Showing posts with label St Louis City Building Conversion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St Louis City Building Conversion. Show all posts

4/20/22

Gentrification on our Block

When I first landed on this block in 1995, 95% of my neighbors were black. All of these buildings were Section 8. During the last 1-5 years they've all been sold and rehabbed. 95% of my neighbors are now white. Some pay 1,400.00 in rent.
Many have Black Lives Matter signs in their yards or windows. Black lives can't afford to reside here anymore. Only three homes on my block are owned by black families.
The house with the Pride flag sold for 525K last year. The woman hwo bought it told me, I just raised your property value!
Ah, I replied, property value, the mantra of the yuppie!
There isn't any Section 8 now on my block. Two remodeled four families rent for 1,400 to 1,600.

A new white neighbor renting an apartment across the street told me she wanted to move to TGS because "There's people like me here" as she placed her Black Lives Matter sign on the lawn.

8/1/21

Don't Cry for Me, Juniata! Gentrification in Tower Grove South, St Louis

Five years ago, the 2 four unit apartment buildings to the east of us were redeveloped into 'townhouses'. A total of eight units which were 2 Section 8 buildings, became 4 condos. Seen below, the buildings are twins. The front bottom windows don't open.
My displaced neighbors were scattered.
Three years ago the two unit (two family) Section 8 building, also to the east of us, was rehabbed and went on the market for 415K. It sold in ten days for 410K.
It went back on the market this spring. The owner was asking 475K and it sold the same day for 525K. (The new owner has said to me, Look, I've raised your property value! Ah, I had replied, the mantra of the yuppie!)
We've lost many friends and neighbors and our block has become increasingly bright white. Many of them display their Black Lives Matter signs.
This summer, 3 other four unit apartment buildings which were also Section 8 housing, sold and are currently under rehab.
Our block used to have 80% black residents. Most were renters with three homes being black owned.
There's goes the neighborhood. Specifically 4200 Juniata.