City Purchases Railway Exchange Garage, Parking Lot
Date Posted: March 31, 2025
Posted In: News,
From St. Louis Public Radio: St. Louis’ Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority has formally purchased the vacant property on the city block directly south of the Railway Exchange Building.
The LCRA paid about $2.6 million Friday for the 10 parcels that make up the vacant parking garage and surface lot that comprise the city block.
The city’s land purchase is the first from the eminent domain case filed last year to seek control of the long-vacant office building and accompanying parking structure.
“I can’t wait to see this parking garage go down. This particular facility has held us back for many years,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. “Acquiring and demolishing this eyesore will help us make the Railway Exchange Building as attractive as possible to a responsible developer who cares about our city.”
St. Louis Development Corporation President and CEO Neal Richardson said the city plans to demolish the derelict parking structure that is covered in graffiti from top to bottom. The demolition plans do not include the building along North 6th Street that housed a Charlie Gitto’s restaurant or the historic Gill building along North 7th Street attached to the garage, Richardson said.
“As a visitor coming to downtown St. Louis, imagine if this is the first impression you see of downtown [St. Louis]. How does that make you feel?” he said. “The next step for us is to address bringing the building down while also continuing to ensure that we are getting the best price possible for our taxpayers.”