The size of the vacant buildings problem in St. Louis and East St. Louis can only be estimated. The number of vacant buildings changes constantly. Some buildings are demoilished, some are renovated, and other buildings that were not previously vacant are now abandoned.

City of St. Louis

There are approximately 6,000 vacant and abandoned buildings in the City of St. Louis. Of these, approximately 5,000 are residential buildings, and 1,000 are commercial, industrial, or mixed-use buildings. The 6,000 vacant buildings represent about 4% of the total building stock. There are approximately 1,900 condemned vacant buildings (32% of all vacant buildings) which are damaged beyond repair, structurally unsound, and need to be demolished. Of the 6,000 vacant buildings, approximately 4,000 are privately owned, and 2,000 are owned by the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA). 56% of the 1,900 condemned buildings are owned by LRA.

Over the past five years, over 2,700 buildings have been demolished by the City of St. Louis, at a cost of over $15.5 million (an average cost of $5,700 per building). There were an additional 1,538 private wrecks done by the building owners. Demolition is done by the LRA and the Building Division.

Building demolition is prioritized based first on structural deterioration, then the degree of public safety hazard, followed by the proximity to occupied adjacent properties (homes, schools, churches, etc.), and finally those slated for redevelopment. The Building Division and LRA receive regular input about derelict buildings from the fire and police departments, aldermen, neighborhood groups, and concerned citizens. Emergency demolitions are routinely performed on extremely dangerous, and fire-damaged buildings. Special federal block grant funds are being used to demolish buildings close to schools and day care centers.

Current federal EPA regulations prohibit the City of St. Louis from demolishing more than one building per block per year unless additional funds are spent for the inspection, testing, and possible abatement of any hazardous building materials (such as asbestos) which may be found in these abandoned buildings.

City of East St. Louis

There are currently about 900 vacant buildings in East St. Louis. The city is using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to demolish these buildings. It plans to use $300,000 to demolish 75 to 100 buildings each year.

Vacant buildings are demolished when they are in areas where revitalization is underway; when the buildings are considered a threat to the health and safety of nearby residents; when the buildings are within 1,000 feet of a school, park, nursing home, or church; when the buildings are along major streets or along the Metrolink route; or when the buildings are next to a viable business.