Dozens of city officials and a handful of residents came out to hear about the federal government’s latest study in selecting a site for the new $1.6 billion National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) West facility.
The Environmental Impact Statement looked at how the new construction would impact the environment in all four possible locations. As part of the process, the government wants to hear from the public. The public comment portion is open until Nov. 23.
The decision on the site location will be made by March, and finalized at the end of April.
The North City location, which is a 99-acre site adjacent to the old Pruitt-Igoe housing project, is the only one that would allow the City of St. Louis – the region’s economic engine – to retain $2.19 million in earnings tax annually by keeping NGA’s 3,100 jobs in the city.
The other three locations vying for the federal agency’s attention – including the old Chrysler plant in Fenton, the Met Life facility in South St. Louis County and an area adjacent to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
The North City site is the only urban location, and it’s also the only one that is currently partially occupied.
Clarence and Annett Dugger attended the meeting and live within in the proposed site location. They said they moved into their North City neighborhood in the 1980s when it was vibrant and highly populated. Now only 30 percent of the buildings are occupied, Annett said.
Clarence said he signed an agreement with St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) to move because he said something needs to happen in that neighborhood.
“I’m willing to move because this neighborhood needs redevelopment,” he said. “There’s too much empty land.”
Annett said her original plan was to wait until Developer Paul McKee’s Northside redevelopment plan came to fruition. But so far, it hasn’t.
“At first it was a heart blow because we’ve been down there so long,” she said. “But I look forward to development one way or another. It’s like living in a ghost town.”
Annett said SLDC explained the process well, and she didn’t feel pressured to sign.
The Duggers are among the majority category of the 110 owners who are willing to move. Last week, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen gave final approval for the use of eminent domain on 339 properties owned by McKee and another 58 properties – eight of which are occupied by owners.
However, three sisters who attended the meeting said they do not want to leave their homes in the proposed area. They said about 12 people in their family, living in four separate homes, will be displaced.
“No amount of money will compare to the bond you have with family,” said Rose Green.
Joyce Cooks said she hasn’t received anything from the St. Louis Development Corporation about a buy out and she “better not.” She is living in her mother’s home, and their family still has Sunday dinners at her sister Shirley Booker’s home. They do not want to leave their childhood neighborhood.
Brittany Leeks, who is looking to start her own demolition business, came to see about the possibilities of getting demolition contracts. She attended the meeting with her father Charles Westbrook, who is retired from owning his own demolition business and is looking to pass it on to Leeks, once she becomes certified.
“She can do anything a man can do. She can identify any kind of metal,” he said proudly.
David Berczek, regional NGA spokesman, said the minority participation goals for construction are set regionally.
“They would be more in line with what we have here rather than what comes out of Washington, which is the minimum,” he said.
The Army Corps would be the construction manager on the project, he said.
As part of the presentation, the Army Corp representative Laurie Farmer said that the construction project will bring 1,350 new jobs.
The city ordinance on minority workforce participation outlines that 25 percent of labor hours go to minorities; 5 percent to women; 20 percent to city residents; and 15 percent to apprentices enrolled in an approved training program.
Westbrook’s main concern was that local residents get jobs out of this deal.
“What opportunities do they have,” he said. “They don’t just want to sit around. They need jobs.”
Comments will be collected on the statement from October 9 – November 23. The public also can comment online, via email at NextNGAWest@usace.army.mil or by mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District, Attn: Amy Blair, Room 529, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.
The entire Environmental Impact Statement can be found here: http://nextngawest.com/site/index.php/deis.
