Northeast News

A Missouri Senate Bill unanimously passed Thursday that could make a dent in Historic Northeast’s abandoned building issues.

Senate Bill 670, sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, aims at abating abandoned properties by waiving interest and penalties on tax delinquent properties when purchased by a not-for-profit organization under the Abandoned Property Act.

“This is a tool to help neighborhoods and non-profits rehabilitate nuisance and dangerous properties,” Justus said in a press release, adding the idea for the bill arose from speaking with neighborhood groups. “I’ve been told there are more than 7,000 vacant properties in the metro area. These are not just eyesores, they attract crime and lower property values.”

The bill amends the current abandoned property statutes to remove the interest and penalties, but does not remove the obligation to pay the property’s back taxes.

The next step will be for the Missouri House of Representatives to consider the bill.