Venta del parque del centro de St. Louis genera controversia legal

san luis, saint louis, st louis, missouri

2025-10-25

Controversia legal y política generada por la propuesta de vender Interco Plaza en St. Louis, un parque considerado público que la ciudad intenta convertir en estacionamiento sin consultar a los votantes.

<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7999999999999998;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Downtown St. Louis Park Sale Sparks Legal Dispute</h1><span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La ciudad de St. Louis enfrenta acusaciones de violar su propia carta constitucional tras anunciar la venta de un pequeño parque en el centro sin someter la decisión a votación pública. Dos defensores locales, Margaret Hermes y Henry Robertson, enviaron cartas a la Junta de Concejales advirtiendo que la propuesta de vender Interco Plaza es ilegal y contradice una enmienda aprobada hace casi dos décadas, la cual exige la aprobación ciudadana para cualquier venta o arrendamiento de terrenos públicos destinados a parques.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The city of St. Louis faces accusations of violating its own charter after announcing the sale of a small downtown park without holding a public vote. Two local advocates, Margaret Hermes and Henry Robertson, sent letters to the Board of Aldermen arguing that the plan to sell Interco Plaza is illegal and contradicts a nearly two-decade-old amendment requiring voter approval for the sale or lease of public parkland.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">El terreno en cuestión, Interco Plaza, ocupa aproximadamente tres cuartos de acre en la intersección de North Tucker Boulevard y Martin Luther King Drive. El comprador planea convertir el área en un estacionamiento para los inquilinos del antiguo edificio del <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Post-Dispatch<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, ubicado al norte del parque, en una zona que ya cuenta con abundantes lotes de estacionamiento.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The property in question, Interco Plaza, covers roughly three-quarters of an acre at the intersection of North Tucker Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive. The buyer intends to turn it into a parking lot for tenants of the old Post-Dispatch building to the north, in an area already filled with parking lots.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A pesar de las objeciones, el concejal Rasheen Aldridge, quien impulsa la propuesta de venta, sostiene que la transacción es legal y planea avanzar con la votación en la Junta de Concejales. Aldridge argumenta que la plaza ha estado cerrada desde que el municipio desmanteló un campamento de personas sin hogar tras un tiroteo fatal hace cuatro años, y que el espacio ya no funciona realmente como un parque.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Despite objections, Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who is sponsoring the bill authorizing the sale, maintains that the deal is legal and intends to move forward with a vote in the Board of Aldermen. Aldridge argues that the plaza has been closed since the city cleared a homeless camp following a fatal shooting four years ago, and that the space no longer functions as a true park.

<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">El concejal reconoció que reemplazar un parque con un estacionamiento no es una idea atractiva, pero señaló que la empresa compradora, StarWood Group, necesita el terreno para atraer nuevos inquilinos tecnológicos al antiguo edificio del <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Post<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, donde ya opera la compañía de pagos Block Inc., antes conocida como Square.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The alderman admitted that replacing a park with a parking lot is not the most exciting option but said the purchasing company, StarWood Group, needs the property to attract new tech tenants to the old Post building, which already houses the payments company Block Inc., formerly known as Square.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La regla de la carta municipal que está en debate se remonta a un conflicto de hace casi veinte años sobre Forest Park, el parque más emblemático de St. Louis. En aquel entonces, funcionarios planeaban arrendar parte del parque al hospital Barnes-Jewish, lo que desató una fuerte oposición pública. Más de 20,000 residentes firmaron una petición para exigir que futuras ventas o arrendamientos de parques públicos fueran decididos por votación. La medida fue aprobada con un 69% de apoyo.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The city charter rule at the center of the dispute dates back nearly twenty years to a controversy over Forest Park, St. Louis’ most iconic park. At that time, officials planned to lease part of the park to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which triggered strong public backlash. Over 20,000 residents signed a petition demanding that any future sale or lease of public parks be subject to voter approval. The measure passed with 69% support.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Interco Plaza se construyó en la década de 1980, cuando la ciudad invirtió 1.1 millones de dólares para transformar un área con vías de tren subterráneas abandonadas en un espacio público con pasarelas elevadas, vegetación y una fuente de agua. Sin embargo, el proyecto tuvo problemas desde el principio. La fuente falló y fue demolida en 2002, y el lugar pronto se convirtió en refugio para personas sin hogar, un problema que se agravó en 2021 cuando se instaló un campamento justo cuando Square preparaba el traslado de sus empleados al edificio vecino.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Interco Plaza was built in the 1980s, when the city invested $1.1 million to transform an area of unused underground rail lines into a public space with raised walkways, greenery, and a water fountain. However, the project faced problems from the start. The fountain malfunctioned and was demolished in 2002, and the area quickly became a haven for homeless individuals—a situation that worsened in 2021 when a camp was set up just as Square prepared to move its employees into the adjacent building.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tras un tiroteo fatal en el campamento, Square cerró temporalmente sus oficinas y la ciudad evacuó el área, cercando el parque. Posteriormente, John Berglund, socio gerente de StarWood, indicó ante un comité municipal que su empresa buscaba comprar la plaza tanto para prevenir futuras ocupaciones como para facilitar el estacionamiento de futuros inquilinos. StarWood ofreció 275,000 dólares por el terreno.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After a fatal shooting at the camp, Square temporarily closed its offices and the city cleared the area, fencing off the park. Later, John Berglund, managing partner at StarWood, told a city committee that his firm wanted to purchase the plaza both to prevent future encampments and to provide more parking for future tenants. StarWood offered $275,000 for the property.

<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Algunos concejales expresaron preocupación por violar la carta municipal, pero el abogado Dave Sweeney, representante legal de StarWood, afirmó que la venta es válida, ya que la plaza nunca fue designada oficialmente como parque mediante una ordenanza. Además, señaló que una porción del terreno ya había sido vendida previamente a otro desarrollador, y luego adquirida por StarWood.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some aldermen voiced concerns about violating the city charter, but attorney Dave Sweeney, representing StarWood, argued that the sale is valid because the plaza was never formally designated as a park by ordinance. He also pointed out that a portion of the land had already been sold to another developer, which was later acquired by StarWood.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">El consejero municipal Michael Garvin y la alcaldesa Cara Spencer coincidieron con ese argumento, sosteniendo que, al no existir una ordenanza formal que clasifique el espacio como parque, la venta puede proceder. Sin embargo, Hermes y Robertson aseguraron que esta interpretación es errónea y una forma de evadir la ley. Hermes afirmó que, si los concejales no están satisfechos con el estado del parque, deberían trabajar en mejorarlo, no venderlo.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">City Counselor Michael Garvin and Mayor Cara Spencer agreed with that interpretation, arguing that since no formal ordinance designated the area as a park, the sale can proceed. However, Hermes and Robertson claimed that this reasoning is flawed and simply a way to bypass the law. Hermes argued that if the aldermen are dissatisfied with the park’s condition, they should work to improve it, not sell it.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La concejala Anne Schweitzer manifestó que, aunque entiende la dificultad de tener que realizar una elección pública para vender un parque problemático, la ley es clara: el terreno está listado como parque en el sitio web oficial de la ciudad, y la mayoría de los parques carecen de una ordenanza formal.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer stated that although she understands the inconvenience of having to hold a public vote to sell a problematic park, the law is clear: the land is listed as a park on the city’s official website, and most parks lack formal ordinances.La presidenta de la Junta de Concejales, Megan Green, coincidió, asegurando que proceder con la venta contradice directamente el propósito de la enmienda de la carta municipal creada para proteger los parques de la ciudad.
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Board of Aldermen President Megan Green agreed, stating that moving forward with the sale directly contradicts the intent of the city charter amendment created to protect public parks.

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Venta del parque del centro de St. Louis genera controversia legal

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