~ St. Louis, MO- Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones was present as the demolition of the Medium Security Institution, also known as the Workhouse, began. The mayor expressed her strong stance on the facility, stating that it was never suitable for human beings and that it will no longer be used to detain individuals.

"The Workhouse is not and was not fit for human beings. Now, we make sure that no human being will be detained in this facility ever again," said Mayor Jones. She also acknowledged that while demolishing the Workhouse will not erase the harm it has caused to survivors and their loved ones, it is a step towards ensuring that such conditions are never tolerated again.

The decision to demolish the Workhouse came after years of deteriorating conditions within the facility. Under Mayor Jones' leadership in 2022, the City of St. Louis ceased using the Workhouse as a jail. The Jones administration then worked with the community to re-imagine the property, resulting in the Re-Envisioning the Workhouse report. Currently, there is a request for proposals (RFP) open until May 13 for submissions to create a memorial on the site.

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The first buildings to undergo demolition were those previously used to house female detainees. The remaining structures are currently being abated by Environmental Operations Inc. (EOI) for lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials before demolition can continue.

EOI has been selected by BPS Professional Engineers based on their qualifications and scope of work and approved by BPS President Rich Bradley and Comptroller's Office. They will also oversee subcontractors TA Contracting, RJP, Gooden Plumbing, Volition Hauling, and M. Jones Enterprises in completing this project with a total contract amount of $2,240,000.

It is important to note that funding for this demolition comes from city budget building repair funds rather than ARPA. This decision was made to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community. With the Workhouse now being demolished, the city can move forward in finding a new purpose for this property that will benefit the community.

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