Plan to demolish abandoned Workhouse jail in St. Louis now delayed
A plan to demolish the former Medium Security Institution in St. Louis, an abandoned jail more commonly known as The Workhouse, has been delayed due to environmental concerns.
ST. LOUIS - A plan to demolish the former Medium Security Institution in St. Louis, an abandoned jail more commonly known as The Workhouse, has been delayed due to environmental concerns.
In September, the City of St. Louis announced plans to begin demolition of the Workhouse on Dec. 16.
On Friday, the St. Louis Mayor's Office informed FOX 2 that demolition will not begin next week as scheduled "due to ongoing environmental mitigation efforts related to the structure."
The Mayor's Office says the city cannot move forward with demolition until a full environmental abatement of the site is complete. There are believed to be ongoing risks with lead and asbestos exposure, according to a report from St. Louis Public Radio.
A contractor has been selected to evaluate the site, and the city anticipates that work will begin in 2025. The demolition will be rescheduled after the contractor's work is complete.
Safety concerns have escalated since the Workhouse ceased operations and closed in 2022. Last year, authorities responded several break-ins at the facility, further exposing its vulnerability.
More recently, the site has been used as an overflow lot for junk cars from the city’s tow yard, where piles of cars, including some reportedly set on fire, now sit. Additionally, several holes have been cut into the surrounding fencing and remain unrepaired.
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