Forest West Properties, a for-profit real estate company controlled by the Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation, owns many buildings in Forest Park Southeast. In April 2006, it applied for demolition permits for thirty of its buildings. A hopeful Preservation Board meeting in April 2006 sparked the intervention of Alderman Joe Roddy (D-17th), who made the rounds as apologist for mass demolition. At the May 2006 meeting of the Preservation Board, the Board voted 3-1 to approve 22 of the 32 demolition permits. The distribution of permits almost destroys the chance to include the survivors in an official historic district. Will those ten buildings be on the wrecking block again?

To see the results of a "successful" clearance project also in the city's 17th ward, read The Destruction of McRee Town.

Aldermen and the Preservation Board (May 25, 2006)
The intervention of Alderman Roddy ends in the Preservation Board approving 22 demolition permits.

Preservation Board Meeting Leads to Good Decisions (April 25, 2006)
Great news! Scroll down in the blog post to read about the demolition permits' denial.

Massive Demolition Proposed in Forest Park Southeast (April 20, 2006)
Our report on Forest West's plans for 30 of their buildings.

Taylor Avenue South of Manchester (December 13, 2005)
Read about one of the conditions that is hurting a lot of these buildings.

The Buildings

Chouteau Avenue: 4375-77, 4379-81, 4395-7

Donovan Avenue: 4365, 4367, 4369, 4371, 4375

Hunt Avenue: 4215, 4247, 4371

Norfolk Avenue: 4420-22, 4429

Swan Avenue: 4429, 4431, 4435 (Rear), 4437

Vista Avenue: 4411, 4415, 4417, 4418, 4419, 4448-50, 4452, 4454, 4456, 4460, 4462, 4473, 4484, 4486-90