Convent on University of Missouri-St. Louis campus saved

BEL-NOIR, Mo. -- After a push from community activists, the old Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Convent in Bel-Noir has been saved from demolition.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis announced Monday the planned demolition of the convent has been canceled. University spokesman Bob Samples said school chancellor Thomas George decided to cancel the planned summer demolition so a positive relationship with the community could be maintained.

The 1920s-era convent had been slated to be torn down as part of the school's original plan to address a maintenance backlog worth an estimated $300 million.

The convent buildings had previously been used for campus housing, the honors college and office space but had been left vacant in recent years.