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this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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Economics
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There are so many empty business spaces in my town because landlords can just sit on them -- and potentially rake in tax credits -- even though no one wants to rent at their rates.
Needs to stop.
That's why San Francisco implemented a vacant storefront tax.
But getting commercial landlords to comply has been a struggle.
https://therealdeal.com/sanfrancisco/2023/06/01/few-retailers-respond-to-sfs-new-vacancy-tax-as-only-2-6-pay-up/
I was just in SF a month ago for the Dead & Co shows, and it really is astonishing how empty a lot of storefronts are, especially where we were staying up near North Beach/FW. Also too, the lack of late night food; in all the years I've been going to SF, you could always count on a noodle bar in Chinatown at 12-1a to be open, but not anymore. Not really anything except fast food. COVID wrecked that town. I've also never seen so few homeless people walking around, but I didn't head over to Oakland.
It's not just San Francisco.
Vancouver BC and nearby towns have a similar problem, and are working towards their own empty storefront tax.
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/dan-fumano-metro-municipalities-to-consider-taxing-vacant-commercial-sites
they could repurpose those buildings (difficult but possible) to dwellings, which would revitalize the downtown businesses - but no, they'll hold out desperately for a return to office that, if it was going to happen, would have happened already.
Meanwhile, there ain't enough housing. Everyone pays more and the core rots.
The storefronts being talked about are already zoned mixed use, it's really just the first floor street side storefronts that are barren, with residential apartments 2nd floor on up.
p.s. You gotta know where the late night eateries are.
Here's a decent list https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-late-night-food-drinks-restaurants-san-francisco