New fire codes builds pressure on St. Louis County Government Center

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The clock is ticking for the county to come up with a decision on their government center in Clayton.

The City of Clayton adapted new fire safety codes, and the County Government Center doesn’t meet them. Clayton City Manager David Gipson said it’s a hard decision the county will have to make.

“The building, in its current condition, without suppression, would not be an occupiable structure,” he said. “There’s no building-wide sprinkler system. The building as it sits today will not be occupiable after Jan. 1 of 2028.”

The administration of County Executive Sam Page has put together three potential options.

The first is renovating the current building, which would cost $175 million. Leasing a building is another option, but with a price tag of $340 million. The last option is to build a new public safety and administration building for $562 million.

The County Council would have to ask voters for new funding, whichever choice they make.

Results: April 2 Missouri Municipal Election

However, the idea of a new building costing over $550 million is running into problems. Chairwoman Shalonda Webb says the Page Administration is walking back a promise by the county to support some non-profits.

“We’re sitting on ARPA funds that the community and some recipients have been waiting on for over three years; how could they have the capacity to even engage in a conversation about a new building without handling these commitments first?” she said.

In response, spokesperson for Page Doug Moore said, “I’m not sure what this fire code issue has to do with funding nonprofits.”

Page is holding media availability Tuesday to address issues facing St. Louis County, including the issues surrounding the government center.

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