The document provides a summary of images that piece together the true form of St. Louis. It describes the beautiful parks and architecture, but also images of a homeless man searching for food, abandoned stores, and deteriorating infrastructure as the city boards itself up due to safety and economic issues. However, the document conveys that just as the population moved to the suburbs over 50 years, people will gradually return to the city, and the potential for renewal will always be there as buildings wait for new tenants.

1. I want people to glimpse St. Louis in her true form.
Imagine these photographs as pieces of a puzzle. Gather together all
of your thoughts and mental images of the city of St. Louis. See her
beautiful parks and tree-lined streets, her old and beautiful homes, her
restaurants and bars, and her timeless monuments and architecture.
Now add to that idea of St. Louis a few of the images presented to
you here. A homeless man is prowling for meal money in the early
morning. A long abandoned store is waiting for a new owner. A train
trestle that still sees daily use slowly falls to pieces. The city is board-
ing itself up because it is neither safe nor profitable to do business
there anymore.
The true message in all of this is still hope for the future of the city. Just
like the exodus from the City to the County over the last 50 years, the
return will be gradual. But these buildings will wait for new tenants
for as long as they have to. The potential will always be there.
David Garcia
August 6, 2004

2. ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH

9. A WASTING AWAY

22. CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE