St. Louis Development Corporation

An early look at the Vacancy Strategy Initiative Report shows the number of vacant properties in the city decreased by 4% since 2018.

Williams takes over for Neal Richardson, who was appointed by former Mayor Tishaura Jones and led the organization for the past four years.

The Stable Communities STL pilot program used federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to hire contractors to repair vacant or neglected buildings and then pass on those costs to building owners

The city has made progress on two prominent vacant buildings in the past year, but rebounding from a “real estate nightmare” will take many more years.

The city’s Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority paid about $2.6 million Friday for the 10 parcels that make up the vacant parking garage and surface lot that comprise the city block.

It’s a problem that metastasized over decades, making it unrealistic to expect a speedy solution to the roughly 25,000 vacant buildings and lots inside city limits.

The St. Louis Development Corporation has also given $10,000 to help pay for the May Day Parade that was canceled earlier this month.

The decrepit building in downtown St. Louis is going through the eminent domain process.

The organization’s board of directors voted Thursday to approve the disbursement of $1,090,000 in operational expansion grants after a pause.

The Downtown West neighborhood of St. Louis will soon be home to a new arts and entertainment facility owned by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Logic Systems Holdings, a St. Louis County-based audio and video production company, will lease the space.