St. Paul reviews vacant‑building program: staff propose refinements, emphasize equity and capacity

The St. Paul City Council organizational committee received a detailed review of the city’s vacant‑building program on a morning agenda that included presentations from Legislative Hearing Officer Marcia Mormon, Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Deputy Director David Hoban and DSI Director Angie Wiese.

Marcia Mormon summarized the program’s origin and purpose and said the ordinance traces to the 1974 creation of the vacant‑building program after a violent incident in an empty University Avenue building prompted the city to act. She described the program’s twin goals: enforce minimum rehabilitation standards and return properties to safe, occupied use.

DSI staff presented data and operations details. Staff said the city currently registers roughly 400–450 vacant buildings, with about one‑quarter of registered vacant properties located in Ward 1 and notable representation in Wards 5, 6 and 7. Combining single‑family houses and duplexes accounts for roughly three‑quarters of the registered vacant buildings, staff said.

The ordinance divides properties into three categories…