St. Louis Puts Renewed Effort Into Vacant Properties

St. Louis Public Radio explains the various efforts of the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority.

1 minute read

June 19, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"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.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in St. Louis Public Radio

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

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.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

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?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

1 hour ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

2 hours ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

3 hours ago - The Texas Tribune