JEFFERSON CITY — A week after voting to sell two St. Louis office buildings, Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday he has not spoken with city officials about the effects of pulling hundreds of workers out of the beleaguered downtown.
In comments to reporters, the Republican governor said the decision to jettison the historic Wainwright Office Building and the Mill Creek Office Building was a “business decision” and was not related to concerns about crime in city’s center core.
“I haven’t talked to anybody there,” Parson said, sidestepping talk that ongoing gun violence triggered the state’s looming exodus.
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“It didn’t have anything to do other than a business decision,” said Parson, who leaves office in January.
In a move that came as a surprise to city officials and downtown boosters, members of the Missouri Board of Public Buildings, which includes Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, voted unanimously to pursue the sale of the buildings housing 600 workers in a variety of state agencies.
Some employees will be moved to the Keathley State Office Building in the 3100 block of Chouteau Avenue, while the bulk of the workers will be moved to a new building in Chesterfield.
Proceeds from the sale of the buildings will be used to pay for the Chesterfield facility, which hasn’t been identified.
“It was just an opportunity. There’s another facility there in Chesterfield… a much more modern facility,” Parson said. “Needless to say, we’re finding ways to try and save money for the State of Missouri.”
Administration officials say they wanted out of the Wainwright building at Seventh and Chestnut because it would cost $23 million to maintain and repair. The state bought the architecturally significant 10-story structure 50 years ago during former Gov. Christopher “Kit” Bond’s administration.
The building is listed on a government auction website for $5 million, with a closing date of Aug. 29.
Prospective bidders must first submit a letter of intent explaining the anticipated use of the building.
“The letter of intent may be denied if it includes an anticipated use or proposed terms of sale that are unacceptable to the state,” the auction notice says.
The Mill Creek building, which sits on 4½ acres near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Market Street, was built in 1975. A buyer has expressed interest in purchasing the facility, administration officials said last week.
The governor pointed to other real estate maneuvers designed to save money, pointing to the $151 million laboratory being built in the capital city that will be shared by multiple state agencies.
“That building, like any other state building, we’re trying to merge things. We’re trying to figure out what’s the best thing for the future of state employees,” he said.
Downtown boosters, however, were stunned by the decision to pull workers out of the city.
“Downtown St. Louis is the economic engine of the St. Louis metro, which accounts for over 40% of the economic activity in the state of Missouri. The business community will continue our work with the City of St. Louis and other partners to revitalize Downtown St. Louis and make it safe, vibrant, and beautiful,” Greater St. Louis Inc. said in a statement.
A spokesman for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said the mayor had not received any prior communication from the governor or the board.
The process of selling and moving could take a year to complete, the governor’s administration said last week.
Parson’s comments came after a violent Fourth of July weekend in downtown.
Police Chief Robert Tracy and Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore met with downtown residents Monday in an attempt to convince them that progress is being made on lowering the city’s crime rates.
Eight people were shot in the downtown area following the Celebrate St. Louis fireworks show. Police made 42 arrests downtown and in Downtown West between July 3 and July 7, 15 of which involved firearms. Of those arrests, 19 were juveniles cited for weapon violations, fireworks, assaults and destruction of property.
Parson, who signed into law Tuesday a long-sought ban on the kind of celebratory gunfire that often accompanies holidays, said the incidents were not just people firing off random rounds for fun.
“There’s a huge difference between celebratory gunfire and what’s happened over the weekend,” the governor said. “I think these are people just out there committing crimes, shooting one another.”