From Vacancy to Vitality: Partners Rally Around Dutchtown’s Momentum

From Vacancy to Vitality: Kicking Off a New Chapter for Dutchtown

Last night, neighbors, city staff, lenders, nonprofit partners, and investors packed into Interwine on Virginia Avenue to launch From Vacancy to Vitality, a joint initiative of Dutchtown Main Streets and Tower Grove Community Development Corporation, supported by the PNC Foundation. Thank you to everyone who came out. The energy in the room made one thing clear: Dutchtown’s vacant buildings aren’t a problem to manage. They’re an inventory of opportunity.

Why this work, and why now

Dutchtown has more than 300 documented vacant properties. Each one is a home, a storefront, or a business that could be. From Vacancy to Vitality brings together the tools needed to bring them back: data to identify opportunities, legal strategies to move stuck properties, financing and tax credits to make projects pencil out, education for new developers and landlords, and support that helps tenants find and keep stable housing.

The program works on four fronts. We are rehabilitating a building on South Grand to show what’s possible. We are matching renters with quality units through ARCH. We are teaching residents and new investors how to take on vacant properties themselves. And we are creating investment-ready property profiles and outreach so more buildings find the right owners.

What we heard last night

Niccole Clements, VP Community Development Banking at PNC Bank addresses the crowd at the Vacancy to Vitality Kick Off event at Interwine bar, as Latasha Smith, Dutchtown Main Streets Board President, looks on.

Niccole Clements of PNC opened the evening by speaking about PNC’s commitment to neighborhood revitalization, tackling vacancy, and developing affordable housing. Clements pointed to PNC’s branch in the heart of Dutchtown and shared excitement about seeing so many groups come together to invest people and resources in such an important neighborhood.

LaTasha Smith, Board President of Dutchtown Main Streets, spoke about the power of collaboration and partnership, and about how technology and data will guide the work ahead.

Nate Lindsey, Vacancy Litigation Specialist with Dutchtown Main Streets, made the case that investing in vacant properties reduces crime, especially when that investment is concentrated in focused geographies. He highlighted UMSL’s dedicated work building the Vacancy Dashboard, which will be the primary tool for identifying opportunities, directing developers to them, and tracking progress. He also described new lawsuits against problem property owners, which will help move long-stuck buildings toward productive use.

JC Nunnery, Landlord Outreach Specialist at Tower Grove CDC, introduced ARCH (At-risk Renters Connection to Housing), powered by HomeScreen. ARCH gives Dutchtown landlords professional tenant screening and verification while helping clients of community partners find and keep long-term rental housing. The goal is fewer vacant units, fewer repeated vacancy cycles, and more stable tenancies. Progress so far:

33 of 100 tenant applications processed through HomeScreen
7 of 35 new Dutchtown landlords recruited and onboarded to ARCH
4 of 10 households placed into stable housing

Landlords with units in Dutchtown are encouraged to reach out to join ARCH.

Sean Spencer, Executive Director of Tower Grove CDC, shared an update on 4014 S. Grand (more below).

Dana Gray, community development consultant and grant administrator, introduced the Lunch & Learn series for aspiring developers, small landlords, and anyone curious about bringing a vacant building back to life.

4014 S. Grand: Our First Investment on the Corridor

Tower Grove CDC is proud to be a partner in Dutchtown. We served as project managers for St. Joseph Housing Initiative’s first seven homes in the neighborhood, and we recently completed the renovation of 3772 Chippewa. That property had been vacant for 15 years. Our $520,000 investment brought it back as two family-sized apartments, one with three bedrooms and one with four. The project was made possible through our partnership with Dutchtown Main Streets, the International Institute, Midwest BankCentre, and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, with PNC and U.S. Bank helping fund the stabilization work.

4014 S. Grand is our first investment along the South Grand corridor and a direct result of our framework and vision plan and our 2026 strategic plan. South Grand is the gateway to Tower Grove South, Gravois Park, and Dutchtown. We are investing more than $225,000 to restore this two-unit building, with each unit offering two bedrooms and one bath.

This work is made possible by our partners: Robert Hoser at Southern Bank, Dutchtown Main Streets, and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. Financing also includes Missouri State Historic Tax Credits and a generous subsidy from PNC Bank.

Progress so far. Tower Grove CDC is serving as general contractor. We have completed all new mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, and electrical), new framing, drywall, flooring, and trim, masonry repairs, and new gutters and fascia.

What’s coming next. Over the next two months, neighbors will see new concrete front steps and parking pads, fresh paint and new doors, and completed kitchens and bathrooms on both floors.

When finished, both two-bedroom units will rent for about $800 a month, adding quality, affordable housing to the South Grand corridor. After the holidays, once construction is complete, we’ll host an informal open house for neighbors and the wider community. We hope you’ll stop by to see the finished homes and celebrate with us.

Mark Your Calendar

Lunch & Learn Series. Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Neighborhood Innovation Center, 3207 Meramec St.

February 11: Financial Tools & Lending
February 25: Real Estate Development 101
March 11: Incentives & Tax Credits
March 25: Landlord & Property Management Best Practices

Vacant Property Tour. Saturday, February 27, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., starting at the Neighborhood Innovation Center, 3207 Meramec St. See Dutchtown’s opportunities firsthand and hear what it takes to bring them back.

4014 S. Grand Open House. Early 2027, date to be announced.

Thank You

From Vacancy to Vitality is a true partnership. Our thanks go to the PNC Foundation, Dutchtown Main Streets, UMSL, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Southern Bank, Dutchtown South Community Corporation, Dutchtown CID, DeSales CDC, Lutheran Development Group, St. Joseph Housing Initiative and every neighbor, lender, landlord, and city partner who showed up last night. Dutchtown’s future is being written building by building, and we’re glad you’re part of it.

Questions, or interested in investing, renting, or listing a property with ARCH? Contact Tower Grove CDC at sean@towergrovecdc.org or 314-583-9436.