Soulard has been home to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police substation for decades, but the old location closed at the beginning of this year. The new substation is in a residential building on Menard Street, sandwiched between Lami and Barton Street -- just a block away from the old location.
Luke Reynolds, Chairperson of the Soulard Special Business District and owner of Molly's In Soulard, said the previous space was donated by a chiropractor. When the budling was sold at the beginning of the year, the Business District had to find a new location.
Reynolds says Councilmember Terry Hoffman offered up a residential unit he was renting out as Airbnb, which is where the substation is now located. And that the Business District now pays the substation's rent.
"I think there was initially some concern that we were renting from a member of the Board," Reynolds said. "But we went through the process of making sure that was vetted legally and that Terry recused himself on voting and the decision of it. And we're paying fair market rent."
While the space will only be used by officers for administrative work and won't be staffed full time, Reynolds said the substation is a still win for Soulard.
"Because Soulard statistically and historically has a relatively low rate of crime compared to other neighborhoods, in the 3rd district especially, we don't have a lot of police presence naturally," he said. "So having the substation is a real benefit for Soulard because it attracts police into the neighborhood."
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The St. Louis Metropolitan Police substation closed for relocation earlier this year.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police substation closed for relocation earlier this year.
