Forest Park Southeast Pre-Approved Tax Abatement (BB 70)
At a glance
- What: Board Bill 70, sponsored by Alderman Browning, approves a redevelopment plan with tax abatement for two vacant parcels in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood before any developer is chosen. Abatement would be up to 90% of added value for 10 years, plus 50% for 5 more years if affordable units are included, and applies only to new improvements (the land keeps paying its current taxes).
- Where it stands: Held in committee on October 13, 2026 after about an hour of discussion. A motion to adopt a committee substitute for an updated fiscal note was withdrawn without a second; the chair held the bill so amendment language can be worked out. The Planning Commission earlier voted unanimously in support.
- Why: Browning said the sites were vacated by highway construction and later speculation and neglect, a recent 300-plus unit proposal lost financing, and pre-approval gives developers a predictable path. There is no development proposal report because there is no developer.
- Main concerns: Alderman Aldrich was uneasy approving incentives without a developer and asked that any developer return to this committee; the SLPS Parent Action Council urged a no vote or a hold and a lower pre-authorized level (about 50%). Vice Chair Sinyangwe supported the bill and emailed amendment language adding transparency. Browning said he could support such language if it adds no new demands.
- SLDC clarifications: Whitson and Weatherford said scorecards, prevailing wage and minority compliance terms and the need test would still apply; permit and completion deadlines attach to the redevelopment agreement, and the plan lasts 25 years.
- Next: Committee to take up the amendment and fiscal note at a later meeting. See also School district consultation on tax incentives.
Sources
- Board of Aldermen minutes, October 16, 2026 (preliminary): https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/upload/legislative/minutes/Minutes%20October%2016,%202026%20Updated.pdf
- 2026-10-13 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee (committee video, auto-captions)
Discussion time
About 58 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee | 58 |
Log
2026-10-16 - Board of Aldermen
Minutes: under Miscellaneous Business, BB 70 was held in the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee.
2026-10-13 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee
Sponsor presentation, SLDC remarks, SLPS Parent Action Council opposition and a long debate about requiring developers to return to the committee; held in committee, no vote on passage.