The Mill Creek Valley project is part of a larger mile-long greenway and linear park, commemorating the Mill Creek Valley Community. This is all a part of the overall Brickline Greenway. The initial installation is at the new MLS stadium. Image Credit: LJC

The Pillers of the Valley is located adjacent to the CITYPARK Stadium as an eastern starting point of the Mill Creek Valley. This two-block area is the first implemented portion of the Brickline Greenway and is the first example of what is to come across the 20 miles of urban green infrastructure. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

This is a site plan with an image of the 1932 Sandborn Map indicating the extent of the buildings that made up the Mill Creek Valley Community. This historic map inspired much of the design concept. This also identifies three important nodes, the first of which is the Pillars of Valley. Image Credit: LJC

An enlarged plan view of the mile-long Mill Creek Valley section of the Brickline Greenway, extending from 22nd Street on the East at CITY PARK, to Compton Avenue to the West. Image Credit: LJC

This aerial image shows the extent of the Mill Creek community following the demolition of the neighborhood in 1959. With the new Highway 40 under construction, on September 1st, 1965. Image Credit: Historic Archives

Pillars of the Valley - MIll Creek Valley, lies adjacent to and in holistic design coordination with the St. Louis Brickline Greenway system. This ultimately connectors this project specific zone to the larger overall greenway cooridor system. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

Historic images of the once vibrant African American neighborhood before the City exercised eminent domain to clear the site in 1959, in the name of ‘urban renewal’, displacing over 20,000 residents, the majority of whom were Black. Image Credit: Historic Archives

Historic Lot Lines are defined by numerous design elements celebrating the past in the present and serves as a remind of what once was. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

This series of images are photographs of the major design elements of the landscape, including plaza, nods to history of site, and project materiality. Image Credit: Matt McFarland / LJC

The landscape is a critical part of the interpretation of this story, framed with hedges, and represents the original lot lines of the homes and businesses that stood on this site before the demolition. Each lot is identified by its address at that time, creating a series of small rooms for potential future augmented reality storytelling. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

The floor at the Pillers also shows the outline of the orignial houses at Mill Creek Valley Neighborhood. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

There are ethnobotanical plants that have been important to the original residents of Mill Creek Valley and the heritage of their culture and history. The Brickline Greenway system in St. Louis runs adajecent to the site, and is designed holistically with and by the landscape architect of the Mill Creek Valley segment. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

Local artists’ vision, supported by agencies and municipal and institutional partners and donors, shaped Pillars in collaboration with former residents and stakeholders. Image Credit: LJC

Each black granite pillar is shaped like an hourglass, holding the soil of the neighborhood, pausing time to commemorate the lives of Mill Creek Valley. Image Credit: LJC

The Pillars light up at night and enhance the atmosphere of the stadium and the plaza. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

The planting strategy utilized native plants to create the ‘rooms’ with a mix of formal and informal arrangements. Plants provide structure and seasonal interest throughout the year. Image Credit: Matt McFarland

Images of the granite plinth, which assists in absorbing stair treads to ensure the grades are accessible. The Plinth includes messages about the people who lived on this block, a map of the former community, and the artist’s statement. Image Credit: LJC

Images of the ribbon cutting and opening day for the Pillars of the Valley with residents. Image Credit: Great Rivers Greenway / Suzy Gorman

Uniquely situated along a sports facility, it stands as the first public monument addressing racism, inviting visitors to comprehend Mill Creek’s history and the displacement of its people. Image Credit: Matt McFarland