City of St. Louis Meets Match Requirement, Unlocking $15 Million for Building Demolition

(St. Louis– January 21, 2026) — The City of St. Louis has officially met its local match requirement for the $15 million Regional Crime Commission/Land Reutilization Authority (LRA)/ State American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded building demolition projects, clearing the way for the City to fully expend the funds and accelerate critical demolition efforts citywide.  

ARPA funds are subject to strict federal timelines, including needing to be fully expended by December 31, 2026, or the City risks forfeiting the unspent funds. By conducting extensive reviews of ledgers, and documenting qualifying expenses, the Comptroller’s Office was able to identify $7,519,401.83 in eligible costs. 

“Meeting this match requirement is a major win for the City of St. Louis,” said Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer. “I applaud the efforts of two of our dedicated, experienced accountants that went above and beyond when they were asked to take on this extra task. Because of their diligence, we can now fully leverage the $15 million available for demolition.” 

Demolishing long vacant and structurally unsound buildings is a critical component of the City’s public safety and neighborhood stabilization strategy and directly aligns with the intent of ARPA funding. ARPA dollars were designed to help communities respond to and recover from the public safety, economic, and quality-of-life challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. In St. Louis, long neglected vacant buildings continue to pose serious safety hazards and hinder neighborhood recovery.

“As a State Representative, I used my platform to underscore how critical these funds would be for our City,” Baringer said. “By directing ARPA funds toward strategic demolition, we are making targeted investments that address long-standing challenges while delivering lasting public benefit.” 

Removing dangerous structures reduces immediate risks, stabilizes surrounding blocks, and creates opportunities for redevelopment and reinvestment—ensuring ARPA funds are used to produce durable improvements for residents and neighborhoods. 

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Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city's credit rating and with protecting taxpayer dollars. Visit www.stlouismo.gov/comptroller to learn more about the Office of the Comptroller.