Abstract
The homes of St. Louis, Missouri reflect the diverse backgrounds of the families who built them. As the need for labor grew during the City’s “brick boom,” families from the American South and from around the world immigrated to St. Louis, bringing unique architectural history with them. This history is now threatened by St. Louis’s rising vacancy rates.
The long-term impacts of racial zoning ordinances, restrictive deed covenants, and redlining have led to dense vacancy in North St. Louis neighborhoods. Crime, public health, and economic concerns follow vacant properties, adversely impacting North St. Louis individuals, families, and businesses.
Demolition has been a standing solution to vacancy. St. Louis neighborhoods have been razed in the name of “urban revitalization,” leaving vacant properties in the place of community anchors and architectural landmarks.
This note will explore the heritage of North St. Louis through its architecture and examine how many of its historic homes have become vacant. Current practices used to curb vacancies, including tax credit incentives, demolition, and grass roots initiatives will be explored. Finally, this note will discuss proposed amendments to stem the rise of current vacancies, and address how deconstruction and urban archaeology can be used to balance demolition and historic preservation.
Recommended Citation
Mary Webb,
The Role of Historic Preservation in St. Louis Vacancy Solutions,
68
St. Louis U. L.J.
(2024).
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.slu.edu/lj/vol68/iss3/16