The city of St. Louis is in the midst of an intense political debate—with mayoral consequences—on the subject of development incentives, which critics say just help the rich get richer.
According to an article by Jacob Barker and Koran Addo, mayoral candidates in the city of St. Louis have found an issue they can agree on: the need to reform development incentives.
According to the article, "public incentives such as property tax abatement and tax-increment financing that often subsidize [redevelopment] projects are under growing scrutiny, and candidates running to be the city’s new mayor agree that some changes in approach are overdue."
The concerns of the seven remaining mayoral candidates echo the controversies surrounding development incentives in Chicago, according to the article:
Concerns have mounted over the amount of city and school district revenue being returned to the developments, estimated at some $709 million between 2000 and 2014. Others worry the incentives mainly benefit the city’s central corridor, where most development occurs.
Outgoing Mayor Francis Slay committed to reform of the city's current system of development incentives back in October 2016, acknowledging that some projects received benefits that could have afforded to proceed without the incentives, forcing the city to forgo possible sources of revenue.
Meanwhile the issue remains a hot button for some candidates for the Mayor's Office who have voted for development incentives as previous stops in their political career.
FULL STORY: Mayoral candidates agree reform of St. Louis development incentives overdue
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.