The Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI) is anchored by three critical pillars. Together, these pillars form a robust framework for our efforts to address vacancy issues and enhance quality of life in St. Louis.

Interagency Coordination & Community Engagement ​

We believe that tackling the challenges of vacant properties requires a united front. By fostering collaboration between government agencies and departments and community groups, we ensure that our efforts are coordinated and inclusive. We do this through three key efforts:

1. City Project Teams, which are comprised of key City agencies, departments, and partners who focus on specific projects related to the VSI’s goals. 
2. STLVC Project Groups that are made up of volunteer residents and experts who focus on addressing specific issues related to vacancy, such as code enforcement, policy, anti-displacement, and more. 
3. Quarterly Community Convening events that inform the public of the VSI’s progress and solicit input on the City’s vacancy strategy.​

Metrics, Maps and Cost Analysis

Leveraging data allows us to understand the scope of vacancy issues and community impact. This ensures that our strategies are informed by accurate information and are as effective as possible.
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With support from the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance, the VSI is building on the STLVC’s existing tools to create public-facing metrics and maps that track vacant properties and associated City expenditures. Additionally, the VSI is conducting a comprehensive Cost of Vacancy Analysis to assess both the direct and indirect costs of vacant properties, including effects on property values, tax revenue, neighborhood vitality, and city services.

• Building Interventions Map -This map will display the various property interventions that have occurred and that are planned; it will help give the user a sense of targeted interventions in any given area, how much they cost, and how they relate to one another spatially.
  
• Demolitions Map- This map will display all of the publicly funded building demolitions; the map will show planned, in progress, and completed demolitions
• Cost of Vacancy Analysis Dashboard - This dashboard will help show how much vacancy costs the City of St. Louis in terms of costs of service and missed revenue potential. Here are some examples of factors that will be analyzed:
  
  • Effect on Property Values: Fall in Property Value and Tax Collected
    
  • Forestry Department: Cost of Debris Clearing, Grass Mowing, and Building Demolishing on Forestry Department
    
  • Building Department: Code enforcement, Building Demolition, Building Inspection, and Board-ups of vacant buildings
    
  • Police Department: Cost of police dispatch, investigation, and enforcement
    
  • Public Health: Various negative externalities resulting from chronic vacancy

Vacant Lot & Building Management & Redevelopment Strategy

Building on the data and community engagement established by the two other pillars, the VSI will develop policies and prioritization models that will guide the equitable and efficient allocation of resources for building stabilization, demolition, lot maintenance, and beautification.
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Additionally, upon completion, the STLVC will deliver a final report including a range of operational, programmatic, and policy recommendations, reflecting the extensive input and support from City stakeholders and the public. The final report will serve as a strategic guide for implementing the VSI’s goals and ensuring that interventions are both effective and broadly endorsed.