~ In a bold move to address the ongoing issues at the Railway Exchange Building in Downtown St. Louis, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones has taken decisive action alongside the Department of Public Safety (DPS), St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), and Greater St. Louis Inc. (GSL).

On May 17, Mayor Jones stood with city leaders and challenged SLDC and GSL to come up with a realistic and ambitious plan to tackle the problems at the Railway Exchange Building and the adjacent Millennium Hotel within 120 days.

In response, the DPS hired Citizens Guard Security (CGS), a security firm with previous experience at the building, to provide a strong visible presence and deter crime before it occurs. This partnership between public and private entities has successfully put an end to the building's reputation as a magnet for criminal activity.

"We are utilizing public-private partnerships to address the issues at the Railway Exchange Building," stated Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. "We have also made it clear to the owners that neglect will no longer be tolerated in our city."

On June 28, 2024, SLDC sent a letter to Hudson Holdings, the owners of the Railway Exchange Building, informing them of the City's intention to acquire the property through the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA). This development board is staffed by SLDC and will submit an offer letter to purchase the property from Hudson Holdings.

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According to Neal Richardson, President & CEO of SLDC, this aggressive approach is necessary in order to secure and stabilize the building for future redevelopment. After extensive discussions with potential developers and legal experts, it was determined that eminent domain was necessary due to complex financing structures and encumbrances on the property.

The letter also serves as a warning to Hudson Holdings that if LCRA is unable to reach a binding agreement with them, then the City will file for eminent domain in Circuit Court.

Kurt Weigle, Chief Downtown Officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc., expressed support for the City's actions and emphasized the need for swift and decisive measures to address problem properties. "We are working closely with the City to tackle these challenges head-on and in a timely manner," he stated. "The steps taken by the City, along with our ongoing efforts to explore potential options for Railway Exchange and Millennium, demonstrate our commitment to taking action before the 120-day deadline."

With this united effort from city leaders and various organizations, it is clear that the Railway Exchange Building will no longer be a source of concern for the community. The future redevelopment of this property holds great potential for revitalizing Downtown St. Louis and creating a safer environment for all residents.

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