Updates on the Hearing

The Board of Building Services Committee that heard Praxair's appeal and our testimony on 11/10 will be deliberating on this issue on 12/8 at 1PM in room 208 of City Hall. As far as we know it is an open meeting that anyone can attend (to observe) but no more "testimony" will be allowed.

Background regarding Praxair explosion at St. Louis facility and incidents that have followed*

6/24/05-At approximately 3:15 in the afternoon, a fire starts at the Praxair facility on Chouteau Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood. Shortly after, huge explosions occur, sending flames hundreds of feet into the air, and metal canisters into the surrounding streets and neighborhood. Portions of the neighborhood are evacuated as fire crews attempt to prevent the fire from spreading into the surrounding historic neighborhood. Numerous homes and cars suffered significant damage. Following the incident, debris and asbestos are found throughout the neighborhood. The facility is hosed down with water for weeks and air quality is monitored.

6/30/05-The Lafayette Square Restoration Committee (LSRC) hosts a meeting to address residents’ concerns and questions regarding the explosion at the Praxair facility and safety issues. Attending were the mayor, fire chief, police chief and various other city officials. The neighborhood expressed their appreciation to the emergency workers who put themselves in harms way to help battle the fire and limit the damage to the neighborhood. Praxair officials assure neighbors that they will work with the city to relocate their St. Louis operation to another site.

Summer 2005-Praxair continues to attend monthly LSRC meetings throughout the summer, providing updates on cleanups and insurance claims. In the meantime, interim operations for Praxair have been shifted to other locations around the area.

9/29-Praxair issues a press release & letter to Lafayette Square residents stating that:

1) They believe “the premature release of a safety relief valve on one or more gas cylinders containing flammable gas may have contributed” the St. Louis fire.

2) They plan to resume “interim” operations at the Chouteau facility (pending being issued a building permit by the city) while they continue trying to “identify” another site for operations.

9/30-Praxair meets with officials to request a building permit to re-open their Chouteau facility. The city denies the building permit. Mayor Slay and Alderman Reed state their support of this denial and concern for neighborhood safety.

10/1-The Lafayette Square Restoration Committee (LSRC) applauds the city’s decision to deny Praxair the building permit and re-state their position that Praxair’s operations are “not compatible with a residential neighborhood.”

10/4-Mayor Slay states that the City will work with Praxair to find a more suitable location but will NOT support their plans to re-open at Chouteau UNLESS & UNTIL:

1) They “provide documented evidence that residents and businesses in the Lafayette Square neighborhood are comfortable with their interim plans for limited operations at the Chouteau facility.”

2) They “provide detailed plans to the City outlining exactly what they plan to do at their Chouteau facility.”

10/11--LSRC Meeting:

1) Residents of Lafayette Square vote 150-1 stating that they oppose the issuance by the City of St. Louis of any building, occupancy or other permit that would enable Praxair to resume or continue operations at the existing Chouteau site.
2) The Praxair Neighborhood Task Force is created to address neighbors concerns regarding Praxair’s attempts to re-open at their current location. Anti-Praxair signs are soon displayed in yards throughout Lafayette Square.

11/10-The Board of Building Services hears Praxair’s appeal regarding their request for a building permit being denied. 49+ letters of opposition were received by the board stating that residents DO NOT want Praxair re-opening in Lafayette Square. 40-50 residents were in attendance at the hearing, as were all major media sources (radio, print, TV). Praxair stated that they have a good safety record and “deserve” the permit. They also accused the city of not helping them find an alternative location. Residents (who were organized by the Praxair Neighborhood Task Force) showed video footage and pictures of the June explosion, addressed physical and mental health safety concerns, and pointed out that Lafayette Square is a protected historic district unlike any other in the United States. They insisted that Praxair is still a “public nuisance” (one of the reasons they were denied the permit in the first place) and asked committee members if they would feel safe with Praxair operating in their back yards.

11/17-It is announced that the committee which heard the appeal will deliberate on the matter at 1PM on December 8th, 2005 in room 208 of City Hall. It is an open meeting and anyone can attend to observe, but it is the understanding of the Praxair Task Force that further testimony will not be heard.

* This document is simply meant to provide a general overview for someone new to this website or issue and to the knowledge of the Task Force presents accurate information. For exact dates and facts please also research other media sources, etc.

Praxair hearing updates

Praxair had an appeal hearing regarding a previously denied building permit this afternoon (11/10/05). The hearing started at roughly 1:00pm and ended around 5:00pm. Praxair spoke for about one and a half hours while residents of Lafayette Square and Alderman Lewis Reed spoke for about two and a half hours. Testimony from residents was unanimously in opposition to Praxair being granted the building permit and was primarily focused on concern for safety as well as the historical significance of the neighborhood. Alderman Reed shared similar concerns and asked the Board Members to uphold the denial for the permit.

Praxair officials and their lawyer claimed that they have an outstanding safety record and that they “deserve” the building permit because they believe they have submitted the appropriate paperwork. They also focused on safety changes that they would make if they were to be issued the building permit and then resume operations. Many of their proposed safety improvements were couched in vague language (such as “reduced” storage of tanks/chemicals on the site).

Lafayette Square residents emphasized that Praxair was denied the building permit, in part, because they were perceived as a “public nuisance” and the neighborhood was not “comfortable” with the company resuming operations within the historic neighborhood. They asked the members of the board to consider if they would be comfortable with such an operation in their own backyards.

Residents shared stories of what the June 24^th explosion was like for them, which included stories of injuries to pets, parents who were separated from their children and feared for their safety, and a handicapped resident who was trapped in her home for some time when it was not yet “safe” for even rescue workers to get to her.

Residents also told stories of property damage, some of which is still unresolved, with 2 homes in the neighborhood being condemned due to the incident. They asked how Praxair could justify requesting a building permit when the company has not yet rectified the damage they have caused their “neighbors” nearly 5 months ago.

Additional Hearing Highlights:

- 49+ letters were submitted to the Board of Building Services by residents who oppose Praxair being granted the building permit

- Approximately 40-50 residents (and Alderman Lewis Reed) were in attendance

- All major media outlets were in attendance (TV, Radio and Print)

Web site visits increase

Over the last week PraxairWatch.com daily web site visits have increased over 300%! With the increase in interest, content is being updated even more rapidly. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information.

In addition, you may want to check out the new links section in the right hand column. There you will find links to stories, photos, videos and information.

Praxair Letter Campaign and Hearing Updates!

Please note that any additional letters will most likely not make it in time via the US mail service. So, if you still have a letter you have not sent and/or are still creating one please fax it to Ms. Lynn Wente at (314) 552-7617.

In addition please remember you are invited to the hearing tomorrow (Thursday - 11/10/05) at 1:00pm in room 208 at City Hall. If you wish to speak please leave the Praxair Taskforce an email at praxairtaskforce@yahoo.com.

Finally, if you are in need of any yard or window signage please drop us a line (email address above).

Praxair Exploding