Mayor Tishaura O. Jones on Wednesday announced that the demolition of most buildings at the former Medium Security Institution known as “The Workhouse” will begin by December 16, 2024.
“The unacceptable and inhumane conditions that many detainees at the Workhouse suffered cannot be forgotten,” said Jones.
“Our community deserves better than to see the facility continue to stand as it did, so I am pleased that we can now move forward with the demolition.”
Jones ordered the facility closed shortly after taking office in 2021, and it is empty of detainees.
Most of its structures, including guard towers and former women’s housing facilities, will be included in this demolition. The fence will remain to secure the ground.
Re-envisioning the Workhouse is happening in phases, according to the mayor’s office.
During phase one, the Administration is committed to demolition and memorialization.
Phase two will be announced at the beginning of the new year, and plans in development for phase two include an animal shelter, further environmental evaluation, and the relocation of aspects of the City’s tow lot.
As part of a community engagement process that began in 2023, the Administration is also pursuing a recommendation to create a memory marker.
“As we take these steps forward, we must include the community where we can,” Jones said.
That is why I’m asking for anyone who feels moved to do so to submit concepts, drawings, designs, poetry, or written descriptions for a memorial for those who suffered at The Workhouse.”
Individuals wishing to take part in this process are encouraged to learn more and to submit their concepts online at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/initiatives/msi/msi-public-idea-submission.cfm.
Participants will be credited for their work but are not required to develop their submission on the site of the facility. Anyone, whether they consider themselves an artist or not, is invited to submit ideas.
With the public’s recommendations, A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released to implement the design.
Evaluations of the submissions will be done in collaboration with the Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri History Museum, the Griot Museum of Black History, and other community partners.
Individuals who also wish to implement their design will be encouraged to submit their proposal for consideration as part of the City’s RFP process.
The deadline for submission is Nov. 1, 2024. The RFP for implementation is anticipated to be released in December.
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