RE-ENVISIONING THE WORKHOUSE
St. Louis: Re-envisioning the MSI Workhouse (a now closed jail), was a visioning project in collaboration with local organizers and community members most impacted by the 23 acre site to define future use(s) for the site where formerly incarcerated folks and those impacted by the jail can thrive and create a just future.
ST. LOUIS
Partners and Collaborators: BlackArc, Public Design Bureau, DarkMatter Facilitation
Project Budget $150,000
Size: N/A
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3/$9000
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5/2022-5/2024
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02 Cease Implementation of Hostile Design
03 Abolish Carceral Spaces
04 Restructure Relationship to Power + Capital
THE STORY: The MSI Workhouse has a long history as a site of unjust incarceration in inhumane conditions, with over 95% of those incarcerated never convicted, yet held on average of over 200 days. In the process, people were stripped out of their jobs and homes and separated from their families and stability. This toll was taken almost exclusively by Black residents of the city. In 2019, a group of formerly incarcerated activists successfully organized to close the Workhouse.
The City of St. Louis has been seeking a vision from community members to help determine the future for this 23 acre industrial site. Colloqate collaborated with organizers on the ground to move forward a process that prioritizes those who have been most impacted by the site.
This process recognizes the impacts of inequitable planning that has historically left out the voices of people with marginalized identities and welcomes them to share their experiences and lead in defining what is needed to create a just future in order to thrive.
