St. Louisians fighting to keep homes
“The city of St. Louis is trying to find the space to keep the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and its 3,000 jobs within city limits, but some residents are willing to put up a fight if it means losing their homes.
Charles Etta, 79, moved into her house on North Market Street when she was 10-years-old back in 1947. She says the house has historic significance to her family because they were the first African Americans to move into the neighborhood.
“People could be neighborly, people could be friendly,” Etta said.
Her home was built in 1894. Charles Etta says she doesn’t want to lose her family’s home to eminent domain.
“I’m pained to even think about it, it is gut wrenching to think of them tearing down my home,” she said.
Etta’s home is one of 47 occupied residences located on the 100 acre site in North St. Louis that’s now being considered by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. A St. Louis Board of Aldermen committee just perfected the language in a bill that would designate this 100 acre site as blighted and allow for eminent domain.”
Coleman, Christiana. KSDK 9 February 2015.