Prevailing wage compliance on The Rail and 1014 Spruce tax abatements
At a glance
- What: Two projects, The Rail and 1014 Spruce, received activated tax abatements although prevailing wage was reportedly not paid in full.
- Where it stands: SLDC says special agreements were worked out under the previous director to pay the missing wages and that SLDC attorneys hold the details; Whitson could not discuss them. Whether workers have been repaid is unconfirmed.
- Concerns: Alderperson Sweitzer (name spelling uncertain) asked about repayment and audits of other projects; the vice chair said the former SLDC director activated the incentives out of compliance; the chair said at least one affected worker died before being paid.
- Next: Members want details from SLDC counsel and a minority and women-owned business goals report, which Whitson said is coming soon.
Sources
- 2026-10-20 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee (committee video, auto-captions)
- https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/events/eventdetails.cfm?Event_ID=55660 (committee agenda)
Discussion time
About 11 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee | 11 |
Log
- 2026-10-20 - Housing, Urban Development & Zoning Committee - Raised by several members during the compliance report; SLDC referred detailed questions to its attorneys.