Victory for Redevelopment Efforts in St. Louis City
July 3, 2024The Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis has issued a significant summary judgment ruling in favor of Lewis Rice’s client, the nonprofit Tabernacle Community Development Corporation (TCDC), a victory which prospectively should remove the burden of preexisting, delinquent sewer bills from the title to tax foreclosed properties across the City. Specifically, Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser entered judgment in favor of Tabernacle with respect to its purchase of a vacant property in North St. Louis and confirmed that its purchase pursuant to the Missouri Land Reutilization Act was free and clear of preexisting sewer bills, which in this case exceeded the value of the property in question. This outcome, achieved with Lewis Rice in conjunction with the Neighborhood Advocacy program of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, paves the way for buyers to more easily rehabilitate thousands of tax foreclosed properties across the City of St. Louis.
The STL Vacancy Collaborative, a coalition of community members, private and non-profit stakeholders, and City agencies committed to reducing vacancy in St. Louis, was instrumental in reforming the City's tax sale process. Director Torrey Park highlighted the impact of the ruling, stating: “When the STL Vacancy Collaborative helped reform the City's tax sale process in 2022, we envisioned removing significant barriers to property ownership. Now, with the Court upholding this crucial law, countless individuals can confidently purchase property in the City of St. Louis from the tax sale or the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) without the daunting obstacle of insurmountable sewer liens. This decision eliminates a major hurdle and opens the door to new opportunities for revitalization and growth in our community.”
As long-time supporters of Legal Services' Neighborhood Advocacy program, Lewis Rice partners with grassroots community groups to prevent and reduce vacancy and property abandonment, underscoring the firm's commitment to fostering community growth. Lewis Rice member Michael J. Hickey, who serves on the board of directors of Legal Services, provides pro bono support to TCDC and similarly situated community development clients, ensuring legal advocacy impacts the entire St. Louis community. Hickey states, “This decision is a potentially transformative step towards revitalizing our neighborhoods and creating opportunities for sustainable development. It's an honor to support such impactful work that brings real change and opportunity to our community.”
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Lewis Rice offers pro bono legal services to the St. Louis community through organizations like Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. Our firm is committed to making a positive impact through various initiatives, including supporting local nonprofits and participating in community development projects. Through these efforts, Lewis Rice strives to foster a stronger, more vibrant and inclusive St. Louis for all its residents.
