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.