Carrollton existed between a radioactive dump and a radioactive creek. These dangers were unknown throughout Carrollton’s existence. Yet, despite knowing how useless the new runway would likely be, multiple agencies were determined to buyout our houses in Bridgeton and build it. Was there another motive to building the runway? Did they know then what we know now?
Many are still looking for answers from Lambert and the FAA on why the runway was built even after TWA collapsed and the airline ecomonic bubble appeared to be bursting in 2002. Maybe it is a coincidence that 2,000 homes in very close proximity to a radioactive landfill was destroyed and what was left of the area is (mostly) gated off.
A blessing in disguise, or maybe officials in St. Louis and Jefferson City knew something we didn’t know. If they did damage control by removing Bridgeton’s largest community, they left behind many other small neighborhoods that are, surprisingly, still thriving.
Just a mere thought regarding the coincidence of it all.
J. Desy Schoenewies
56 Houses Left 
While I wouldn’t bet my life on it, a conspiracy seems unlikely to me here. When the airport’s powers that be started seriously pushing for the expansion back in the 1980s, it did look like there would be a legitimate need for additional capacity in the not too distant future.
Once the buyout was underway it wasn’t going to stop even though changing market conditions made it completely obvious that continuing with the expansion was illogical. To stop would be admitting a mistake. Talk to anyone involved with the Bridgeton Air Defense back when and they will tell you about the smug arrogance of Colonel Griggs and the other airport officials and politicians who pushed this boondoggle down their throats. These were people not about to concede they were wrong.
Jami, great to see you still posting occasionally. I hope life is good for you and you are doing well in CA. I am good friends with your family friend and neighbor, Mike. We’ve talked many times about how much we appreciate your documentation of this urban tragedy.
This year, the City of St Louis has apparently seen fit to stop mowing and maintaining most Carrollton acreage on the north side of 270 that they at least used to be contractually obligated to maintain. The only properties they continue to maintain are the properties that are immediately adjacent to the streets that are still open. Much of the unmaintained property behind the closed streets is quite visible from the open roads however, and it gives the appearance of an area that is being left to go back to nature. Nature abhors a vacuum and the slobs of the human race do as well. And so the north of 270 area is becoming more and more blighted with dumped trash of all varieties. Bags of yard waste abound along with all types of trash both bagged and not. Old kids playground toys to sofas and everything in between. Very sad…
Desy, did you know where those asbestos-contaminated houses ended up? They were placed in the South Quarry, demo in 2002, against the Southwest wall, and now are probably being consumed in the fire. I have the proof of this.