ST. LOUIS – The Medium Security Institution known as “the Workhouse” is set to be demolished December 16, 2024. Mayor Tishaura Jones announced the date, stating, “The unacceptable and inhumane conditions that many detainees at the Workhouse suffered cannot be forgotten.”
“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.”
She pointed to ordering the closure of the jail shortly after becoming mayor in 2021. Now, the facility is empty of detainees.
Most of the buildings, including guard towers and former women's housing facilities, will be demolished, but they will keep the fence to secure the site.
The land will go through phases for redevelopment:
Phase one: demolition and memorialization
Phase two: plans are in development for an animal shelter, an environmental evaluation, and relocating aspects of the City’s tow lot.
Last year the City of St. Louis took time to hear from the community about options for the property and the demolition was among the recommendations. Also, they plan to create a memory marker as requested.
“As we take these steps forward, we must include the community where we can. 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,” said Mayor Jones.
“The purpose of this engagement is to inform the scope of the Request for Proposals that will be released to implement the design,” said the City in a press release.
Those who want to contribute their memorial concepts can submit them on the City’s website by clicking here. The City will accept submissions until the deadline of November 1, 2024.
Submitters will be credited for their concept but are not required to construct their idea.
A collaboration of the Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri History Museum, the Griot Museum of Black history, and other community partners will evaluate submissions.
