Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 5h

Blight — the most ambiguous word used in municipal government.

From @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social:
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Officials say Cortex area still blighted after all these years, move renewal forward

An aldermanic committee moved forward with a plan to renew a blight determination for St. Louis’ Cortex district in an effort to finish redeveloping the area.

www.stlpr.org

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Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 21h

Art and objective local news are essential to the health of #STL. Our Arts & Culture Senior Reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin gets to champion both, and he's pretty thrilled about the sweet gig. Defend the arts and free expression ❤️ at stlpr.org/give. #STLPR #stlouis #stlart #stlartscene

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 1d

The Board of Aldermen will vote to approve five more years of a blighting determination at a later date. The extension allows the Cortex West Development Corp. to use eminent domain when needed.

Officials say Cortex area still blighted after all these years, move renewal forward

A committee in charge of urban development moved forward with a plan to renew a blighting determination for St. Louis’s Cortex district in an effort to finish redeveloping the area.

www.stlpr.org

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Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

Cristina Garmendia @howigetmynews.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks Kavahn! We look forward to introducing the legislation soon to update the Prop NS program and our rehab developer community. And I’ve sent a memo to the Office of Recovery specifically about the tornado damage to Prop NS participants, they are ineligible for insurance, FEMA aid, etc.

Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 2d

“The harsh reality is that redlining still exists, and a lot of those financial institutions are not making loans on the north side of the city or in the neighborhoods where we're doing stabilization work."

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

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

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 2d

“The harsh reality is that redlining still exists, and a lot of those financial institutions are not making loans on the north side of the city or in the neighborhoods where we're doing stabilization work."

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

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

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 6d

Never.

NPR @npr.org · 7d

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

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 6d

I'd just note this was during public comment on the new rules put forth to add restrictions on data centers in St. Louis. For context.

Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 6d

A speaker at the STL Public Infrastructure and Utilities meeting tonight says she's a former city resident who works with a company in the city. She gave a very pro data center perspective. Google reveals she's an employee of Steadfast City, a consultant working on the Armory data center proposal.

Cecilia Dvorak — Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners

Meet and connect with Cecilia Dvorak

www.steadfastcity.com

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 6d

I think it should be noted. She was asked by Alderman Browning to introduce herself and did not mention her company is directly involved in the current data center proposal.

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 6d

A speaker at the STL Public Infrastructure and Utilities meeting tonight says she's a former city resident who works with a company in the city. She gave a very pro data center perspective. Google reveals she's an employee of Steadfast City, a consultant working on the Armory data center proposal.

Cecilia Dvorak — Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners

Meet and connect with Cecilia Dvorak

www.steadfastcity.com

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Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

Charles Watts @charleswatts.bsky.social · 6d

2-0 Saka.

And breathe.....

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Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

Steph Kukuljan @stephkukuljan.bsky.social · 7d

NEW: #STL team behind data center proposal at the Armory will host 2 town halls

10/9 at 5:30 via Zoom
10/13 at 5:30 at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall

More info to come

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 8d

“St. Louis city officials have reported delays in the distribution of federal assistance... Some reports indicate that various aspects of the approved aid, however, have yet to arrive."

www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Hawley wants answers from FEMA following reports of delayed tornado assistance in St. Louis

Senator Josh Hawley sent a letter to the federal agency asking for answers about the reported delays of aid to victims of the May 16 tornado that ripped through St. Louis.

www.stlpr.org

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Reposted by Kavahn Mansouri

Kelsey Landis @kelseylandis.bsky.social · 13d

The progress officials have long said would come with the new NGA campus has not arrived at everyone’s doorstep in north St. Louis. ✍️ @stephkukuljan.bsky.social www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...

On eve of NGA opening, neighborhoods still waiting for a boost

The progress officials have long said would come with the new NGA campus has not arrived at everyone’s doorstep in north St. Louis.

www.stltoday.com

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 13d

NEW: Documents obtained by @stlpublicradio.bsky.social reveal the Armory data center proposal rivals the cost of the on-hold St. Charles project we connected to Google earlier this month. Meanwhile, pushback on the project grows.

✍🏻: me / @kgrumke.bsky.social

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Documents reveal Armory data center price tag is larger than controversial St. Charles project

Newly revealed documents outline the developer’s pitch to St. Louis to turn the shuttered Armory into a $600 million data center. However, while its developer says he’ll engage the public he offered f...

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 14d

TORNADO DEBRIS - For the past few weeks we've been monitoring the city's progress on its new debris cleanup contract with Looks Great Services. Neighbors say they've noticed progress but not always on the timeline provided by the city.
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

North St. Louis residents face uneven tornado debris cleanup 3 weeks into new city plan

More than four months later, north St. Louis streets, alleyways and sidewalks are starting to look clearer as city contractors remove debris from the May 16 tornado. But neighbors say the job isn’t as far along as they’d like, and in some cases the work is falling short.

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 14d

I want to get this out of the way as it's getting colder and my wife has that look in her eyes.

Rory Gilmore is a terrible human.

Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 14d

They were a little sparse on details here, something I'm looking into.

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 14d

BREAKING: BoA Pres. Megan Green says a moratorium on data centers is still possible if concerns over the projects aren't answered through city's new executive order.

MORE: Green says some parts of Armory project out of city's control due to 2017 redevelopment plan. www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Green says ban still possible as Armory data center project riles residents

Board of Aldermen President Megan Green says a data center moratorium is not off the table as residents complain of transparency, energy and environmental issues. A hearing on a data center proposal a...

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 14d

Some breaking news coming up on data centers and STL. Stay tuned.

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 15d

UPDATE: This project will NOT go before a conditional use hearing this Thursday as the developer has asked for a continuance. City staff said a new date for the hearing is TBD.

Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 15d

Browning says the $600 million data center proposal goes against city leadership's recent push to create a more walkable, people-friendly St. Louis.

“I do not think we should throw out our planning practices in exchange for temporary jobs and vague promises."

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Alderman says putting data center in vacant Armory building would create ‘void’ in Midtown

Alderman Michael Browning says a data center at Green Street’s vacant Armory building would create a void in Midtown that would offset positive momentum in the area. He called the plan to build a $600...

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 15d

Browning says the $600 million data center proposal goes against city leadership's recent push to create a more walkable, people-friendly St. Louis.

“I do not think we should throw out our planning practices in exchange for temporary jobs and vague promises."

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Alderman says putting data center in vacant Armory building would create ‘void’ in Midtown

Alderman Michael Browning says a data center at Green Street’s vacant Armory building would create a void in Midtown that would offset positive momentum in the area. He called the plan to build a $600...

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 19d

RECYCLING: Mayor Spencer noted during her presser this morning the city has reduced contamination rates in recycling by half. She also said the city is recycling "almost" as much tonnage as before the city ended alleyway recycling.

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 19d

UPDATE: “We want to be open for business,” said Mayor Spencer this morning.

Spencer said the city doesn't want to lose out on any potential business data center developers may bring but stressed the city needs to be "thoughtful" about addressing citizens' concerns.
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

No temporary ban on data centers in St. Louis as officials plan to tackle concerns

After initial discussion over a possible temporary ban on data center development in the city, officials say they plan to avoid a moratorium and instead use existing frameworks to answer questions and...

www.stlpr.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 20d

"A complaint filed last year alleged a former St. Louis police officer forced a 7-year-old girl to have oral sex. Child welfare services substantiated the accusation. An evidentiary hearing on his license is scheduled for Oct. 7. He has since gotten a job with a different department."

Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 20d

Essential reading for Missourians from @katiereports.bsky.social. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/09/18/m...

Missouri Police Officers Often Stay Licensed After Serious Misconduct

Missouri’s system often takes years to resolve a misconduct allegation, in some cases allowing officers to move on to a new department.

www.themarshallproject.org

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Kavahn Mansouri @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social · 20d

Essential reading for Missourians from @katiereports.bsky.social. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/09/18/m...

Missouri Police Officers Often Stay Licensed After Serious Misconduct

Missouri’s system often takes years to resolve a misconduct allegation, in some cases allowing officers to move on to a new department.

www.themarshallproject.org

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