When the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency opened its sprawling, state-of-the-art western headquarters late last month, dignitaries hailed it as a turning point for north St. Louis — a glittering promise of rebirth for an area long marked by disinvestment and decline. The city also has the NGA Arnold facility, located south of St. Louis.
The 97-acre epicenter, they said, would spark an economic boom and help the city recover from the ravages of the May 16 tornado. Mayor Cara Spencer called the NGA, “an economic engine that can turn our city into the growing region that we know we can be.” Gov. Mike Kehoe, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and other officials joined her on stage, celebrating what they described as the largest federal investment in St. Louis history.
Yet, the scene just beyond its gates tells another story…