Initially, spokesperson for the St. Louis Public Schools told KMOX they were awaiting approval of a permit from the building division to start the demolition of the Euclid school.
However, despite approving the demolition of the historic school , at their June 9th Board of Education meeting, St. Louis Public Schools never submitted for the permit until September 14th, over 3 months later.
KMOX reached back out to SLPS seeking an interview and further explanation of the gap between the Board's approval and the application for the demolition permit. We was told the person who could speak to why it took so long was out of town, but we instead received a timeline.
The first action taken by SLPS after approving the demolition did not come until August 19th, when they gave a "notice to proceed."
A spokesperson for SLPS later explained to KMOX the notice to proceed was not issued until over two months after the Board approved the demolition because they needed to vet the demolition company, CERES, to ensure they could do the job.
Former SLPS Board Member Matt Davis says that is outside the norm.
"I don't understand why there would be additional time needed after the award of the bid has already been done."
The documentation the Board voted on showed CERES was chosen as the demolition team ahead of the June 9th meeting. Davis says the vetting comes during the RFP process, not after a vendor has been chosen.
"There are policies and procedures in place for the competitive bidding process." says Davis. "Part of that process is to vet venders that they can actually perform what you're looking for."
A review of the SLPS policies around procurement make zero mention of vetting after the RFP process, and no mention of any notice to proceed as apart of their steps.
The Board of Election moved forward with a $1.3 million demolition despite interest from a developer in purchasing the building. Developer Benjamin Anderson was interested in turning the historic school into market rate housing in its Fountain Park neighborhood. He says there was plenty of time to vet the demolition company chosen for the Euclid School though the months long RFP process.
"This was a contractor that was selected from off of a RFP process that was started as far back as February of this year."
St. Louis Public School says after issuing the notice to proceed on the 19th, the contract for demolition was finally issued to CERES two days later. With more paperwork submitted by both sides, SLPS finally applied for a building permit on September 11th.
With the building beginning to demolish itself, and concerns of mold, lead and asbestos going into the environment as bricks spill into the street, Anderson says he warned SLPS about this ticking time bomb.
"Over two months ago I sent a note to the [SLPS] director of operations saying something should be done about [the building's structural damage]."
which has been closed for nearly 20 years that opened in 1893
Anderson says the eventual collapse was clearly visible, especially in the context of the damage sustained from the May 2025 tornado.
"That portion in the front of the building that had pitched back was pushing up against the piers in the front of the building. It was clear if action wasn't taken, what has happened was going to to happen."
Paperwork for the project approved by the Board of Education says it was due to begin on June 15th if approved, and be completed within 120-150 days.
Approval of a demolition permit typically takes 30-45 days according to a spokesperson for the Building Division. Under normal circumstances, this would mean at best demolition would only begin 124 days after the Board of Education approved the project. However, the Building Division has fast tracked the permit, allowing demolition to begin once utilities to the building is cut off
Still, the slow timeline frustrates Anderson, who says this is a missed opportunity for him to turn the historic building into market rate housing.
"The thing that doesn't make sense... we're encouraged to have a diversity of housing stock... we're talking about adding affordable rent to an already market rate neighborhood."
A former SLPS Board member says their reason makes no sense
A former SLPS Board member says their reason makes no sense
