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This winter’s “triple epidemic” with the novel coronavirus has left many city downtowns with significant office vacancies and empty retail spaces as many people work from home. is occurring. This phenomenon is not unique to the Northeast, as many West Coast cities experience the same thing. I am also intrigued by the policy response of the city authorities.
It’s no secret that many of Connecticut’s cities have viable downtowns. Many of our urban centers are specifically zoned for commercial use (offices, retail), and there are few policies and financial incentives to allow residential development to thrive.
Housing demand has been a long-standing concern in countless American cities, and modern mixed-use development has been a daunting process, especially in old industrial-era manufacturing cities. Not surprisingly, many cities in the three-state region are undergoing downtown rezoning and redevelopment, especially around public transit hubs and existing rail and bus stations. Long-time residents, young professionals and vacant homes often prefer public transport access and walkable options.
But now even the largest cities in the US are affected by office and retail vacancies. New York City officials have produced a policy report to tackle the issue. Interestingly, thanks to a new mayor (Eric Adams) and a new governor (Kathy Hochul), they seem to be getting their ideas out to the public. Given the messy and contentious relationship between former Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Adams and Ho-Chol may be able to cope with the pandemic’s office vacancies and residential rental demand.
Chicago is among the top 10 largest U.S. cities facing the problem of more than 50% of employees not returning to their downtown offices. Their legendary “Magnificent Mile” Michigan Avenue retail district transformed from an empty chain store into a small business pop-up shop as local officials quickly responded to the empty retail space.
San Francisco’s high office vacancy rate has most likely attracted media attention. That’s because downtown office workers are dwindling amid skyrocketing home rents. The New York Times recently published a scathing review of the increasingly empty downtown corridors of San Francisco.
But Washington, DC, where I lived for several years, faces office vacancy rates amid housing demand. For example, a local developer has begun converting an office complex into rental apartments near downtown Washington.
Various Connecticut cities are lagging behind in their own downtown renaissance. Although Stamford is now her second-largest city in the state (a recent census pushed New Haven to her third place), office vacancy rates aren’t as much of a concern as local cities. .
I am less worried about Stanford because it has been able to weather previous economic storms and authorities tend to be nimble about their urban development efforts. In fact, their downtown has a variety of textbook commercial, retail and residential development approaches due to viable civic, shopping and living spaces.
Other Connecticut cities, however, have more commercial zone downtowns and few residential developments. Hartford and Bridgeport, among other downtowns, may have a more versatile development strategy and cope with slow redevelopment. With few residents living in these city centers, it was difficult to keep retail spaces open.
Now may be the perfect time for our cities to rethink their strategic planning and redevelopment approaches. Rezoning and remodeling downtown office spaces for residential redevelopment not only helps accommodate existing residents, but also has the potential to attract newcomers. With thousands of newcomers moving from New York City to Connecticut and office vacancies rising, it’s time to tackle the housing development needed to revive the city’s downtown.
Jonathan L. Wharton is Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies and teaches Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.
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