It's been over a year since a fence has been erected around City Hall and neighboring Poekler park after the grass became home to a tented homeless community. In a statement to KMOX, a spokesperson for the city said there is still no timeline to remove the fencing around the park.
"When I walk out, the grass looks fine." says Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. "I think it's time to bring [the fences] down."
Aldermanic President Megan Green says it doesn't paint a good picture of St. Louis.
"[The park] is not a muddy mess anymore. I think it's about time that we start looking at taking those fences down"
Alderwoman Cara Spencer who represents downtown and is running for Mayor took her response even further.
"I don't think those fences should have gone up to begin with"
Alderman Aldridge says he understands why the fences went up in the first place. On October 3rd of 2023, the city cleared a homeless encampment which had settled on the grass outside City Hall and across the street at Poekler Park.
"There were tents, there were things that made the grass not look nice, patches in the grass."
Alderwoman Spencer says the fencing gives off a bad perception.
"It's an awful message, I mean it really just says this isn't a welcome place. This is the people's place, it's the people's city hall, it belongs to taxpayers."
Aldermanic President Megan Green says the fencing gives off a bad perception agrees.
"I have had a couple of visitors from out of town who have asked, 'what is [the fence] for?'" Green adds, "I think it does kind of gives the perception that City Hall is closed off."
In April the city told KMOX there were issues with the park that needed to be aerated further in the fall.
"I come to city hall pretty often. I haven't see any restoration happening," said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge
KMOX has asked if the city could elaborate on their previous statement to explain what work is currently or still needs to be done and is awaiting response.