The EYE continues to be amazed at the lack of credit that has been given to City of St. Louis Treasurer Larry C. Williams for his contribution to the current renaissance of commercial and residential development in St. Louis, especially downtown and the Central West End.
Back in 1990 Williams used his political clout to lobby the Missouri Legislature to pass legislation that gave the parking division of the treasurer’s office the authority to issue bonds to fund the improvement and construction of parking facilities in the city of St. Louis. While the initial reaction to the granting of this authority to the treasurer was received negatively by other city officials and the press, who claimed the treasurer was just trying to create more patronage, no one can dispute the impact the use of this authority has had on renewing development in the city.
Early dividends include raising $25M to build the Keil Center Parking Center, which was the lynchpin of the construction of the Keil Center Arena, and the funding and construction of the Marquette Garage and acquisition of the Marquette Building. The Marquette Garage was subsequently acquired by the Federal Reserve Bank and became a key factor in the bank’s decision to keep its office in Downtown St. Louis and spend millions of dollars refurbishing it.
Moreover, the treasurer’s joint venture with the St. Louis Public Library to finance and build the Argyle Building at Euclid and Lindell, which houses the new Schlafly Branch Library and provides 460 parking spaces in the Central West End, was a major factor in the redevelopment of the historic Chase Hotel. Williams also partnered with U. City Loop developer Joe Edwards to acquire the current site of the Pageant Theater, which served as a catalyst for the very successful eastern expansion of the Loop.
More good works in the genre of garage: Under Williams’s direction, the Williams Paper Company was purchased to provide surface parking adjacent to the Kiel garage. This acquisition supports the proposed redevelopment by Don Breckenridge of the Kiel Opera House. And, in a joint venture with the Bank of St. Louis, Williams acquired the Cupples garage at 10th and Spruce that provided parking for the rejuvenation of Cupples Station.
Williams also has showed a humanistic streak in addition to his paving the way to get things done with bricks and concrete. During his tenure as treasurer, Williams has instituted a Prior Offenders Second Chance program for persons applying for a job in the treasurer’s office who indicate on their job application that they have a prior felony conviction. After a background check has been conducted and the job applicant has shown no evidence of a continuing pattern of criminal activity, the applicant can become eligible for employment in the Parking Services Division of the treasurer’s office.
Williams is concerned that recent press inquiries about ex-felons working in the treasurer’s office will obscure the contribution his employees have made to the city’s remarkable renaissance. Far from scandalizing Williams’ commendable effort, the EYE believes the Prior Offenders Second Chance program at the treasurer’s office should become a model for the hiring of non-violent ex-offenders by employers in both the public and private sectors. We should hate crime, not criminals, and do all we can to assist anyone struggling to put criminal ways behind him and become a productive citizen of St. Louis.