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City of St. Louis, MO

13/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 13/08/2024 20:52

Vacancy Strategy Initiative One Year Milestone

STL Vacancy Collaborative and CDA Mark One-Year of Partnership Milestone at Community Convening

VSI Community Convening
Thursday, August 15 · 5 - 7pm
Deaconess Foundation, 1000 North Vandeventer Ave

August 13, 2024 | 2 min reading time

STL Vacancy Collaborative and City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration (CDA) and are excited to announce the Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI) Community Convening on August 15, celebrating one year of progress of the VSI, a two-year partnership focused on developing best practices and policies for revitalizing vacant properties and strengthening neighborhood communities. The event takes place on Thursday, August 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the Deaconess Foundation, St. Louis MO.

The highlight of the convening will be a roundtable discussion focusing on opportunities for improving code enforcement efficiency, effectiveness, and equity in St. Louis City through strategic, cross-sector partnerships. The panel will feature distinguished experts:

  • Myia Wood - Attorney Manager, City of St. Louis Counselor's Office - Problem Properties Unit
  • Sunni Hutton - Founder and Fund Development Manager, Tenants Transforming Greater St. Louis
  • Henry Brown - Prop NS Program Specialist, St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and Co-Chair of the STL Vacancy Collaborative Code Enforcement and Property Improvements Project Group

The public and media are invited to the VSI Community Convening where community and City leaders will discuss the successes and challenges of the VSI's first year. Attendees will gain insights into the tools and resources available to empower residents and enhance neighborhood revitalization efforts. Panelists and VSI partners will be available for questions from the media.

Established in 2023, the VSI tackles the persistent issue of vacant and abandoned properties in St. Louis by formalizing a partnership with City departments and agencies. Focused on the strategic use of resources, the VSI prioritizes the prevention, maintenance, stabilization, beautification, and reuse of vacant properties. Building on years of grassroots work and research by the STL Vacancy Collaborative, the VSI provides communities with the tools to address vacancy challenges more effectively and equitably. The www.STLvacancy.com website offers a wealth of resources for individuals, neighborhood groups, and organizations concerned about vacancy, including the incredible Vacancy Explorer map, which empowers users to take action in their communities.

The City of St. Louis faces a significant challenge with over 24,000 vacant and abandoned properties, including around 9,000 buildings and more than 15,000 lots. These properties pose serious threats to public health and safety, drain City resources for maintenance, contribute to declining property values, and exacerbate population loss. The Vacancy Strategy Initiative aims to create a comprehensive action plan to address these issues, turning vacant properties from neighborhood liabilities into key assets for revitalization

Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI) Community Convening
Date and time: Thursday, August 15 · 5 - 7pm CDT

Location: Deaconess Foundation, 1000 North Vandeventer Avenue St. Louis, MO 63113

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About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The CDA serves as the City of St. Louis' hub for federal, state, and local funds, implementing the Mayor's economic justice agenda. By funding public and nonprofit entities, the CDA supports a wide range of initiatives, including public services, affordable housing development, blight eradication, and other community development activities www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/

About the STL Vacancy Collaborative: The STL Vacancy Collaborative (STLVC) is a coalition of community members, private and non-profit stakeholders, and City agencies committed to reducing vacant property in St. Louis. The STLVC helps to coordinate existing vacancy efforts under one umbrella and empowers the public and private sectors to work together toward solutions. We convene committees and working groups to facilitate systemic change, advance new policies, share success stories, and support neighborhood-centric solutions. The Community Builders Network (CBN) of Metro St. Louis serves as the STL Vacancy Collaborative's fiscal sponsor.