ST. LOUIS — Demolition of the former Medium Security Institution, colloquially known as the Workhouse, will begin by the end of the year.
Demolition of most buildings at the now-vacant jail will begin by Dec. 16, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced Wednesday as part of a call for community members to submit ideas for a memorial to commemorate the site.
Jones, who was sworn in as mayor in April 2021, campaigned on a promise to close the Workhouse, accusing it of housing inmates in inhumane conditions. The jail was closed a few months after Jones took office, and its inmate population was consolidated to the St. Louis City Justice Center.
“The unacceptable and inhumane conditions that many detainees at the Workhouse suffered cannot be forgotten,” Jones said in the release. “One of the first things I did as Mayor was close this jail. Our community deserves better than to see the facility continue to stand as it did, so I am pleased that we can now move forward with the demolition.”
The "vast majority" of structures will be demolished, including guard towers and former women's housing facilities, the city said. The fence will remain in order to secure the ground.
Last year, the city put out a community survey asking how the site should be repurposed. The city said plans for phase two will be announced at the beginning of next year, and ideas in development include an animal shelter, further environmental evaluation, and relocation of aspects of the city's tow lot.
Demolition and the creation of a memorial are part of phase one of the project to re-envision the Workhouse, Jones said.
“As we take these steps forward, we must include the community where we can. That is why I’m asking for anyone who feels moved to do so to submit concepts, drawings, designs, poetry, or written descriptions for a memorial for those who suffered at the Workhouse,” Jones said.
Residents can learn more about the memorial project or submit their idea via the city's website. Submissions are due by Nov. 1.
Submissions will be evaluated in collaboration with the Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri History Museum, the Griot Museum of Black History and other community partners.
