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ST. LOUIS -- A new district meant to add national security restrictions around the under-construction western headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency finally advanced last week with an endorsement from an aldermanic committee.
The bill creating a 958-acre "special use district" around the NGA campus would subject development proposals to review from NGA security officials and restrict some uses such as gas stations and manufacturers using certain processes and chemicals deemed potential threats to the NGA's operation.
"Those uses are based on what would pose a risk to us maintaining our 24/7 operations as a national security agency for this nation," Sue Pollmann, the NGA official leading planning and construction for the new facility, said during a Thursday hearing at the St. Louis Board of Alderman's Housing, Urban Development and Zoning committee.
The restrictive district has been under consideration since 2018 and was contemplated as part of NGA's agreement with the city when it agreed to build in north St. Louis. It would extend 2,500 feet from the property's perimeter, covering portions of neighborhoods such as Jeff-Vander-Lou, Carr Square, Old North St....