Matt Averett
@matthewaverett.bsky.social
Architectural historian at Creighton University.
St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Aura farmer.
St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Aura farmer.
Pinned
Canfield Drive
On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown and a friend were walking down Canfield Drive, a residential street in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. There, they encount...
upress.missouri.edu
My book is available now via the University of Missouri Press (and will be available from other sources in December). #STL
My book is available now via the University of Missouri Press (and will be available from other sources in December). #STL
Canfield Drive
On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown and a friend were walking down Canfield Drive, a residential street in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. There, they encount...
upress.missouri.edu
November 5, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My book is available now via the University of Missouri Press (and will be available from other sources in December). #STL
Reposted by Matt Averett
The Board of Aldermen will vote tomorrow on whether to give themselves and Mayor Spencer broad authority to sell off almost half of the city’s parks.
October 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The Board of Aldermen will vote tomorrow on whether to give themselves and Mayor Spencer broad authority to sell off almost half of the city’s parks.
Reposted by Matt Averett
“Tearing down monuments erases history!”
October 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“Tearing down monuments erases history!”
em-dash.
October 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
em-dash.
“Staff cuts, the closure of regional printing presses and cuts to printed editions characterize Lee Enterprises as it tries to expand its digital subscriber base while keeping existing print customers and advertisers on board.” #STL
October 15, 2025 at 12:51 AM
“Staff cuts, the closure of regional printing presses and cuts to printed editions characterize Lee Enterprises as it tries to expand its digital subscriber base while keeping existing print customers and advertisers on board.” #STL
“The exhibition was created especially for #SLAM and overseen by Kiefer—the 80-year-old artist did everything from selecting display tables to creating site-specific works inspired by the confluence region and indigenous water spirits.” #STL
Monumental exhibition of works by Anselm Kiefer heads to the Saint Louis Art Museum
Come October 18, visitors who enter the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Sculpture Hall will be immersed in the work of Anselm Kiefer, the German artist whose 60-year career is captured, in part, by the new e...
www.stlmag.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
#STL doom loop or building boom?
There’s a lot to be excited about in St. Louis #stlouis #development #buildings
TikTok video by Overarchingstlouis
www.tiktok.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
#STL doom loop or building boom?
"Through funds made available from the Prop NS fund, roughly $6 million a year, city officials hired contractors to stabilize the homes, which typically entails fixing a building’s roof, foundation, exterior walls or other aspects that keep a home from deteriorating." #STL
After five years, St. Louis’ Prop NS program has fully rehabbed just 12 of its stabilized homes.
The city-backed effort aimed to turn vacant properties into community assets but has struggled finding buyers who can secure funds to complete the process.
The city-backed effort aimed to turn vacant properties into community assets but has struggled finding buyers who can secure funds to complete the process.
Prop NS stabilizes nearly 200 land banked homes in St. Louis, but buyers face challenges
Despite selling roughly 113 repaired homes in north St. Louis, only 12 of the homes sold through the program have been fully rehabbed.
www.stlpr.org
October 6, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"Through funds made available from the Prop NS fund, roughly $6 million a year, city officials hired contractors to stabilize the homes, which typically entails fixing a building’s roof, foundation, exterior walls or other aspects that keep a home from deteriorating." #STL
The most important newspaper in St. Louis since 1878 (and indeed one of the nation’s greatest newspapers) is on death’s door. #STL
St. Louis Post-Dispatch ends Monday paper as subscriptions plummet
Owner Lee Enterprises closed St. Louis food publication Feast last week and let go of its staff.
www.stlpr.org
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
The most important newspaper in St. Louis since 1878 (and indeed one of the nation’s greatest newspapers) is on death’s door. #STL
Reposted by Matt Averett
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
"The saga of the two-story brick building on Cherokee Street’s Antique Row seems to demonstrate the extent to which accused slumlord Dara Daugherty is willing to go to retain her real estate holdings" #STL
Cherokee Street neighbors see slumlord Dara Daugherty’s tight grip first-hand
Earlier this year, a neighborhood group wrested control of an abandoned property in the heart of Cherokee Street from a notorious slumlord. They spent $173,000 fixing it up, with an eye on converting ...
www.stlmag.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
"The saga of the two-story brick building on Cherokee Street’s Antique Row seems to demonstrate the extent to which accused slumlord Dara Daugherty is willing to go to retain her real estate holdings" #STL
The work in question is a series of frescoes by Ben Shahn celebrating the 1935 establishment of Social Security.
“I think the Social Security mural is the best work I’ve done,” Shahn wrote when he completed the work in June 1942. #WPA
“I think the Social Security mural is the best work I’ve done,” Shahn wrote when he completed the work in June 1942. #WPA
The New Deal Masterpieces Threatened by Trump’s D.C. Downsizing
Your great-grandparents paid Ben Shahn and Philip Guston to create gorgeous public murals. Next year they could be rubble.
newrepublic.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The work in question is a series of frescoes by Ben Shahn celebrating the 1935 establishment of Social Security.
“I think the Social Security mural is the best work I’ve done,” Shahn wrote when he completed the work in June 1942. #WPA
“I think the Social Security mural is the best work I’ve done,” Shahn wrote when he completed the work in June 1942. #WPA
"Snøhetta was selected out of a field of 36 candidates as design architect and landscape architect. This renowned firm, based in Oslo, Norway, designed the National September 11 Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in New York City and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art..." #STL
An inside look at the design details of Powell Hall's expansion
“Orchestras are very much a reflection of their community,” says Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO). Ten years ago, when Bernard arrived in St. Louis ...
www.stlmag.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:54 AM
"Snøhetta was selected out of a field of 36 candidates as design architect and landscape architect. This renowned firm, based in Oslo, Norway, designed the National September 11 Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in New York City and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art..." #STL
“After six years of construction, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s new $1.75 billion ‘west campus’ — lauded as the largest federal investment in St. Louis history — opened Friday.” #STL
Officials call new NGA campus opening a ‘catalyst’ for north St. Louis
After almost six years of construction, a new campus for St. Louis’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s employees opened. The new campus marks a $1.75 billion investment in north St. Louis that...
www.stlpr.org
September 28, 2025 at 9:46 PM
“After six years of construction, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s new $1.75 billion ‘west campus’ — lauded as the largest federal investment in St. Louis history — opened Friday.” #STL
"Fairground Park for All intends to take the city’s previous master plan, revise it, and move forward with a mission focusing on the beautification of the park." #STL
New nonprofit seeks to restore Fairground Park as ‘crown jewel’ of north St. Louis
Fairground Park for All aims to restore the historic park to its former glory.
www.stlpr.org
September 27, 2025 at 1:47 AM
"Fairground Park for All intends to take the city’s previous master plan, revise it, and move forward with a mission focusing on the beautification of the park." #STL
"NGA’s presence in St. Louis since the 1940s is a point of pride for employees, and the new facility doubles down on the agency’s commitment to the region... relocating to North City meant the agency had to rethink its presence in the community." #STL
NGA officially opens the doors to its new North City headquarters
Nearly a decade after the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency revealed it would build its new $1.75 billion western headquarters in north St. Louis, the defense intelligence agency will officially...
www.stlmag.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"NGA’s presence in St. Louis since the 1940s is a point of pride for employees, and the new facility doubles down on the agency’s commitment to the region... relocating to North City meant the agency had to rethink its presence in the community." #STL
"The $1.1 billion proposal would have run a street-level light-rail train connecting Jefferson Avenue, Chippewa Street and Fairground Park." #STL
St. Louis cancels north-south MetroLink expansion project
Mayor’s office and Bi-State Development officially end development of the north-south MetroLink Green Line, citing costs.
www.stlpr.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
"The $1.1 billion proposal would have run a street-level light-rail train connecting Jefferson Avenue, Chippewa Street and Fairground Park." #STL
St. Louis is at a demographic crossroads: new 2024 Census data show both warning signs and opportunities.
Saint Louis University professor Ness Sándoval joined @stlonair.bsky.social to talk about how building more single‑family homes may be key to sustaining growth.
Saint Louis University professor Ness Sándoval joined @stlonair.bsky.social to talk about how building more single‑family homes may be key to sustaining growth.
The St. Louis region stands at a demographic crossroads, SLU professor says
Preliminary results from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey offer both encouragement and caution for the region’s future.
www.stlpr.org
September 15, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“The demolition of the building at 10215 Count Drive in the Castlepoint area kicked off an $11 million project to tear down properties identified by St. Louis County officials.” #STL
Bulldozers demolish first of more than 200 problem properties in north St. Louis County
Demolition crews knocked down a problem property in the Castlepoint area, the first of more than 200 that St. Louis County officials have marked for teardown. The $11 million project aims to greatly r...
www.stlpr.org
September 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM
“The demolition of the building at 10215 Count Drive in the Castlepoint area kicked off an $11 million project to tear down properties identified by St. Louis County officials.” #STL
Conspiracy theories about Bible giants and other such nonsense would be "laughable" if they "were not a kind of Trojan horse to soften up the public to accept political propaganda in place of history and complete the assault on America’s museums that failed in the 1990s."
The Super-Weird Origins of the Right’s Hatred of the Smithsonian
The Trump administration has stepped up its antagonism of America’s treasured museums. But conservative antipathy toward the institution began long ago—with the bones of Bible giants.
newrepublic.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Conspiracy theories about Bible giants and other such nonsense would be "laughable" if they "were not a kind of Trojan horse to soften up the public to accept political propaganda in place of history and complete the assault on America’s museums that failed in the 1990s."
"The LRA currently owns around 9,000 properties that are available for purchase, and 85% of those parcels are vacant lots. The remaining 15% are vacant buildings" #STL
Land Reutilization Authority resumes taking offers for vacant St. Louis properties
New offers must be submitted by Sept. 3 to be considered at the Sept. 24 LRA board meeting.
www.stlpr.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
"The LRA currently owns around 9,000 properties that are available for purchase, and 85% of those parcels are vacant lots. The remaining 15% are vacant buildings" #STL
“Sumner High School is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Though the school is historic, alumni are fighting to keep the school open. They say its closure due to the tornado is concerning, but they are optimistic that it will be fully restored.” #STL
As Sumner High School celebrates 150 years, alumni fight to save its legacy
Alumni are fighting to keep Sumner High School open after it was damaged by the May tornado. They are optimistic that the historic school will be fully restored.
www.stlpr.org
August 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“Sumner High School is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Though the school is historic, alumni are fighting to keep the school open. They say its closure due to the tornado is concerning, but they are optimistic that it will be fully restored.” #STL