ST. LOUIS – The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (LCRA) began its condemnation process for dozens of properties in north St. Louis on Feb. 28, the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) announced in a press release today. 

LCRA—staffed by SLDC—sent letters to buy owners’ underused  properties with the intention of redevelopment. According to the press release, LCRA will be offering more than $1 million for about 87 private sites.

If the owners decline the offer, LCRA will file legal proceedings with the court to declare the fair market value of the property. 

“As a North City native, this is the kind of action we are forced to take to spur economic development for the residents in these neighborhoods,” SLDC President and CEO Neal Richardson said in the press release.

According to SLDC, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones signed legislation, which allowed the use of limited eminent domain power in the north of St. Louis.

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge sponsored that bill, targeting underused land in neighborhoods such as Jeff-Vander-Lou, St. Louis Place and Carr Square, which are in close proximity to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters. 

“We gathered a lot of feedback from North City residents on how they wanted to see this process,” Aldridge said. “This is about ensuring North City residents have a say in how they want to see problem property owners held accountable.”

LCRA looks to continue sending out more offer letters to owners for their property in North City.