? We currently don’t have total numbers
When we started our committee we for the previous month. Recently, we
asked the Director of the LRA, Laura Eltoreon Hawkins on a house tour in the 3rd advertised 20 homes in the Walnut
Costello, if we could meet to discuss ward. Park Neighborhood and helped to sell
with her what our objective and 27! So that is seven homes that weren’t
What are the most important
goals were. From there we created a even advertised. I did share these
things folks need to take care of
relationship with her office that has properties with people that called
buying a Finest 15 house?
been really supportive. me personally and were interested.
(1) We always encourage people after
How do you try to achieve your they purchase this home to purchase Also from our workshop at the Hyde
goals and what strategies and insurance to protect their investment. Park Neighborhood Association there
processes are involved? (2) Map out a plan of what you are are now at least four homes under
We try to achieve our goals by having doing so that you don’t become contract and possibly ready to close.
different resources at the workshop overwhelmed. Do you have experience working
speak in-person to give the audience (3) See if you are able to utilize some in the 3rd ward?
information that will assist them with of the resources we shared at the No we never did a workshop in the
making this purchase. I [Angela] do workshop and start on their project Third Ward.
a presentation that teaches who, what, soon as possible to not let the home sit
where, when & why. Those are all vacant. The questions and answers
things that should be thought about (4) Make sure you have secured the provided here are based on a e-mail
when someone wants to purchase one building to best of your ability to Selection of Finest 15 houses at a workshop. correspondence with Angela Drake,
of these properties. protect your investment. Co-Chair of the Finest 15.
50 #HOWTO #HOWTO 51
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
(20-25)
STL YOUTH JOBS
http://stlyouthjobs.org/
WHAT’S NEXT?
If you want to see even more
Free Summer Camps opportunities for youth in the
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/depaments/
parks/news/free-kids-summer-camps.cfm
FIND A JOB? Third Ward, be sure to reach out
(20-25) the Link STL Youth Council. They
are ready and willing to listen to
The City of St. Louis and Playtime Recreation announce open your needs and concerns.
registration for free summer camps for City youth ages 5-17. Your voice DOES matter, and with
a little help, we can create a positive
Art/Basketball/Cheerleading/Cooking/Fishing/Football/Robotics... change in the neighborhood. You
are not alone. Together we can
achieve success!
Blueprint4Summer
https://blueprint4summer.com/
52 #INTERESTING 53
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD
hundreds of people from outside the city and constructors to bid the work
neighborhood who might search for out to find a fair deal. If the repairs
housing close to work, and justifying cost between $1-$10,000, the cost will
existing residents’ fears. Luckily the be in the form of a forgivable loan. For Carr Square
St. Louis Community Development the first 5 years after the project, 20%
Administration with HUD funding of the principal, interest free loan, will Columbus Square
is providing money to residents in be forgiven. After 5 years of paying
some of the neighborhoods in North 80% of the loan, if the homeowner is
St. Louis for repairs. Fixing existing still living in the home, the entire sum
problems with a house will increase will be forgiven, and the homeowner Midtown
property values and decrease the will have no further obligation. If your Downtown West
likelihood of the government taking repairs cost more than $10,000, the Downtown
away your home through eminent first $10,000 will be in the form of
domain. a forgivable loan and the rest will be
considered an interest free deferred Residents within these boundaries can use repair programs.
The Community Development payment loan. This will need to
Administration has allocated funds to Columbus Square, Carr Square, the home, have paid your real estate taxes,
be paid back by the time the deed northern third of Downtown West, the and be up to date on your mortgage
the North Newstead Association. The changes names, or the house is sold,
funds are distributed to two major northern third of Downtown, and the loan payments.
and the remainder of the payment will bottom of Near North Riverfront (see
programs. The first is the Choice be transferred back to the home repair the map above). In order to qualify The second program, the Minor
Neighborhood Home Repair program. program. for the program you must meet or fall Home Repair program is to aid home-
This program funds serious home
below the minimum required income, ownership seniors, 62 years or older
repair for projects up to $30,000, such This program is in effect for residents
own and live in your house for the with small repairs. This includes leaky
as roof replacement, tuckpointing, living in the eastern tip of Jeff-Vander-
last two years, have a clear title to faucets, needing grab bars installed,
replacing HVAC systems, etc. Lou, the bottom half of St. Louis Place,
the property, have insurance for your replacing small sections of pipes, air
the bottom half of Old North St. Louis,
conditioners inspected or cleaned,
installing ceiling fans etc. Residents
are eligible if they meet the age
requirement, are homeowners paying
CHOICE NEIGHBHORHOOD HOME FREE MINOR property taxes and insurance and are
residents of Mark Twain/I-70, Wells-
REPAIR PROGRAM HOME REPAIR Goodfellow, Greater Ville, Ville, Carr
Square, St. Louis Place, Jeff-Vander-
do you need help with... Lou, Old North St. Louis, Penrose,
roof replacement
O’Fallon, Fairground, or Gate District.
tuckpointing
54 #HOWTO 55
INSIDE THE THIRD WARD FALL 2018
Chop Suey!
chop suey comes in many shapes and sizes in the ward
DID YOU KNOW? The Add-On The Stand-Alone The Stand-Alone
The aim of Chop Suey was to integrate country. While it is very diverse today, Its hard to drive by this place and pass it when you’re hungry – Jarvis Henrys is the best. – Lady Best St. Pauls EVEERRRR!!! – Stuffy
Chinese Immigrants into American most of the Chinese cuisine in America
society. Like many others they were seen as was Cantonese until the 1970’s, until
inferior by the American population. The people from other parts of China started
first Chinese men arrived during the Gold moving to the U.S..
Rush in California, to work in the mines These drawings classify Chop Suey
and then went on to build the railroads, restaurants in St. Louis into three different
to then slowly spread towards the East. building typologies: The stand-alone, the
Discrimination led them to open their own add-on and the inside job.
businesses: laundries, grocery shops and
restaurants, resulting in “Chinatowns”. In The stand-alone caters to the idea of the
many cities these were the only restaurants cowboy. With great self eastem it defeats
that served African-Americans during the all the troubles of the Wild Wild West by
period of segregation. itself. The Add-on would love to have the
bravery of the stand-alone and is nearly
Today, the U.S. counts more than 40,000 there, but sill holds on to another building,
Chinese restaurants: that’s more than clinging to it for security. The inside job is
every McDonalds, Burger King and KFC stealthy. Hiding inside the envelope of a
restaurant combined! This proves that greater block, it is often found on bigger,
Chinese cuisine is in high demand in this busier streets, blending in.
Bing Lau Chop Suey – 3101 N Grand Blvd Wing Hing Chop Suey – 3900 Natural Bridge Ave Newstead Chop Suey Cat Fish – 3812 Newstead Ave
58 #INTERVIEW 59
INSIDE THE 3RD WARD FALL 2018
During our trip to the 3rd ward from to inprove the living condition of the race,but from various races and they are and what they do. We also
ORGANIZATIONS WE MET
September 23 to September 28, neighborhood, building affordable neighborhood, even cities that are provided the contact information of
we’ve met varies intereting people housings for low income people, far from the 3rd ward and St. Louis. the founders or main members of
and have had so many meaningful advising gorvernment to promote However, during our trip, we found each organization. We encourage you
conversations. These meetings equity-driven policy making and that most of the residents in the 3rd to contact these organizations if you
showed us how energetic this ward providing educational programs ward still don’t know that there are so found that they can provide something
is and how talented people here are. for teenagers. It is also very excited many people and organizations who you need or you are interested in the
we met many organizations who can support and help the local community during the trip There are people who are trying to
provide job opportunities and income
to see that people who are making
tremendous efforts to eliminate
are trying and are able to help them.
We made this map with a description
things they are doing.
for other residents, organizing events racism are not only from a single of these organizations about who
“FORWARD THROUGH FERGUSON” SWEET POTATO PROJECT Hyde Park Neighborhood Association ANTI-RACISM COLLABORATIVE
The vision of the North City Food Hub Sewcial Impact Project is a social enterprise
(NCFH) is to make a local food system working with ten young people, ages 12-20
in North St. Louis a reality. The NCFH to reflect on their current experiences from
has a shared use kitchen and functions as around the city, imagine radical alternatives,
an incubator for entrepreneurs in urban and produce quilts depicting scenes from
agriculture.They provide culinary arts the world they have imagined. They recently
training with the goal of connecting people to held an event with local youth to sew protest
Forward through Ferguson is a group that employment opportunities. They also assist banners.
Sweet Potato Project is a program that The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association Anti-Racism Collaborative’s purpose is to
emerged in the after-math of the death local food producers by providing a space for Contact Information:
seeks to empower low-income youth and was formed to connect neighbors – both provide education and awareness to persons
of Michael Brown. After coming up with them to process and sell their products, which Umeme Houston
adults through land-ownership and urban renters and homeowners. They work to who feel compelled to act on issues related to
recommendations to remedy community- increases the availability of healthy food on CCP Lead, Sewcial Impact
agriculture. The project was designed to promote and foster community activities racial inequality. They are primarily a group
police relations in Ferguson, MO and the the North Side of St. Louis. umemejay@gmail.com
promote urban farming, basic business skills, and civic engagement while improving the of white anti-racist activists who, through
surrounding areas, they now strive to continue Contact Information:
healthy behaviors, and healthy choices. It quality of life for those living, working, or extensive self-reflection and thoughtful
this work with St. Louis institutions. By Dr. Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman
provides a 10-week summer program for attending institutions within the Hyde Park community organizing, further an anti-racist
providing information, trainings, and policy Project Coordinator, North City Food Hub
students through which they can earn an neighborhood. agenda in the St. Louis area.
recommendations their goal is to ultimately alayna.ncfhstl@gmail.com
income while they learn. Contact Information: Contact Information:
embed racial equity into all aspects of society. Contact Information: Michelle Dufe James Meinert
Contact Information: Sylvester Brown South Hyde Park Developments Anti-Racism Collaborative
David Dwight Program Director, Sweet Potato Project mduffe@ndconsulting.com ?? CONTACT INFO
Executive Director, Forward Through sylvesterbj@gmail.com
Ferguson david@forwardthroughferguson.
org
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#INTERESTING #INTERESTING
FALL 2018
WHO WE ARE
Hi, I am Kun and I am currently I am studying landscape architecture I am a Master of Landscape I am a Master of Urban Design
learning architecture design at the at Harvard Graduate School of Design. Architecture student. I’m interested in student. I am interested in shifting
GSD. I like traveling and watching I want to investigate into public spaces making places that address social and the focus of design to a more human-
movies. in St. Louis! environmental inequalities. centered experience.
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EXPLORING A NEW PERSPECTIVE, TESTING LIMITS, EXPANDING POTENTIAL
SUMMER 2019
Design Discovery is a six-week summer program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD).
We welcome people—from recent high school and college graduates to seasoned professionals—who want to explore
the possibilities. Some of our participants are considering a career in design or planning, but not all. Design Discovery
appeals to people with a broad spectrum of interests and remarkably diverse plans and goals.