The former ABC Auto Sales and Investment Co. building stands as an example of abandonment. Beneath the Art Deco designs and white terra cotta, the structure is deteriorating. It’s been broken into, boarded up and broken into again.
Built in 1927, 3509 Page Blvd. now sits like a “bad introduction” for visitors to the Covenant Blu Grand Center neighborhood, said Audrey Ellerman, president of the neighborhood association.
“You wouldn't want that in your neighborhood,” she added. “You can't even walk past the building, you have to walk in the street.”
Although cited for numerous city violations, the building’s owner, Paul McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration, took no action. Filed in 2022 by the Covenant Blu Grand Center neighborhood, the lawsuit sought to force McKee to secure the building.
McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration purchased the building in 2009, as part of a spree that would eventually include hundreds of parcels in north St. Louis. But McKee’s grand plans have stalled amid clashes with the city and accusations that he’s allowed properties to fall into disrepair.
On Dec. 28, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Stelzer ruled against McKee, ordering the mega-developer to secure the crumbling building at 3509 Page.
Peter Hoffman, an attorney with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri who represented the neighborhood in its lawsuit against McKee, told St. Louis on the Air that he hopes other neighborhoods do the same with other problem landlords.
“3509 Page is, in some ways, a really important symbol of deterioration and decline,” he said, while emphasizing that such buildings still hold value in their neighborhoods — if taken care of properly.
“These buildings can really serve to help spur revitalization. They can serve community needs,” he said. “But they can't if they're just being held for land speculation.”
For more of Peter Hoffman’s insights into the recent ruling against Paul McKee, as well as a discussion of how the St. Louis Place neighborhood came to an agreement with the City of St. Louis on eminent domain, listen to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Google Podcast or by clicking the play button below.
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr. Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.
