Mayor Jones Oversees Beginning of Workhouse Demolition

Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones was on site as demolition began on the Medium Security Institution, commonly known as the Workhouse.

“The Workhouse is not and was not fit for human beings. Now, we make sure that no human being will be detained in this facility ever again,” said Mayor Jones. “Demolishing the Workhouse does not heal the wounds it has left on all the individual survivors, their friends and families, and the St. Louis community. By beginning this demolition today, we are saying that we will never again accept the conditions that were apparent here.”

Conditions in the Workhouse had deteriorated over many years, and in 2022, under Mayor Jones’ direction, the City of St. Louis stopped using the facility as a jail. The Jones administration took on the task of working with the community to re-envision the Workhouse and the property, ultimately leading to the Re-Envisioning the Workhouse report. Currently, there is a RFP to create a memorial on the site that will be accepting submissions until May 13. Other ideas for uses of the property are being evaluated.

Buildings that formerly housed female detainees were the first to see demolition begin. Work continues to abate the property before the rest of the demolition can be completed.

Environmental Operations, Inc. (EOI) are abating lead, asbestos, and other environmentally hazardous materials in the remaining buildings. From there, they will oversee the demolition as well, along with subcontractors TA Contracting, RJP, Gooden Plumbing, Volition Hauling, and M. Jones Enterprises. The total contract amount is $2,240,000.00.

The funds for demolition are coming from city budget building repair funding, not ARPA. EOI were selected by BPS Professional Engineers based on the scope of work and their qualifications, and approved by BPS President Rich Bradley and the Comptroller.