Reducing Historic Tax Credit Could Curb Development in St. Louis

A successful tax credit that boosts development and preservation in St. Louis's historic urban core is under legislative attack in Missouri.

1 minute read

March 30, 2013, 7:00 AM PDT

By boramici


In the 1950s, Missouri embraced sprawl like no other state. It built 33,000 miles of state-funded highways and roads and relegated public transportation funding to municipalities. The city of St. Louis suffered immense population loss from suburban sprawl, and as industries fell into decline, its building stock became neglected. 

A 1998 tax credit that covered 25 percent of renovation costs for historic-designated buildings changed that.

"The program has done more than just save buildings. It has helped developers chart a course forward for St. Louis' most distinctive districts and neighborhoods, long after the industries that created them disappeared," writes Scott Ogilvie.

Fifteen years later, despite numerous success stories, the tax credit is under attack by Missouri Republicans who are concerned about revenues. Legislators have proposed cutting the credit to 1/3 of its current annual budget of $150 million.

Friday, March 22, 2013 in Next City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

June 4 - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

June 4 - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

June 4 - Philly Voice

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.