LOVEtheLOU’s Block Party on Block Unit #1
On August 21st we attended a block party hosted by LOVEtheLOU on the 4100 Block of Enright Avenue. The 4100 Block of Enright Avenue, known formally as Block Unit #1, was declared a historic district in 2000 and includes 42 dwellings and 11 garages. During the event, we connected with local leaders and community members on the street, and discussed our intentions to create public art monuments in Vandeventer. We listened to stories from people who lived on Enright Avenue both past and present. Amplifying and reflecting the voices of members of the Vandeventer community is integral to the growth and sustenance of Occupy Vacancy.
LOVEtheLOU’s mission is to unite the City of St. Louis through meaningful relationships with a loving foundation. They have worked on a variety of different initiatives to revitalize the vacant homes and create programming for youth in the city. We talked with LovetheLOU about the ways they have been working to create change in Vandeventer and other neighborhoods in North St. Louis, their challenges, and their successes.
We are thankful for moments like these where we are able to touch base and learn from members of our community in real time. We were so excited to talk to people, that we forgot to take photos, but here’s a cool map of the Block Unit #1 boundary around the time when it was first designated a historic district in 2000.
