Until 2019, the shuttered Missouri State Prison was enjoying a second life as a tourist destination that drew people from across the United States and beyond.
But after the one-two punch from the tornado in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020, that second life seemed destined to be short-lived.
As we recently reported, Housing Unit 4's roof was severely damaged and it had to be removed. Other parts of the prison were damaged as well. Tours were limited to undamaged areas.
Then came the pandemic. Tours were suspended. When they resumed, the scope of the tours still were limited.
But the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau used the time to focus on making needed repairs, which were extensive. Housing Unit 4 was roofless and exposed to the elements for about two years. Debris had accumulated inside the building.
But the two entities worked together to install an $830,000 roof and the CVB, along with volunteers, worked to clean inside. The job was larger than initially thought, so the tasks were limited to the main floor and dungeon cells.
Now, the CVB is preparing a tour season. Guests will only have access to those two lower floors of Housing Unit 4, not the upper floors.
Still, that's much better than a tour without Housing Unit 4, which, we would argue, is the heart of the prison.
Just keeping the tours open is a win for the CVB and the city.
MSP visitors made a $2.8 million economic impact on the city last year with hotel stays, restaurant visits and other shopping/attractions, the CVB estimates.
This year, the agency's goal is more than 30,000 visitors, about the same number as the last uninterrupted season in 2018.
We thank everyone at the CVB, the state and other entities/individuals who have worked to give it a realistic shot at that goal.
News Tribune