In St. Louis, there is a revitalization project underway to replace a hazardous site in The Hill area. The property, located at the corner of Wilson and January Avenues, was formerly the Hubert Wheeler State School. It was shut down in 1994 due to air quality concerns and has since been classified as an active hazardous substance clean-up site by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. However, regulators have determined that with proper clean-up, it can be made safe for residential living once again.
Local resident Donna Valli expressed her excitement about the development, calling it “the cornerstone of The Hill” and emphasizing the positive impact it will have on the community. St. Louis Alderman Joe Vollmer, who has lived in the area his whole life, shared some history of the site, mentioning its past as clay mines and dumps contaminated with dioxin. He also highlighted the efforts made to make the site usable, including the installation of an incinerator and subsequent soil treatment.
McBride Homes, the developer behind the project, plans to build 58 townhomes on the site under the supervision of environmental regulators. The company has enrolled in a voluntary cleanup program to address landfill-related contaminants and asbestos inside the building. Vollmer praised McBride Homes for their involvement in the neighborhood and expressed confidence in the safety measures being taken for the project.
The site, which has been a target for vandals in the past, is now being closely monitored by security guards to prevent any further damage. Valli, along with other residents, is eager to see the area beautified and believes that the project will enhance the overall appeal of The Hill neighborhood. Despite the site’s history as a landfill and potential concerns about safety, Valli and others remain optimistic about the project’s success.
The sale of the property is expected to close by the end of the year, marking a significant step forward in the revitalization of the area. With the support of the community and the efforts of developers and regulators, the hazardous site in The Hill is on its way to being transformed into a safe and vibrant residential space once again.
