ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) Long before the homeless encampment moved to the riverfront, revitalization of Laclede's Landing was in the works.
As of Wednesday, the riverfront district has freshly paved streets, upgraded security, and more green space. An old parking garage was torn down opening up the view to the river and historic Eads Bridge. Many of the old buildings have been renovated with luxury lofts, most of which are full.
Jan Sandweiss, President of the Laclede's Landing Neighborhood Association, tells KMOX's Stuart McMillian the process has been difficult. She says the big issues are a lack of funding, lots of parking being taken away by upgrades at the Arch grounds, and the homeless encamped at the old Admiral dock.
Sandweiss motioned to the dock and said, "It's on the Port De Shar which is part of are revitalization of the riverfront and we are planning to make into a marina. We haven't been able to really get that going because of the encampment."
By order of the city, the homeless encampment will be evicted by Friday, March 10th.
"The homeless that are still here are generally drug addicted or mentally ill," Sandweiss said. "The ones who are not have been given help and they've gone on to live in shelters. These do not want to leave. The city has finally found places to give them the help that they need because we cannot give them the help that we need here."
When asked about crime on the landing Sandweiss said, "We have not had any other crime on the Landing other than from the encampment."
How do the homeless feel about being evicted? One man told KMOX's Kevin Killeen he was upset about it saying, "St. Louis City, the mayor, and the departments don't really care about us." Another man said they're putting him in a shelter with heat and running water, and he's glad he won't have to deal "with the rats and the roaches on the riverfront."
Road construction, at 1st and Lucas, is planned to be completed in time for the Battlehawks tailgate party on Sunday.KMOX | Stuart McMillian (3/7/23)
Sunday, the XFL Battlehawks play their first home game of the season at the Dome. Laclede's Landing will have a tailgate party from 12 PM to 3 PM on 1st Street next to the newly opened Katherine Ward Burg Garden by Great Rivers Greenway. They plan to have a band, yard games, and food trucks. Parking is $35.
