Building the Problem?

No matter what part of the city or the counties you drive through, it won't be too long before you see an abandoned building along your way.  Crestwood Court is one of the largest you will find.  This mall, first built in 1957, was one of St. Louis's first area malls, and now it has been vacant for almost 2 years.  As such, it has become a burden on the city who must monitor it constantly to ensure that it does not become host to a plethora of crime.

Crestwood Court Mall

Less than twenty minutes away, you find this building, with several broken out windows, creating quite the eyesore.  This building is adjacent to a metalwork facility, and maybe used in part, by that company, but its dilapidated state is problematic, both aesthetically and environmentally.  It too, has been left in this state of disrepair for at least two year.

Hanley Road - Brentwood

Though this problem can be found in all parts of the city, the problem gets exponentially worse the closer you are to the heart of the city.  The Crunden-Martin Manufacturing Company is a seven building complex, the first of which was built in 1904.  It has been partially or completely vacant since 1990 when the company filed for bankruptcy.  It was bought in 1992, when leasing signs were posted, but there have not been any interested parties- some twenty years later.

Chateau's Landing - Downtown St. Louis

The next building stands in ruins just blocks away from the city's prized Gateway Arch.  What appears to have been an apartment complex is now completely exposed with a collapsing roof and missing wall.  This picture only captures a small wing of the large building.  Now it serves as a graffiti canvas, and a safety hazard that doubles as a refuge for the homeless, brave or desperate enough to enter its premises.

Near the Gateway Arch - Downtown St. Louis

This building in The Hill has No Trespassing signs posted along its perimeter.  Yet, while there may be an interested party in the ownership of the property, it's pretty obvious that this building has been abandoned for quite some time and it has fallen into total disrepair.  It sits on a city block, surrounded by other buildings, houses, and of course, much more concrete.  But look carefully...

Off Boardman Street - The Hill

I didn't notice them at first either.  These two deer have made this rubble their home, surviving off of what limited resources are here, since so many places like these, places that we have ignored and forgotten, have replaced the green forests they are meant to flourish in.

So why are we letting this happen to our town?  We're ignoring the places we already have, yet we are still building more, even when we have so many we aren't even using.  Why do we keep turning green spaces...

Off Highway  - Chesterfield

...into concrete places?

To be a Menards Department Store
Hanley Road - Brentwood

While it's true that some organizations, such as hospitals, are not always adaptable enough to re-purpose unused buildings, and location can be very important to the success of a business, it is imperative that our community find a way to re-purpose and recycle our abandoned structures before they reach the acute state of disrepair that turns our community into a dangerous and hideous wasteland.

Some small steps have already been taken.  Union Station, for example, was a bustling train hub in the last part of the 1800s.  But by 1980 travel via train had declined too dramatically to keep the station opened.  However, because of its National Landmark status, the building had to be maintained.  It was remodeled and in 1985, it was reopened as a hotel, and it is still functioning as such today.  We need giant leaps like these to correct the problem of abandoned, dilapidated buildings in St. Louis today.

Union Station - Formerly a train station...

Union Station - Now a hotel and mall.

Room at the Inn

The Room at the Inn, a non-sustaining shelter in the St. Louis area, offers short-term assistance to people who need help during difficult transitional periods in their lives, be it from the loss of a job, a house fire, foreclosure, or other economical issues.  It is an organization truly dedicated to serving a need in our community.  They very humbly try to help clients turn their lives around and find success again.  Above are photos from their day site featuring some of the most powerful aspects of the shelter that were the most surprising and moving:

The broken sunglasses next to the old, tattered chair.
The baby's crib in the corner of a cramped room.
The colorful children's play room, kept very neat.
The rows of clothing with a handwritten sign that reads, "INTERVIEW CLOTHING -See Mary"
The peeling window sticker that reads, "Everyday is a gift."

   It's very clear that the workers are very devoted to their work.  They try to help the maximum amount of people they can with the resources available to them.  Today they told of women who have given birth to new babies while in their program.  It is incredibly difficult to imagine the pain and hopelessness a new mother might feel bringing her child back to a shelter in a reused car seat.  Our community is fortunate to have an organization such as this to help end that pain and to give hope to the people who are looking for it.  It is a reminder that every day truly is a gift, and that we should be grateful for every opportunity we have each and every day.

Little Italy

Little Italy is one of the older suburbs of St. Louis and one of the last to retain its ethnic heritage.  It features many Italian style restaurants and markets as well as Italian namesakes on most of the street signs.  The neighborhood proudly displays its red, white, and green colors everywhere it can, from street signs to fire hydrants!

I must say though, having spent the summer in Florence, Little Italy leaves a bit to be desired if you truly want to experience the Italian culture and spirit.  It is very much Italian-American culture, as indicated by the flags flying throughout this little suburb, not to mention the noticeable absence of great Italian art.  Where is Michelangelo when you need him?

Missouri Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is quite possible the most beautiful site to see in all of St. Louis, especially in spring.  When they are in bloom, the flowers create a colorful oasis that you can easily lose yourself in!  The large dome, the Climatron, is home to some of the more unique tropical plants.  There are some truly unique and fascinating species there!  The nearby Herbarium is a great place to learn about climate change and conservation efforts.  The Lantern Festival, held at the Gardens every summer, is sure to be a spectacular event, too!  I've never been, but having seen the beauty of the flowers in bloom, I can't wait to see what magic the gardens hold during the lively festival.

"We all have secrets, some we share and some we have to keep to ourselves."
-Anonymous

Even dandelions are more beautiful at the Gardens!

St. Louis Public Art

Gateway Arch and Graffiti Wall

     The Gateway Arch has been Missouri's claim to fame since the building's completion in 1965. Known for the unique structure and bird's eye views of the downtown cityscape, the Arch is St. Louis's most well known and probably most visited monument.  It is both beautiful and strong, despite what visitors at the bottom and at its peak might think.  It can be seen swaying in the wind from the bottom and felt from inside.  Rest assured, though, it is as structurally sound today as it was 50 years ago.
     The nearby Graffiti Wall, on the riverfront flood wall, is much lesser known, but it is equally as interesting.  The city allows graffiti artists from around the country to come and legally paint on 1.9 miles of the city's flood wall.  Still painted from the 2014 round, the visible artwork includes Disney references, Robin Williams tributes, Star Wars characters, and political statements; the latter can be seen below.

Citygarden
     Citygarden, in the heart of downtown St. Louis, is a family getaway- an oasis- amongst the tall buildings and hot concrete in the city.  Running along Market Street, the park features large sculptures, some of which are interactive.  Some move in the wind, some you can walk through, and many feature water streaming or shooting up from the ground.  It spans a few city blocks and features artworks depicting a large pink suit, a form of Pinocchio, and a pair of white rabbits.  It is  great place to go on hot summer days, especially when you're getting antsy.  And the best part is, this hidden gem is free!

Laumier Sculpture Park

     This unique St. Louis city park, now 105 acres, features large abstract sculptures, primarily from American artists.  It is now famous for being one of only a few open air "museums" in the world.  The park is large and the artwork is distributed throughout it.  Some of its art includes a sugar molecule-balloon dog hybrid, a giant blue eyeball, and an egg-shaped form.  It's a wonderful place for a picnic in the early spring and late fall when the crowds are smaller and when it is cool enough to walk around the park grounds to see the special sculptures.  I went late in the afternoon and was fortunate enough to see the park in the last rays before sunset.

     

“The trick to forgetting the big picture is to look at everything close up.” 

                    ― Chuck Palahniuk