Update: As of late January, demolition is complete and the bricks stacked (third photo).
I made a startling discovery at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Hebert Street in mid December of 2019, where I have been coming and documenting for over a decade. As part of the City’s effort to demolish vacant buildings, this beautiful row of Romanesque Revival apartments was next to fall victim.
Why the demolition of this building was so urgent, when there are dangerous, ruinous derelicts sitting right in the middle of heavily populated neighborhoods is beyond me. I have stated publicly on many occasions I do not oppose the demolition of dangerous vacant buildings in populated areas that pose a risk to children or adults–this is not the case here. They were structurally sound. The streetside memorial will remain.
Chris, I agree. That bldg could have served as the cornerstone of a new development in the surrounding vacant areas someday. This demolition is an indication of STL enforcing eminent domain on stable vacant property. Instead of working with the community, STL seems to be clearing the area to start over someday.
Someday…indeed. Someday always seems to be just around the corner, and then it never gets here for much of our city.