good riddence that place was disgusting. But its location is convenient, they could go there on a thurday night come friday morning they could go across the street to get a penacilin and tetna shot. If it does have that kind of history then the building should be saved and turned into something that would reflect its history.

I will miss the drunks walking from loves to blues tavern and passing out against the building in between, NOT.

Not drunks, they are alcohol-served Americans!

"The building dates far back into St. Joseph history." Worries me a bit. I hope the next thing we read about this is NOT that someone wants to preserve this due to it's historical significance.

younggrandma,
What's the difference between someone wanting to preserve this building verse's one in the downtown area? Can't pick and chose which part of town you want to preserve buildings. If you preserve one, you have to preserve the other.

yg - preservation in either area is fine, the difference is between a property owner making routine expenditures to keep a building up to code versus one that allows deterioration until condemned.

if you have ever been in the apartments above bluetown you'd know that they should be comdemned as well. That whole building is sick. Not only is it unsanitary but it is a safety hazard!!! As far as the tetnus shot next door, well I think you need one just looking at it. That place needs a demo or a owner who cares, no in between.

I never mentioned the downtown area.... but since you brought it up...While the work is beautiful the area is mostley bars I am guessing beautiful sidewalks will now be beautiful place to throw up, pass out and urinate on. I am tired of our tax money being used this way. I was born in St. Joe and over the years have seen several “major improvements” downtown that was for nothing.

young grandma, i really feel badly that so many people who are from this beautiful city do not see the unbelievable promise that our downtown holds. i see so much potential and progress. honestly, have you been down to felix street?

There is tremendous potential here but this city has spent far too much money trying to get downtown back to where it once was. I remember in the 70's when the stores were open it was a great place. When the stores closed it turned into a ghost town, now look at it. This is the 3rd major renovation that I can remember and there is still nothing down there to speak of. A LOT of the money spent over the last 30 years could be spent on more important things.

yg - actually you did mention downtown in you post at
1:28 PM. none the less, the moneys being spent in the "general" downtown area will ultimately bring economic growth to the city that benefits all.
you can not compare a 60's 70's or even 80's version of downtown to what it is going to evolve into. downtown historic locations throughout the country are now becoming bedroom communities with specialty shops, restaurants, and yes bars. the difference from the past is like night and day with such areas almost functioning as a city of its own. this does require the city to make investments but if you look carefully you will note there is also substantial money brought to the community by the private sector. dollars all being spent in Saint Joseph.

apmastrangelo... the posting at 1:28 was from bs64507 they were the one that mentioned downtown. The city tried in vain to be a bedroom community in the 90's. There were TV commercials stating by the year 2000 we would be Kansas Cities bedroom community. As you can see that never happened either. As for your predictions for downtowns future I hope one day you can tell me I told you so but lets wait and see.

Speaking of preserving old buildings younggranma, you should stop and thing about that. Remember the eyesore San Regis Apartments across from City Hall used to be? They were horrible, and now with new owners the place is beautiful. Not just anyone can live there, it's a nice place. I know because I live there. They have a strict screening process in order to maintain their investment, and now that mine is over I am thankful. I know I am in a safe place.

yg - right you are, and sorry, sometimes read through things faster than I would like.
I will take you up on waiting to see what the future will bring to downtown sjo. not meant as bragging but have not been wrong on one yet. it sometimes just takes a bit more time, coaxing, (not meant for you) and gentle persuasion of civic leaders lacking the vision in making things happen.

apmastrangelo... I hope all does go well and I can tell you "I was wrong & you were right". I do love this town but I do not have much hope that the civic leaders (past & present).

ajm..... As for you I am glad for you to have the income to live in such a nice apartment. Now tell me what ever happened to the person that lived there before you? With the price they paid to remodel each unit imagine what they could have done with a smaller budget and possibly remodel another run down building also.

yg - thanks, sjo is a beautiful place. just remember civic leaders exist to serve the community. if they do their job well, you reward them with another term and if they don't you move them out. people really have much more leverage than they think. each individual need only involve them-self and not accept excuses in order to see the results.

younggranma, if you think I have a large income to live here you are wrong. Actually you can't make OVER a certain amount of money a year to live here. I am 20, and make less than $20,000 a year, the cut off for one person is $21,900. I am not on housing or anything, the program just gives people like me who are just starting out, the option to live in a nice place for reasonable rent. As far as what happened to the people who used to live here, I asked that question and was told they were relocated, the company paid for that according to articles I read from last year. And, I have neighbors here who lived here before that were able to pass the criteria to get back in. Maybe you should take a look at one just to see how great they really are.

st joseph does not have to be a "bedroom community". this is a lovely city which should be able to stand on her own merits.