The city of St. Louis is in the midst of an intense political debate—with mayoral consequences—on the subject of development incentives, which critics say just help the rich get richer.
According to an article by Jacob Barker and Koran Addo, mayoral candidates in the city of St. Louis have found an issue they can agree on: the need to reform development incentives.
According to the article, "public incentives such as property tax abatement and tax-increment financing that often subsidize [redevelopment] projects are under growing scrutiny, and candidates running to be the city’s new mayor agree that some changes in approach are overdue."
The concerns of the seven remaining mayoral candidates echo the controversies surrounding development incentives in Chicago, according to the article:
Concerns have mounted over the amount of city and school district revenue being returned to the developments, estimated at some $709 million between 2000 and 2014. Others worry the incentives mainly benefit the city’s central corridor, where most development occurs.
Outgoing Mayor Francis Slay committed to reform of the city's current system of development incentives back in October 2016, acknowledging that some projects received benefits that could have afforded to proceed without the incentives, forcing the city to forgo possible sources of revenue.
Meanwhile the issue remains a hot button for some candidates for the Mayor's Office who have voted for development incentives as previous stops in their political career.
FULL STORY: Mayoral candidates agree reform of St. Louis development incentives overdue
Missoula Approves Tax Increment Financing for Workforce Housing
The funding mechanism exchanges public funding for a certain number of affordable units.
Mapping Tax Abatements to Mitigate Controversy
St. Louis politicians are embroiled in controversy over the city's use of tax abatements, which come at the expense of funding for the city's school district. A map is seen as part of the solution.
Report: Tax Increment Financing Is the New Redlining
A new report from the Show-Me Institute provides a scathing critique of the demographic disparities apparent in how the city of St. Louis deploys tax increment financing.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service