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early six months after an EF3 tornado struck St. Louis’s north side, the city faces a pivotal question: should vacant, crumbling homes remain or should new investment breathe life into neighborhoods without displacing residents? Antione Lawrence, owner of Ascend Real Estate Advisors and a lifelong St. Louis resident, argues that outside capital is essential to secure housing for those in need.

    Lawrence and his team have launched a bold social‑media push, with captions like “North St. Louis isn’t dying. It’s waking up” and “They call it disinvested. They call it forgotten, but the narrative is changing.” Their goal is to showcase promise over devastation. “Everyone likes to see the pretty stuff, but I want to highlight hope,” he says.

    The firm has already attracted investors willing to tackle the extensive repairs required for storm‑damaged homes. In the Academy neighborhood, a recently purchased property had a new roof and windows installed; the next step is tuckpointing. The investors aim to restore the house for a family, hoping to spark neighborhood improvement. Another buyer addressed a roof missing after a tree fell through, emphasizing that the motivation is not solely profit but providing quality housing for those who need it.

    Community advocates warn that revitalization must preserve the cultural fabric of historic neighborhoods. Felice McClendon of Delmar Main Street highlighted concerns about displacement, insisting that revitalization should involve community participation and create economic opportunities without gentrification. In Fountain Park, the Centennial Church is fundraising for a project that will rebuild the church, add a community medical clinic, and provide affordable housing, honoring the legacy of a beloved member who died during the storm.

    The city plans to allocate more than $2.5 million from the Rams settlement to developers and landlords to rehab vacant properties, aiming to have new housing ready for storm survivors by year’s end. Lawrence points to nearby amenities—Delmar Maker District, Central West End—and the walkable nature of the area as selling points. “The opportunity is immediate. The real question is how long can you afford not to invest in Old North St. Louis?” he asks.

    He sees investment as a way to bridge the Delmar Divide, the long‑standing disinvestment north of Delmar Boulevard. “Beautiful homes exist here just as they do in the south or west of the city,” he says. “Investing in a neighborhood that needs it is crucial, because when one part of the city thrives, the whole region benefits.”