Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Announces Final Round of Public Engagement for Former Workhouse Site

Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced the final phase of public engagement to re-envision the use of the site of the Medium Security Institution, formerly known as the Workhouse. The digital survey encourages residents to give their feedback on popular concepts based on more than 700 responses in the first round of engagement.

“Any use of a reimagined workhouse site should be forward-thinking and visionary, but practical to address standing needs in our city,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I look forward to hearing from the community and working with fellow City leaders to make decisions that move this site away from its past as a place of incarceration and into its future.”

The project’s steering committee reviewed the suggestions from the first round of public engagement and studied the potential for their success at the site location. The options presented are based on the following values: improving community stability; creating an economic engine for St. Louis; nurturing joy and healing; facilitating memory and justice; and strengthening municipal services and infrastructure. These ideas draw inspiration from similar projects across the country.

Public engagement for this project focuses on gathering ideas and priorities about the future of the site from all interested St. Louisans, including formerly incarcerated people, former staff, and nearby residents. This strategic planning process will result in consensus building and documentation of the community’s vision for future use of the site. Located at 7600 Hall Street in the North Riverfront neighborhood, the MSI site is 23 acres of city-owned land and buildings, including the former Workhouse and City Justice Center (CJC) Annex. The facility has remained empty of detainees since June 2022.

Community members are encouraged to visit the project’s website at aftertheworkhouse.com to review the ideas and complete the final survey, or leave a voicemail or send a text message with their thoughts at (314) 266-8620‬.