The St. Louis board that’s responsible for reviewing development proposals and tax incentives is slated to approve key steps today that better position major and long-vacant properties for redevelopment. It’s also considering changes to the framework that determines how the city gives out tax abatements.
The Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority is slated to greenlight seeking bids for contractors to demolish the derelict parking garage directly south of the Railway Exchange. The authority purchased the garage and an adjoining surface lot for $2.6 million almost exactly a year ago.
Commissioners will also consider issuing bids to stabilize the Cleveland High School and Marshall School sites that the St. Louis Development Corporation recently purchased from St. Louis Public Schools. Meeting materials note that scopes of work for the sites aren’t final yet, though expected improvements include roof repair, removing internal debris, boarding up windows, and “moderate to severe interior and exterior wall, floor and ceiling repairs to insure structural stability and weather proofing.” The goal is to get both properties in a position where a redeveloper can breathe new life into the historic properties…