Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for June 12, 2023

Dollars for the District

Fiscal Year ’24 begins July 1, and I am thrilled to report I was able to procure more than $47 million to dedicate to important infrastructure and economic development projects in our North St. Louis County community. I’ll highlight these appropriations in upcoming legislative columns, starting with the $4 million earmarked to revitalize Kinloch.

Kinloch was incorporated as Missouri’s first all-Black city in 1948 to enable neighboring Berkeley to maintain its segregated, all-white school district. Even though the town was marginalized from its inception by physical and financial segregation from its wealthier white communities, Kinloch remained a vibrant, self-sustained African American community throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. At its peak, Kinloch was referred to as “Little Harlem New York” and was home to 14,000 African Americans.

Like many other successful Black townships, Kinloch was nearly eradicated by “urban expansion.” Between 1960 and 2000, the population declined from 6,501 to 263. In the 1980s, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport acquired a majority of the town’s private homes to construct a second runway. The socioeconomic effects of this buyout were disastrous.

The lingering effects of segregation and racism have manifested as generational poverty in the area, as evidenced by Kinloch’s median household income of $28,600, which is substantially below the county’s $62,800 average. The once well-kempt neighborhoods are now overrun with overgrown trees and brush, dumped debris and dilapidated buildings. Black-owned businesses, a library, a funeral home, churches and schools of the past have been reduced to vacant piles of rubble and neglect, sometimes directly across the street from thriving residential and commercial properties.

Thankfully, Kinloch will soon face another transformation, from blight and disinvestment to hope and revitalization. I am extremely proud to have secured $4 million in the FY ’24 state budget to help restore the city, create a healthy community for residents and generate countless economic development opportunities. This redevelopment plan includes the reclamation of nearly a million square feet of buildable real estate, the removal of rubble and hazardous debris, and a major cleanup of the entire area.

The revitalization will have an incredible impact in this community and the entire region. Securing infrastructure and demolishing unsafe structures will improve safety and reduce crime. The redevelopment will produce jobs, increase tax revenues and alleviate illegal dumping, while preserving important African American historical sites. Most importantly, this project will improve the quality of life for area residents and increase commerce around the airport.

Next Sunday, I will be celebrate my first Fathers Day as a new dad. Being a positive male role model to a child is truly a transformative and uplifting experience. I’m grateful for men, like my grandfather, who graciously share their unconditional love, wisdom and guidance. Happy Fathers Day to all the father figures in our community – have a blessed and relaxing day.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.