ST. LOUIS – Vacant properties in St. Louis are costing homeowners an estimated $310 million in unrealized wealth, with property values dropping across entire neighborhoods.

The city is also losing approximately $25 million annually in property tax revenue due to these properties.

In 2024, St. Louis is set to spend over $21 million responding to issues related to vacant properties, including mowing, demolition, and public safety calls. The city has approximately 24,000 vacant parcels, with almost all of them located north of Delmar in North City, where 40% of the land is vacant.

St. Louisans voted back in November to pass a charter amendment to Proposition V, removing fine limits for owners of vacant properties.

The disparity in vacant land is stark, with only 4% of the land south of Delmar being vacant compared to 40% north of Delmar.

The city’s final suite of recommendations regarding vacant properties will be released next month.

All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence.  It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.