Bureau to handle complaints. The Land Reutilization Authority was created to take over vacant properties and group them for re-use. Mayor Cervantes failed in his attempt to get a new airport started in Illinois, close to downtown St. Louis. He thought this would be a great benefit to the City and downtown St. Louis, but the proposal generated great controversy and helped lead to his defeat for a third term in 1973. Cervantes was defeated in that bid by John Poelker in the Democratic primary. Cervantes was defeated in another bid for mayor in 1977 by James F. Conway. Another Cervantes controversy was allowing the demolition of Pruitt Igoe, which left thousands of residents homeless. Later life After serving as mayor, Cervantes taught at St. Louis University and returned as an active manager of his business interests that included Cervantes and Associates Insurance Agency and the Laclede Cab Company. After losing office, Cervantes published a memoir entitled "Mr. Mayor" (Los Angeles: Nash Publishing, 1974). Cervantes died in St. Louis on June 23, 1983, at age 62. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery. What is currently the America's Center convention center complex was originally named for Cervantes in 1977. References Brief biographies of St. Louis mayors at the St. Louis Public Library's website. 1920 births 1983 deaths Saint Louis University alumni Mayors of St. Louis American sailors Burials at Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis) 20th-century American politicians United States Merchant Mariners of World War II