Both St. Louisans and WashU community members are calling for WashU to compensate surrounding communities through Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), due in part to WashU’s growing real estate portfolio in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. However, WashU does not anticipate changing its stance on PILOTs, stating the University contributes to the surrounding municipalities in other ways. 

Several St. Louis news sources announced yesterday that Washington University purchased nine properties on the Delmar Loop from Joe Edwards, a longtime St. Louis property owner, at the end of 2022. The University, now one of the district’s largest property owners, acquired two parking lots and seven buildings, including the well-known Pin-Up Bowl, a bowling alley near campus.

The council hopes the task force will foster a stronger and more communicative relationship between University City and the University, specifically with regards to the University’s financial impact on the surrounding area.