Eminent Domain, Northside Regeneration and the St. Louis American
“The most recent edition of the St. Louis American‘s lively Political Eye editorial column deals with the Missouri Supreme Court consideration of the Northside Regeneration redevelopment agreement and tax increment financing bills, invalidated by Circuit Court ruling in July 2010. The Supreme Court took the case under advisement after a November 28 hearing and will issue a ruling early next year.
In other words, a parcel acquired through eminent domain is not eligible for the Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit, but a parcel acquired without eminent domain for a project that uses eminent domain to acquire other parcels is still eligible. The Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit does not “expressly forbid” the use of eminent domain — it just doesn’t pay back half the costs of stealing private property.”
Allen, Michael. Preservation Research Office 16 December 2012.