For the past 10 years, communities all over St. Louis have been on a steady incline of historic rehabilitation of buildings. Because of these efforts, families and businesses are re-locating into these areas and property value has increased. From Soulard to the Shaw Neighborhood, the recent increase in population, foot traffic and small business development in these neighborhoods proves that historical rehabilitation of homes and commercial buildings supports the future of communities.
While it is important to acknowledge these successes, it is also important to note what is missing. The type of attention and care that endured throughout South City’s rehabilitation has not been shown in North City, and it is long overdue. Across North St. Louis, lawmakers and government officials have allowed buildings and homes to fall into decay and despair. On behalf of the residents and stakeholders of North City, I contend that this disregard cannot and will not continue.
What is the point of helping one side of the city rise up and treat the other side with indifference? The City of St. Louis is a fractured community, one that has been separated by racial lines for generations. Today, the racial boundaries still exist and can be seen today through the upkeep and care shown in certain neighborhoods in the City. If historical tax credits continue to be a government policy (which I hope it does), then all the citizens, no matter the racial background or geographical location, of the City of St. Louis should reap the rewards.
This brings us to the question of “What are the rewards of historical tax credits?”
If a single home on a block is rehabilitated, then the existing family in that house will live in a safe and valuable property that they can call their own. If a whole block is rehabilitated, then this neighborhood becomes a prime target for small businesses to emerge. The impact of having a corner grocery store in each neighborhood would be immense; quick and affordable access to food and basic living needs is essential to helping a neighborhood ascend.
Economic growth can be seen through the creation of jobs through the rehabilitation efforts; in a study done by SLU, over 43,000 new jobs were created due to historical rehabilitation programs. Not only that, what type of attention would local public schools receives once the neighborhoods around them are rehabilitated? The possibilities are endless.
It is time to level the playing field. It is time for the government to support the neighborhoods of North City. I am ready to begin this fight for my communities. If you are too, please write to your state legislature and to the Governor to ask them to preserve and reform the Historic Tax Credit program. It is a program that works, and work is something we all need right now.
The reconstruction of North St. Louis must be the focus of development for the region if our state is too grow. The city deserves, the people deserve it and our children deserve.
Rebuild now.
Martin Casas is a candidate for state representative.
