11-05-2025
Demolition looms for two vacant buildings near Downtown St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – Two vacant buildings just north of Downtown St. Louis appear to be on track for demolition after city officials say a fire last weekend caused significant structural damage.
The properties, located at 1301 North 6th Street and 1308 North 7th Street near O'Fallon Street, sit just a few block north of the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis' Columbus Square neighborhood.
City property records show the buildings are owned by Northside Regeneration LLC, a development entity associated with Paul McKee, whose large-scale redevelopment plans for north St. Louis have drawn criticism in recent years.
Following the recent fire, the City of St. Louis Building Division tells FOX 2 it 'initiated emergency condemnation proceedings under its Emergency Provisions protocol,' a step that allows the city to move quickly when a structure poses an immediate safety concern.
The Building Division shared this statement with FOX 2, in part, on behalf of Commissioner Ed Ware:
'During this process, a representative of the property owner contacted the Building Division to communicate their intent to engage a licensed demolition contractor. In light of this development, the Building Division has temporarily paused the emergency demolition process to allow the property owner's representative time to obtain the necessary documentation to proceed with demolition.
The City of St. Louis' Building Division remains in active coordination with the property owner's representative to ensure all required permits are secured prior to the commencement of demolition activities.'
While the exact demolition timeline remains unclear, the city's actions appear to be part of a coordinated effort to address the two damaged buildings in the interest of public safety.
NOTE: Video attached to this story is from FOX 2's April 24, 2025 report of an effort to address vacant buildings in St. Louis.
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