Vacant storefront windows throughout New York City are an urban blight. And with traditional retail being such a tough market, they're becoming more common.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has a plan to solve this problem.
While in Albany, the mayor called for the passage of a "commercial vacancy tax." What this would do is force retail locations from keeping their properties empty or holding out for a high-paying, long-term tenant.
Landlords currently have a legal right to hold out for the rent levels they want.
"We have a number of empty storefronts. It's a growing problem in our neighborhoods. Let's pass a smart, targeted tax to stop landlords from leaving their properties empty, from blighting neighborhoods," de Blasio said.
"Let's make clear to landlords that this is a problem for our communities, and with this tax, hopefully we would encourage landlords to turn their properties over more quickly and ensure that small businesses have an opportunity to rent them at a reasonable level."
De Blasio is on the hunt for more money. Just a thought.
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