ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - First Alert 4 continues to dig into the problem properties and vacant buildings that plague St. Louis.

Robert Carlsen is the executive director of the Dutchtown Main Streets neighborhood organization.

Carlsen said tackling vacancies is a priority. A big focus is on vacant properties on Grand, Meramec, Virginia and near Marquette Park.

Carlsen said those areas are targeted to help with economic development and revitalization.

“We want to get these buildings into responsible ownership and we want to get them back into productive use for families in our neighborhood,” Carlsen said.

Carlsen said he lives next door to a vacant property in Dutchtown himself.

“What does it communicate having vacant boarded up buildings to residents? What does it communicat

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