ST. LOUIS –  Big changes may be coming to a downtown St. Louis “gem” turned “eyesore.”  

Regarding the health and safety issues at the former Famous Barr Railway Exchange Building in recent years, this acquisition was announced Friday, a move city leaders have been hopeful for. 

It’s big news for downtown St. Louis, as the land clearance for the redevelopment authority moves forward with plans to acquire city block 129, a prime area located directly across from the iconic railway exchange building.

“We have now taken  the next step in addressing  the blight that is happening  here at City Block 129,” said Neal Richardson, president and CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation.

City leaders, including Mayor Tishaura Jones, announced the acquisition of the parking garage and surface lot.

“This means that downtown St. Louis is open for business and under construction,” Jones said. “This particular facility has held us back for many years. You’ve seen it in the graffiti, all of the things that are on it, and we want to take this down and makes the railway exchange project more attractive for future developers.”

Leaders say the deal opens up new opportunities for growth in this part of downtown. 

“What we are doing today is taking  bold actions to address that  blight and create  opportunities to create economic progress to be able to show pride of our city and the future development,” Richardson said.  

For more information on St. Louis Development Corporation initiatives, visit  St. Louis Development Corporation.