On Feb. 23, I wrote about the proposed “open space” that NorthSide Regeneration LLC, has planned for the company’s $8.1 billion development of the city of Saint Louis. According to NorthSide’s plans and other publicly available documents, at least four owner-occupied homes are slated for open space.

When discussing the possibility of eminent domain, NorthSide representatives, including developer Paul McKee and attorney Paul Puricelli, have stated that eminent domain won’t be used to take owner-occupied residences. The specificity of the qualification “owner-occupied residences” should make anyone looking into the project take pause. After all, there are many types of properties that are important to lives and livelihoods that aren’t owner-occupied residences — for example, businesses. In the latest Show-Me Report, I profile Fehlig Brothers Box & Lumber, a business slated for open space.