Blairmont Letter

Happy New Years! Well lets begin it on a serious note!

Everyone needs to be concerned about real estate speculation and absentee landlords especially on this scale. Please contact your elected officials as this is of great concern! The reason for concern is explained in the letter. Feel free to use it if you need some ideas.

21 December 2006

Mayor Slay
City Hall, Room 200
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

Dear Mayor Slay:

I am writing you as I am greatly concerned about the land speculation occurring in North St. Louis by the group known as Blairmont. Since 2002, about 16 LLC's have managed to acquire around 300 parcels of land roughly located North of Delmar, East of Grand, West of 70, and south of Palm Avenue.

Many historical buildings are among their holdings and include the Brecht Butcher Supply Company Buildings at 1201-17 Cass Avenue, which were constructed around 1890-1900 and are now scheduled to be demolished due to a tragic fire. The James Clemens House, at 1849 Cass Avenue in the St. Louis Place Neighborhood, is undergoing collapse due to lack of maintenance. The former Schnucks at 10th and Cass is owned by Allston Alliance LLC. This LLC was registered by John Steffen whereas Paul McKee, Jr. reported a 30% controlling interest in this LLC. The Forestry Division has been spotted trimming the tall grass and weeds along the east wall of the vacant site. Perhaps the owners, having borrowed 2.8 million in December of 2005 to acquire the site, should be forced to maintain their private property. Finally, the speculatory nature of Blairmont, and allied LLC's, cast doubt upon the widely reported and anticipated renovation of the 14th Street Mall by the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group and the Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance. One of the Blairmont LLC's owns the 2.5 story home at 1416 Montgomery, which is across the alley from the former mall. This property should be included in the project as its continued deterioration will stymie the renovation.

Moreover, the July 15 Quarterly Report of the Jordan W. Chambers 19th Ward Regular Democratic Organization reveals that the following political contributors share the same address of 1001 Boardwalk Springs Place in O'Fallon MO: N & G Ventures LC, Noble Development Company, VHS Partners LLC, McEagle Properties LLC, West Alton Holding Company LLC, Oakland Properties, Inc, Blairmont Associates Limited Company. 1001 Boardwalk Springs Place is the mailing address for Paric Corporation and McEagle Development, both founded by Paul McKee, Jr., and presently operated by his son, Joe. The address is located at the Winghaven development in O'Fallon, which is quite far from our City, yet they obviously have a significant interest in several North Side neighborhoods. Moreover, Larry Handlin, Senior Research Specialist for the Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, and author of Blog St. Louis, notes that Blairmont also donated money to Rodney Hubbard, Jamilah Nasheed, and finally Yaphett El-Amin.

All of this information can be viewed on the Internet at Michael Allen's Ecology of Absence: http://www.eco-absence.org/blairmont

The practices of Blairmont are irresponsible and damage property values, thus deter the efforts those dedicated rehabbers who work to revitalize this area of the North Side. These derelict properties provide haven for criminal activity; residents and the entire neighborhood are held hostage. The City of St. Louis may have limited capacity or political will to protect every piece of property, yet per Ordinance 64693 it does have an obligation to protect the property values and general welfare of its citizens. I encourage your Administration to investigate the intentions of Blairmont as some disturbing ties between it and elected officials exist. If action is not taken then this cabal of speculators may prevent further progress from occurring in this area of North St. Louis. The St. Louis Renaissance should not be asymmetrical. Many are working to improve the North Side, yet irresponsible speculation is a road block.


Have an excellent Christmas and enjoy the New Year. Do not hesitate to contact me at 314-752-4210.

cc: Citizens' Service Bureau
License Collector Mike McMillian
Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin
State Senator Maida Coleman
State Representative Rodney Hubbard
Congressman Lacy Clay, Jr.
Attorney General Jay Nixon

The above image is the west view of the Brecht Butcher Supply Building which shows damage to the west parapet wall of the original building yet is salvageable. Temporary coping could protect this wall from moisture until rebuilding occurs. Yet the building is owned by Blairmont who has taken no action towards rehab although they have overwhelming financial capacity.