JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A plan by a St. Louis County candidate for the Missouri Senate to tear down a historic home in Jefferson City and replace it with a new residence is drawing fire from preservationists as well as his Democratic opponent in the Nov. 5 election.
Former state Rep. David Gregory and wife, Paige Gregory, have proposed building 鈥淧aige鈥檚 Castle鈥 to replace a 141-year-old home at 401 East Capitol Avenue, just blocks from the Missouri Capitol.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been said that every woman deserves a castle鈥 begins a proposal by the couple to the Jefferson City Council. 鈥淒avid Gregory believes this and is making it a reality.鈥
In a Facebook post, the nonprofit Historic City of Jefferson, a preservationist group, calls the planned structure 鈥渙ut of character鈥 for East Capitol Avenue, a stretch of historic homes in the capital city where many structures sit vacant and where a 2019 tornado set back redevelopment efforts.
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The plan 鈥渋gnores local citizens and developers that are currently invested in the area, or the local developers that proposed to restore the current structure,鈥 the Facebook post said.
In their 鈥渧ision鈥 statement describing their proposal, the Gregorys write that 鈥淒avid鈥檚 service in the Missouri House of Representatives kept him from his wife, Paige, for half of each year.
鈥淗e vowed to her that, if he ever returned, he would build her another home so she and their family could always be with him,鈥 the plan said. 鈥淒avid is on a mission to build Paige her castle and create a new, historic trend for Jefferson City living.鈥
The plan goes on to say the company is seeking to buy 401 East Capitol and/or 405 East Capitol and/or 113 Adams.
The plan says ideally 401 East Capitol would be used for Paige鈥檚 Castle, which will be the first phase of the project. The second phase calls for an 鈥渆qually themed 鈥楥arriage House鈥欌 at 113 Adams. They also want an 鈥渆qually themed鈥 space at 405 East Capitol.
The plan goes on to say David Gregory plans on 鈥渟elf-occupying鈥 Paige鈥檚 Castle and making it available for leasing on a peer-to-peer rental platform such as Airbnb.
The developer is listed as PG & Co. LC, managed by David Gregory.
In a statement to the Post-Dispatch, Gregory said, 鈥淲ith the very recent arrival of our eight-month-old daughter, I鈥檓 focused more than ever on my wife, my daughter and my district to ensure we all have the future we deserve. I鈥檓 proud to build a home away from home for my family to be with me as I serve my district in Jefferson City.鈥
The City Council is scheduled to meet Monday evening. Meeting materials showed a bill introduced to authorize the development agreement 鈥渨ith LLCs controlled by PG & Co., LC鈥 for the three properties in question.
鈥淭here is concern that the council will vote to suspend the rules and approve these contracts on the 16th rather than wait the normal two weeks,鈥 the Facebook post by the historic preservation group said.
A spokesperson for Gregory鈥檚 opponent in the state Senate race, Democrat Joe Pereles, blasted the plans.
鈥淭he voters get to decide who will go to Jefferson City on November 5th, not David Gregory,鈥 said Megan Shackelford, spokeswoman for Pereles.
鈥淧erhaps he is finding projects outside of the district to avoid explaining to voters why he believes victims of rape and incest should not have access to the health care they need,鈥 she said.
Gregory, who served three terms in the Missouri House and lost a 2022 bid for state auditor, voted for the current abortion ban that outlaws all abortions except in medical emergencies.
The race for the 15th Senate District is on the same ballot as Amendment 3, which would reverse the abortion ban.
The district, currently held by term-limited state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, is viewed as one of the most competitive state Senate contests this year.
It includes municipalities such as Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ballwin, Manchester and Ellisville.
鈥淛oe is focused squarely on talking with voters over the next seven weeks, not building castles in Jefferson City,鈥 Shackelford said in an email.
Gregory said, 鈥淐learly, my opponent wants to talk about my family because he doesn鈥檛 want to talk about the liberal policies he supports that hurt families in my district.鈥