Board of Aldermen

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen reconsidered a bill that extends a blighting determination from the 2000s on the Cortex district in the Central West End.

Mayor Cara Spencer and other officials announced a “historic” investment of $14 million to bolster winter sheltering, with the expectation that people displaced by the May 16 tornado will increase the need.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen said no to a bill to extend a blight determination on the Cortex Innovation District, marking an end to nearly two decades in the area.

In a Tuesday order, Circuit Judge Joan L. Moriarty cited a lack of staff at the City Justice Center — and subsequent reductions in detainee services — as reasons to require Sheriff Alfred Montgomery's office to immediately provide transportation to external medical providers.

The bill makes it easier to construct carriage houses in St. Louis neighborhoods as part of a push to ease housing restrictions in the city.

Mayor Cara Spencer said she is shocked that Montgomery would float taking over the city’s jail while he doesn’t fulfill the debated duties of his office.

Following an hourslong hearing, Sheriff Alfred Montgomery said his office should take over the City Justice Center in order to provide detainees with improved medical care.

Board of Aldermen President Megan Green says a data center moratorium is not off the table as residents complain of transparency, energy and environmental issues. A hearing on a data center proposal at the now-shuttered Armory building was delayed this week.

Alderman Michael Browning says a data center at Green Street’s vacant Armory building would create a void in Midtown that would offset positive momentum in the area. He called the plan to build a $600 million data center "shortsighted."

The bill now goes to Mayor Cara Spencer's desk for final approval. It comes after Sheriff Alfred Montgomery sparred with the board's budget committee last June.