Jefferson National Expansion
The Missouri state legislator legalized urban redevelopment due to blight before the second World War. In 1940, the city of St. Louis cleared 82 acres of abandoned factories and manufacturing firms and African American slums on the riverfront. During this clearance approximately 6,000 residents were displaced, of which over 50% received no relocation assistance. (Gordon, 2008). This land was cleared for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park and Gateway Arch. The project was not completed until 1965.