Praxair Relocation Update

In the last edition of the Marquis, it was reported that a representative of the Praxair Task Force had been invited, by Mayor Slay’s office, to sit in on a meeting that was scheduled between the Mayor, his staff, and Praxair officials. That meeting took place on January 9th. Alderman Lewis Reed was also present.

Highlights of the January meeting between Praxair & Mayor Slay:

-- Praxair stated the previously proposed Hazelwood site is still an unacceptable option.

-- Mayor Slay promised both Praxair and the neighborhood that the City is going to "redouble" their efforts to help the company find another suitable location.

-- Praxair officials stated they are committed to moving out of Lafayette Square. (Though it appears the company is still hoping to operate at the Chouteau site temporarily while another site is secured or prepared.)

-- The Mayor's office and Praxair have set 2/16/06 as a deadline to find a new location for the company’s operations. (This is the same day the Board of Building Services reconvenes, presumably with a decision regarding Praxair's building permit appeal.)

-- Jeff Rainford, the Mayor's Chief of Staff, will head a "Task Force" (that includes Praxair officials) to be sure a new site for Praxair is secured.

-- Mr. Rainford promised to keep the neighborhood updated on the progress of this search.

-- As Chair of the Praxair Neighborhood Task Force, April Breeden stated that, in general, Lafayette Square residents respect that Praxair serves a function within the St. Louis area, but they maintain their stance that any operations at their current location pose a direct threat to public safety. She stated that the Task Force wants to help expedite the relocation process in any way it can.

-- Mayor Slay encouraged the Task Force and neighborhood residents to provide suggestions for a new and appropriate site.

-- Specific sites were not discussed, but it has been agreed that the new site must be at least 5 acres in size in order to provide a "buffer zone" between it and other surrounding properties. Praxair is also looking for a site with decent access to highways, due to their transportation needs.

April spoke with Jeff Rainford on January 30th and he stated that the City is currently showing Praxair a variety of locations in St. Louis County. He stated that the Mayor’s office and Praxair are holding weekly conference calls to help expedite the search for a new location. He states they are doing what the can to attempt to meet the February 16th deadline. He also states he believes the company is truly committed to moving.

In addition, Mr. Rainford stated that the City has recently “signed off” on the clean up the company conducted in Lafayette Square. (He states this was one stipulation that had to be met before they could relocate.) He indicated that, with the exception of seven private properties to which the company could not gain access, Praxair has done everything they could to clean up the asbestos and other debris that was scattered throughout the neighborhood during the June explosion.

By next month’s edition of the Marquis more should be known regarding the outcome of the current search for a new location for Praxair’s operations. Neighbors should monitor the major news sources on February 16th-17th, as it is likely they will report the outcome of the Board of Building Services meeting that will be held that day (regarding the company’s prior request for a building permit). The Task Force will also continue to post updates here on its website.