I have been following with interest and at times horror, the criticism of Paul McKee who is a major developer attempting to develop the north side of St. Louis. I consider it a remarkable opportunity for St. Louis that he is interested in doing it. The project is transformational, creating housing, jobs, and revitalizing neighborhoods. The locals don't trust him because he has not greased the right palms and he is not pure enough.
The area in question is horribly rundown and has been so for years. Yet many in St. Louis prefer a piecemeal approach that does not address the problem. I know Paul McKee and consider him to be generous, intelligent, and visionary. He has the business and organizational skills to pull this project off. Yet people keep criticizing him as if he was the AtntiChrist. It is impossible for me to imagine he could make the situation on the northside worse.
Mr. McKee may deserve some criticisim for the condition of the properties he has purchased. Yet, I challenge anyone to keep a large number of scattered site properties in north St. Louis vandal free. I wish him every success.
