With regards to the Laclede Gas TIF

When St. Louis was being erected in the early 1900s, my family had already been living in rural West Virginia for more than 100 years. I, too, come from a region of celebrated history. Sure, our land may not have been the canvas of renowned architects, but we were still able to live off it. For generations, we were able count on the same fields to feed our livestock, and the same wells to quench our thirsts. The earth was our palette.

Hydraulic fracking has replaced nature’s subtle melodies with the growling of overweight chemical tankers that rumble down broken country roads. Rural families, like mine, still depend on these aquifers to deliver clean water to their homes; but because of drilling-induced contamination, many people have lost their earthly ability to sustain life on their familial farms. My Luzader ancestors sleep next to bubbling mud thanks to the suppliers of natural gas.

With all due respect to local history, what are we really getting from the Laclede TIF? Should this city, which takes its name from a saint, provide incentives to corporations that are destroying sustainable and otherwise viable communities? This TIF fuels the idea that profit is more precious than humanity and supersedes the inalienable pursuance of life.

David Scott  •  St. Louis

In response to:

The former General American building at 706 Market Street could be the next in a long line of historic and architecturally significant downtown buildings to come back to life. This iconic building, designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson, has been vacant for 10 years.
Without question, some of the very things that make this building unique and stunning also present operational challenges for potential inhabitants. Yet, to call this building a mistake ("Not so fast," Sept. 13) ignores its successful past and the role of historic buildings in downtown’s remarkable revival.

This building was General American headquarters for 20 years. The company did not move out because the building was inefficient or impractical. Rather, it vacated after an acquisition by MetLife. Redevelopment and use of the building has been impacted by market and economic challenges as much as operational issues related to design.
Like most of the 100-plus historic downtown buildings that have been redeveloped in the past 12 years, this project will require supportive funding through both TIF and historic tax credits. If operational efficiency and design practicality had been criteria for any of our redeveloped historic buildings, downtown would still be a graveyard of beautiful empty buildings.
Laclede Gas, one of downtown’s largest and growing employers, is considering calling 706 Market Street its new home. The Koman Group, which most recently redeveloped the historic, fully leased Cupples 9 building, is again investing in downtown with its bid to purchase this storied building.
What’s in it for the public? Securing a long-term home for a major employer that is choosing to reinvest in our urban core. Activating an architectural landmark whose vacancy once symbolized a city in transition but will now accurately reflect the vibrant and growing downtown St. Louis that we are today.

Mike Sondag  •  St. Louis
Interim president, The Partnership for Downtown St. Louis