We will place a priority on increasing the economic strength and growth of viable existing commercial nodes and corridors. Commercial development typically flees to the “next new thing,” leaving previous locations for new sites, usually in growth areas. While understandable, this trend leaves older commercial areas underutilized with more marginal businesses and vacancy, lower rents, and reduced upkeep and investment. While market conditions and age will inevitably make some areas less competitive, we must maintain the strength of our existing viable districts. This program may include:
- Improving the function and convenience of commercial areas with improved transportation access, including better local circulation, enhanced transit service, and internal and external pedestrian and bicycle linkages.
- Creating a better physical environment through streetscape and public space investments.
- Providing financial incentives like tax increment financing for site and building upgrades, and for introduction of new uses into single-use commercial areas.
- Creating new parking standards for mixed-use projects that recognize that different uses generate their highest parking demands at different times.
- Encouraging new commercial within redevelopment areas, benefitting existing retailing by introducing new nearby attractions.
We will implement strategies for the reuse and redevelopment of low-performing commercial areas. Cities don’t stand still and neither do retail markets. Some of the city’s commercial areas are no longer viable in their current form, but still siphon some commercial activity from other, stronger districts. We will implement strategies for revitalization of these underutilized but still important districts.