Overview

The Garden Lease Program allows residents to lease LRA lots for a five year period for $1.00 a year ($5.00 total). The lease program is beneficial to both the LRA and to the lessee for a number of reasons. Some individual lots are not for sale because they are needed for a larger, planned development.

Until that development happens, a garden lease gives the lessee site control so that they can fence it to prevent foot traffic, build a community garden or just enjoy the extra space. It also alleviates the heavy workload of the LRA maintenance crew and the city of St. Louis' Forestry Division.

The Garden Lease Program encourages the creation of vegetable and flower gardens, brings neighbors and communities together and reduces the number of vacant lots that can be used for illegal dumping or other crimes. Over 500 LRA lots are leased right now throughout the city and since the start of the Garden Lease Program in 1994, thousands of vacant lots have been converted to varied and creative reuses that help beautify the city.

Instructions

Read the Terms of the Sample Lease Form. Download the application, fill out the application Submit the completed application witht eh lease fees to: Wyvonia Warfield, SLDC

Maintenance Coordinator

Address:

520 Market St., Suite 2000

St. Louis, MO 63103

Phone: 314-657-3754

Fees

$1.00 per year ($5.00 for the five year lease) Note : Please do not send the $5.00 garden lease fee until your application is approved.

The cost of insurance on the property if required by the LRA.

What to Expect

Use of a LRA lot for the sole purpose of a green space or garden for the term limit defined in the Lease.

Additional Information

Basic Garden Lease Information

The Garden Lease Program is available to individuals, neighborhood associations and to community organizations.

The Lessee is responsible for maintenance and depending on the reuse, may be required to carry liability insurance.

Each lease request is reviewed by LRA staff to ensure that the reuse is consistent with that particular neighborhood's strategic plan and that no redevelopment is imminent. This process takes from 30 to 45 days to complete.

Only one application is needed for multiple addresses.

Leases may be canceled with 60 day notice.

LRA recommends that lessees follow urban gardening best practices as established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Garden Property Insurance

LRA and its lessees may be exposed to certain liabilities as a result of the Garden lease program. In the intrest of shielding LRA and its lessees from potential liability beyond their means, lessees of property with a risk of exposure will be required to obtain general liability insurance with the following components: