The streets of St. Louis will soon buzz with national discussions as the city hosts the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, focused on turning empty urban spaces into community assets. Scheduled for October 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, the conference will welcome over 1,000 attendees, including policymakers, community leaders, and development practitioners eager to share ideas and best practices for addressing urban blight, according to the City of St. Louis.
In a statement obtained by the official City of St. Louis website, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said, "I’m thrilled to welcome the RVP Conference to St. Louis this year. Having this national conference here is a testament to the impactful work of the STL Vacancy Collaborative and the City of St. Louis." During the three-day conference, participants will engage in 34 educational sessions and take part in 11 mobile workshops. These sessions will cover various topics, including the basics of land banks, creative reuse strategies, and recent legal frameworks affecting vacant properties.
The STL Vacancy Collaborative, a coalition at the forefront of reducing vacancy's negative impact, has been key in bringing the event to St. Louis. Mayor Jones further commented, "This conference highlights one of the many reasons why, the City’s Community Development Administration chose to partner with the Vacancy Collaborative in a 2-year contract to co-develop a Vacancy Strategy Initiative," as stated by the City of St. Louis.
St. Louis's Community Development Administration and the STL Vacancy Collaborative will present their efforts during the conference, with key members sharing their findings and strategies. By sharing their experiences, they aim to inspire attendees to turn vacant buildings and lots into benefits, supporting the broader mission of the Reclaiming Vacant Properties conference and encouraging dialogue for action and change.
