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Archive

This project is no longer active. All submitted place stories have been archived below.

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Investment in North and South St. Louis City

 

Reggie reports that in Walnut Park East, vacant lots and abandoned houses cost the same as “new” houses. He wants St. Louis City Government to invest the same money and resources into the Walnut Park East neighborhood as it invests South St. Louis City.

Reggie is a long time resident of Walnut Park East, graduating from Northwest High School. He is known as the “historian” of the neighborhood.

 

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Reggie
Location Category: Scary or Unpleasant Places, Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.702515000000
Longitude: -90.248238000000
Issues with Community Gardens

Tony S. does not understand why gardens should be planted if there are no restaurants in the Walnut Park East community to “sell produce” to. He is also concerned about who will maintain gardens. 

Tony S. is the owner of The Kutt Factory Barbershop at 5768 W. Florissant Ave. He has maintained the shop for four years.

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Tony S.
Location Category: Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.693603000000
Longitude: -90.251892000000
Issues with Hodiamont Greenway Proposal

 

In this video, Barbara describes the issues that she takes with the Hodiamont Greenway proposal. She believes that “pretty” could make problems in the neighborhood and could promote gentrification.

Barbara Murphy is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.

Interview conducted 2019.

 

Neighborhood: Vandeventer/Gaslight Square
Contributor: Barbara Murphy
Location Category: Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.651884000000
Longitude: -90.252434900000
Juanita Park

Juanita Park is a small playground that attracts people from the surrounding blocks.  It is important to Robert as a place where he has seen his son grow up.  Robert moved to Shaw in 2014 with his family to be near the City Garden School that his son attends.

Neighborhood: Shaw
Contributor: Robert Paulett
Location Category: Places That Promote Community
Location:
Latitude: 38.610687000000
Longitude: -90.250373000000
Judge's Home

 

Vanessa described her mother’s struggle to buy a empty lot next to the her home. She also described neglected homes on Cora Ave. that belong to City of St. Louis employees.

 

Vanessa was born and raised in the Greater Ville. She can be found sitting on the stoop of her family home.

 

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Ville and Greater Ville
Contributor: Vanessa
Location Category: Scary or Unpleasant Places, Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.667458000000
Longitude: -90.245790000000
Judge's Home Part 2

 

Vanessa described the condition of homes across the street from her mother’s home. Vanessa was interested in buying one of the abandoned properties, but the owners do not want to sell. She also described a home across the street owned by a judge that is used as a training site for the St. Louis Fire Department.

 

Vanessa was born and raised in the Greater Ville. She can be found sitting on the stoop of her family home.

 

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Ville and Greater Ville
Contributor: Vanessa
Location Category: Scary or Unpleasant Places, Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.667458000000
Longitude: -90.245790000000
Klemm Blaine

This area contains several new houses next to older, renovated buildings, along with smoke stacks from the factories in the background. Arun feels that this juxtaposition of the old and new makes Botanical Heights unique. He explains that the neighborhood is rediscovering its character, with a combination of residents who have lived here for years, as well as some who have only recently moved in. Arun has lived in the Botanical Heights neighborhood for only a few months of 2015.

Neighborhood: Botanical Heights
Contributor: Arun Varadhachary
Location Category: Historic Places, Places of Local Identity
Location:
Latitude: 38.620217000000
Longitude: -90.252995000000
Kutt Factory Break-In

 

Tony S. describes the break-in at his barbershop, The Kutt Factory, the day after Thanksgiving, 2014, during the Ferguson protests. He thought that the intruder came from the Walnut Park East neighborhood, but he was informed by community members that the intruder was not from the neighborhood.

 

Tony S. is the owner of The Kutt Factory Barbershop at 5768 W. Florissant Ave. He has maintained the shop for four years.

 

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Tony S.
Location Category: Places of Local Identity, Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.704019000000
Longitude: -90.247438000000
Lack of Community Gathering Places

Vincent Nyman struggles to think of any place in the community where the community can gather, outside of the communtiy garden or his church. 

Neighborhood: Baden
Contributor: Rev. Nyman
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.710641000000
Longitude: -90.232516000000
Lack of Places In Walnut Park for Inclement Wether

 

In this video, Devin talks about the places of places to go when hot or cold in Walnut Park. She says the neighborhood needs a 24-hour community center for this purpose.

Devin R. is an employee of Beginning Futures Learning Center in the Walnut Park neighborhood.

Interview conducted April 2018.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Devin R.
Location Category: Places to Go When Hot, Places to Go When Rainy, Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.699578050996
Longitude: 90.256462097168
Lack of Reputable Restaurants in Walnut Park East

 

Tony S. complains that there are no “reputable restaurants” not only in the Walnut Park East neighborhood, but throughout urban neighborhoods in St. Louis City. He thinks it is “pathetic” that gas stations ‘feed our neighbors.”

 

Tony S. is the owner of The Kutt Factory Barbershop at 5768 W. Florissant Ave. He has maintained the shop for four years.

 

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Tony S.
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Places to Eliminate or Change, Places to Go When Hot, Places to Go When Rainy
Location:
Latitude: 38.704019000000
Longitude: -90.247438000000
Laclede School

Sharie R. discusses her love of Laclede School when she was a child. She recalls that many outsiders attended the school in addition to neighborhood children. She recalls that the curriculum was nice, after school activities were fun and children enjoyed and had positive relationships with their teachers. She also describes growing up on Maffitt Avenue.  Sharie grew up in Wells Goodfellow.  Like many current residents, she inherited a house in the neighborhood that was owned by her mother. Recorded on July 30th 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Sharie R
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Places of Local Identity
Location:
Latitude: 38.677412000000
Longitude: -90.276573000000
Laclede School

Long time resident and graduate of Laclede School in Wells Goodfellow discusses in this clip her memories of the building. She shares fond memories of warm and helpful teachers, a beautiful building inside and out, and her appreciation that her children and grand children are able to attend the same neighborhood school she had. Recorded on August 15th 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Rosita Thompson
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Places to Protect
Location:
Latitude: 38.677311000000
Longitude: -90.276501000000
Land Next Door

 

In this video, Laneece describes how the empty land next door to the Beginning Futures Learning Center should be changed.

Born and raised in Walnut Park, Laneece D. is an employee of Beginning Futures Learning Center in the Walnut Park neighborhood.

Interview conducted April 2018.

 

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Laneece D.
Location Category: Places to Eliminate or Change, Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.696012700000
Longitude: -90.253441300000
Langston School

In this clip, local resident Abdul discusses with a friend memories of his time at Langston school in Wells Goodfellow. He expresses confusion at why it sits abandoned when it served as the neighborhood school where friends and family walked to each morning.  Abdul P is a young man who lives just north of Natural Bridge Road but spends a lot of time in Wells Goodfellow. Recorded on July 30th 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Abdul P
Location Category: Places of Local Identity
Location:
Latitude: 38.673140000000
Longitude: -90.270803000000
Langston School

Annetta Archibald, a long time resident of the neighborhood discusses briefly her memory of Langston School upon opening in 1967. She said it was beautiful and state of the art for the time. She also mentions her confusion at why all the neighborhood schools are beginning to close.  Recorded on July 25th 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Annetta Archibald
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Historic Places, Places to Go When Hot
Location:
Latitude: 38.673084000000
Longitude: -90.270882000000
Lewis Place Gate

The Lewis Place Historic Gate is on the National Register of Historic Places and was constructed in 1895.  The Lewis Place Improvement Association has been trying to restore it to its original historic condition.  The Gate draws people to the neighborhood.  The Gate is a point of pride for the community because it represents the breaking of the color barrier that Taylor Avenue once represented.  It also attracts visitors from other neighbrohoods.   Mr. Willis has lived on Lewis Place since 1990 and is president of the Lewis Place Improvement Association.

Neighborhood: Fountain Park/Lewis Place
Contributor: Alvin Willis
Location Category: Historic Places, Places to Protect
Location:
Latitude: 38.653747500000
Longitude: -90.251155300000
Library

Rick believes the library has offered a great deal to the community. It fosters community engagement, provides educational events and programs, and gives a sense of togetherness. It also provides access to the internet to people who might not have it at home. The library offers information as well as a place to share it among the community. Rick has lived in the neighborhood since about 2005. 

Neighborhood: Shaw
Contributor: Rick Regis
Location Category: Places That Promote Community
Location:
Latitude: 38.612862000000
Longitude: -90.266992000000
Ligget Myers

William believes revitalizing the Liggett Myers building would help to revitalize the community as a whole. 

Neighborhood: Botanical Heights
Contributor: William Hinton
Location Category: Places to Protect
Location:
Latitude: 38.621297000000
Longitude: -90.252863000000
Lot

An overgrown and vacant lot on Abner Place has deteriorated since the building that once stood there was torn down.  It now attracts unwanted pests and garbage. Paul B moved to Wells Goodfellow from Chicago in 2008 and enjoys the tranquility of the neighborhood.  September 2016.

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Paul B
Location Category: Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.678120000000
Longitude: -90.261722000000
Lot for Meditation Garden

 

In this video, Mrs. Crea describes how an abandoned lot at Cook and Pendleton Aves. shows how the neighborhood has changed, and how the lot represents hope for the future. The lot once housed the practice for an African American physician, and plans are in place to turn the lot into a meditation garden.

Delores McCrea is a long-time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.

Interview conducted October 2018.

 

Neighborhood: Vandeventer/Gaslight Square
Contributor: Delores McCrea
Location Category: Places of Local Identity
Location:
Latitude: 8.652382100000
Longitude: -90.244585600000
Lot with Tree

Green spaces are good for the neighborhood as long as someone takes care of them. Reggie wanted to buy the lot across the street from his house. He liked the tree on the property and wanted to build a tree house in it. 

Reggie is a long time resident of Walnut Park East, graduating from Northwest High School. He is known as the “historian” of the neighborhood.

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Reggie
Location Category: Places to Protect
Location:
Latitude: 38.702399000000
Longitude: -90.248238000000
Low Income Homes

Aberha dislikes this area because the people who live in these houses are often loud. Aberha moved to Botanical Heights in the 1980s due to the affordable housing and the proximity to both his workplace and his siblings.

Neighborhood: Botanical Heights
Contributor: Aberha Zerai
Location Category: Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.620637000000
Longitude: -90.246192000000
LRA

 

Pastor Dr. Irving explained the process of purchasing two houses across the street from Greater St. Paul from the Land Reutilization Authority.

 

Pastor Dr. Irving, his parents, six sisters, and three brothers moved to Walnut Park in 1968. Pastor Irving leads the congregation at the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Gilmore Ave.

 

Interivew conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Pastor Irving
Location Category: Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.702929000000
Longitude: -90.248698000000
LRA Lot

Annie Cooper speaks about the LRA lot across from her home that she maintained for five years.  She opposed current plans to develop the property for special needs housing.  Annie Cooper has lived in the area for over fifty years and remains active in local politics. Recorded on June 4th 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Annie Cooper
Location Category: Historic Places, Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.665140000000
Longitude: -90.276229000000
Maffit and Clara Property

This property burned several years ago and a young boy died.  This place and several others in the vicinity should be demolished.  Valerie moved to Wells Goodfellow with her parents in the 1960s.  Later in life she moved back to the neighborhood. Recorded on June 6th, 2016

Neighborhood: Wells Goodfellow
Contributor: Valerie Henderson
Location Category: Places to Eliminate or Change
Location:
Latitude: 38.675706000000
Longitude: -90.271433000000
Magnolia

Magnolia Street, across from Tower Grove Park, is a beautiful part of the neighborhood. The old homes and trees, combined with the activity of the neighboring park, provides an interesting atmosphere. Sean moved to the Shaw neighborhood in 1991, and loves the community and the environment around it.

Neighborhood: Shaw
Contributor: Sean Thomas
Location Category: Beautiful Places
Location:
Latitude: 38.608092000000
Longitude: -90.250805000000
Mama Anne's Daycare

 

Lex Sims and Company state that although the house next door to their home is abandoned, it should not be torn down. They describe the house as a “landmark” since Mama Anne, their childhood babysitter, ran a daycare in the house.

Lex Sims and Company live three houses down from the intersection of Genevieve and Harney Aves. Their house is a neighborhood gathering place.

Interview conducted July 2017.

Neighborhood: Walnut Park
Contributor: Lex Sims
Location Category: Places to Protect
Location:
Latitude: 38.698683000000
Longitude: -90.245779000000
Mann Elementary

 

Andrew feels that Mann Elementary serves as a community center for the area, and enhances the local character. Andrew has lived in Tower Grove South for just over 5 years, and enjoys the diversity and friendliness of the area. 

Neighborhood: Tower Grove South
Contributor: Andrew Arkills
Location Category: Places That Promote Community, Places of Local Identity
Location:
Latitude: 38.602326000000
Longitude: -90.254684000000
Marshall Residence

 

In this video, Mr. Westbrook describes the change over time of a property on Washington Ave. To Mr. Westbrook, the construction of a new house on the property shows how the neighborhood has changed for the better.

A member of the community since the 1970's. Mr. Westbrook is a long time resident of the Vandeventer neighborhood.

Interview conducted October 2018.

Neighborhood: Vandeventer/Gaslight Square
Contributor: Henry Westbrook
Location Category: Beautiful Places, Other
Location:
Latitude: 38.646024400000
Longitude: -90.249674200000

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