Comments on: Blazes in Blairmontland

By: Douglas Duckworth

Douglas Duckworth — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:06:41 +0000

There should be no lobbying. Take his property through eminent domain. He’s a fucking slumlord. Beyond that he’s in violation of Federal Law. He’s blockbusting. We can evict white property owners for Loughborough Commons, but we can’t throw out the asshole McKee?

The argument that the property will simply go over to the LRA is inane. With planning the City could divide his projects, nominate some to a district, and get them redeveloped. But they are fucking idiots.

They drank the cyanide laced cool-aide. This situation is dead from the beginning and no positive outcome will arise.

By: North Side Resident

North Side Resident — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:26:20 +0000

The process sucks. What’s the alternative. Take the aldermen out of the equation. Who is going to lobby McKee and what are they going to ask him to do?

By: Douglas Duckworth

Douglas Duckworth — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:55:06 +0000

I’ve gone to the meetings, written officials, and I can gladly say that I don’t want anything to do with this corrupt process. I don’t currently live in North St. Louis, but I do work there and spend more time than most Southsiders. I have enough experience to see what’s going on. Moreover, your provincial mentality, attacking those who don’t live there, is quite detrimental. Ward boundaries change every 10 years while only caring about what goes on ones immediate neighborhood is one explanation of St. Louis’ decline.

By: North Side Resident

North Side Resident — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:22:04 +0000

Not surprised that Doug fails to see what card can be played. Since he lives in southwest city, he’s not part of the process here and quite removed.

For anyone who actually wants to effect change here, I’d recommend getting to know those people who are a part of the process and not hurling insults about the north side aldermen from safer quarters in south city.

Yes, the aldermen are part of the process — for better or for worse. April Ford’s family has lived in Old North for more than a half-century, and her father has actually purchased vacant buildings to stabilize them. The Fords care a lot about the future of the area, and while they may not be showing great leadership on the McKee issue could use some constructive dialog.

There is a lot to be done to change the dynamic with McKee, but it won’t come from keyboard commandos who won’t even live in the north city they claim to know so well.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:14:34 +0000

Doug,

I never got the impression that the aldermen in question were the brightest bulbs on the Christmas Tree.

By: Douglas Duckworth

Douglas Duckworth — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:59:41 +0000

I fail to see what card can be played when North Side politicians have sold out their constituency. Regardless of their current stance, they lobbied for the tax credit. Maybe after the fact they’re upset, but the local control provision only ensures that their “hesitance” correlates with more payoffs. Perhaps I’m cynical but when African American leaders sign on for Negro Removal I’m just about dumbfounded.

By: barbara_on_19th

barbara_on_19th — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:26:52 +0000

Northside residents have tried hard to play the political hand, including traveling to Jeff City to lobby against the DALA tax credit bill. We keep consistently losing neighbors and buildings, year after year, so don’t tell me we are in a good position.

Correct me if I am wrong, but when the city bills McKee for clearing away the burned building, he makes 50% tax credit on the cost of acquisition PLUS the cost of the emergency demo (if he can be shamed into paying).

By: North Side Resident

North Side Resident — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:41:59 +0000

The situation is far from hopeless. McKee has not unveiled any plans, and is staying quiet. There is no redevelopment ordinance at the Board of Aldermen. The aldermen for the 5th and 19th wards have severed ties to McKee and desperately need the political support of activists. I think north side residents have been dealt a pretty good political hand, despite the building losses, and need to play it fast.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:33:26 +0000

This post is moving. As a far-detached observer (New Orleans), I rely on my St. Louis blogging posse to maintain that visceral connection to my home city. Thus, I feel your pain and hopelessness as my own.

I’m in the process of trying to do whatever I can via long distance (lots of calls, emails, essays, and blog posts).

By: Douglas Duckworth

Douglas Duckworth — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:40:21 +0000

And Barbara there is paperwork with that messy court system.