Midwest Voices

Lewis Diuguid

The Kansas City Star

Vacant lots fill huge sections of St. Louis.

It’s why a “Sustainable Land Lab” contest on how best to use the property makes a lot of sense. Four vacant lots in north St. Louis will go to those who develop the best ideas for the use of the property.

St. Louis City Hall and Washington University are working together to help people dream up new viable uses for the land, The Associated Press reports. White flight followed by black flight to the suburbs left a lot of old brick houses, apartment buildings and businesses in ruins.

Demolition followed. The contest could spur the renewal of the city with new families and commerce moving back to town.

Kansas City officials should study what is being proposed in St. Louis and put together a similar contest for vacant land use in the city. The possibilities are endless in attracting people, businesses and jobs back to the urban core.

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