By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Lambert Airport officials will recommend that the city of St. Louis authorize it to sell a plot of land back to the original seller.
Nearly 20 years ago, Kinloch city residents sold their homes to the airport for noise mitigation. But Lambert didn't need it for that purpose.
Now it plans to sell the nearly 18 acres back. The city hopes to build more homes on the plot.
Kinloch Mayor Keith Conway says it's a chance for some long overdue revitalization.
"A lot of people have been unfair to this community, and I think we're trying to change that," Conway said. "And it is good that we've got an opportunity to rebuild not only the city but its name as well and put it like it's supposed to be."
But commissioner John Krekeler says if Lambert grows as hoped, so will the noise.
"We're potentially setting ourselves up for having to buy them out again," Krekeler said. "We have some responsibility as good neighbors to make sure that the people are taken care of, and I don't believe this does that."
Officials say it may be several weeks before the St. Louis Board of Aldermen considers authorizing the $354,000 deal.