St. Louis Public Radio explains the various efforts of the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority.
"St. Louis has the distinction of having the oldest land bank in the country, created by a Missouri state statute in 1971," according to an article by Maria Altman. "It was a response to St. Louis’ quickly shrinking population after reaching a height of 856,000 people in 1950." These days, the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) owns more than 11,000 parcelts in the city of St. Louis.
In addition to explaining the larger and ongoing project of the LRA, Altman describes some of the "renewed focus on what to do with all the vacant land LRA controls." That renewed focus includes a Vacant Land and Blight Task Force several months again that includes both public and private stakeholders.
Altman also reports that Mayor Francis Slay in May announced a "Mow to Own" program that allows residents can now buy [a] vacant lot for $125 and some sweat equity." The program not only encourages residents to maintain vacant lots, it also brings in revenue through title transfer fees and property taxes. The article includes three more examples of projects by the LRA to help manage and improve the city's vacant properties.
FULL STORY: St. Louis takes new look at old problem: What to do with vacant land and abandoned buildings
Population Decline in the Latest Census Estimates
Not only are suburbs growing, many of the larger, older cities that had reversed decades of population decline, are now losing population, again. The biggest losers: counties with the greatest population densities.
St. Louis Groups Come Together to Form Neighborhood Vacancy Coalition
Legal and community groups in St. Louis align to curb ill-effects of the city's many vacant properties.
Cook County Land Bank Expands Vacancy Program, Offers 4,400 Lots for Sale
The vacant lot program at the Cook County Land Bank Authority recently kicked into high gear—offering a huge number of vacant lots for sale, located around 27 neighborhoods and suburbs in the Chicago region.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions