Friday, April 4, 2008

31 Days of Blairmont... and counting

If you have not have not done so already, please take a look at a month-long series by Rob Powers here at the Built St. Louis Web-log. Each day for the past month Rob has been posting about buildings owned by Paul McKee's Blairmont and several other shell companies that have amassed over 660 properties in several North St. Louis neighborhoods, many of which contain historic buildings that have been allowed to rot and decay or worse.

I bring this to attention on his site because the outright assault on buildings by Paul Mckee collectively represents the greatest threat the urban built environment in St. Louis today. Buildings are being lost on a regular basis due to brick rustling (which may be encouraged or even organized by McKee), fire, or simply collapse due to severe neglect.

Please have a look at this sad chronicle, and please contact the politicians listed on yesterday's "What Can I Do" post and tell them that this f***ing madness needs to end NOW!
For a more in-depth look at the devastation including a map of all the properties, check out Michael Allen's: World of Blairmont.

4 comments:

john w. said...

Perhaps more can be done than contacting politicians?

Anonymous said...

An excellent series, thanks to both of you for covering it....makes my blood boil! I put a link to it on my St. Louis page too.

Anonymous said...

It's time for the war room.

Anonymous said...

Slay and the north side alderman must be on Mckee's side here. I live in Old North and have complained to Slay and other alderman to no avail. What a shame. I am now another person who loves this city but leaving because of the corruption that continues here even in 2008. Good Luck St. Louis!