ortunity to learn from and network with these experts
The City of St. Louis to Host National Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
The City of St. Louis is proud to announce that it will be hosting the national Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference (RVP) from October 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. This highly anticipated event, presented by the Center for Community Progress, is the only national conference focused on the reuse of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.
With over 1,000 community leaders, state and local policymakers, and community development practitioners from across the country expected to attend, RVP will provide a platform for learning and sharing innovative solutions for addressing vacancy. The conference will also showcase St. Louis’s own local revitalization efforts and provide a national perspective on how other cities are building stronger neighborhoods.
Empowering Communities through Education and Collaboration
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in 34 sessions and 11 mobile workshops, covering a wide range of topics such as land banks, creative land reuse, new legal frameworks affecting vacant property, and strategies for promoting affordable housing. These sessions will be led by experts in the field, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge for attendees to take back to their own communities.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones expressed her excitement for the conference, stating, “I’m thrilled to welcome the RVP Conference to St. Louis this year. Having this national event here is a testament to the impactful work of the STL Vacancy Collaborative and the City of St. Louis.”
The STL Vacancy Collaborative (STLVC), a coalition dedicated to reducing the negative impact of vacant property in the City of St. Louis, played a crucial role in advocating for St. Louis as the host city for this year’s RVP Conference. Mayor Jones added, “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. By working with a diverse set of stakeholders from different sectors, we are committed to addressing the high concentration of vacant properties in our community and creating a more vibrant and safe St. Louis.”
Building a Better Future for St. Louis
The Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI) builds on years of the STLVC’s grassroots engagement, research, and resource development to strategically and equitably address vacant property prevention, stabilization, and reuse. This initiative also complements essential programs offered by the City to transform vacant properties from burdens on city services into neighborhood assets.
Several key members of the VSI will be presenting at the RVP conference, providing valuable insights and expertise on addressing vacancy. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in mobile tours highlighting St. Louis’s neighborhood revitalization projects, including The Delmar DiVine, home rehabs in South City, the Sunflower+ Project in Old North, Brickline Greenway, commercial revitalization on West Florissant Ave, and vacant land reuse in College Hill.
Join the Movement to Reclaim Vacant Properties
RVP is not just a conference, it’s a movement towards creating stronger, more vibrant communities. Attendees will have the chance to connect with top national experts on property law, community redevelopment, and equitable revitalization, providing a unique opportunity to learn from and network with these experts.
Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Register now for the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference and join us in St. Louis to learn, collaborate, and make a positive impact in your community.
