By COLlive staff
The New York City Council passed a bill on Tuesday that will require business owners to register storefronts with the city to be a part of the first-in-the-nation public database of retail spaces and their vacancy status.
The bill, Int. No. 1472, was introduced by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, City Council Member Helen Rosenthal, and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
New York has been hit with an epidemic of empty storefronts, sprouting on city blocks from Inwood to Bed-Stuy, often remaining mysteriously vacant for years on end. While New Yorkers can undoubtedly see the problem with their own eyes, current city law does not include any tool for measuring and tracking these empty spaces.
Int. No. 1472 was jointly introduced on March 13, 2019 by the office of Borough President Brewer, Council member Rosenthal, and Council Speaker Johnson. Now passed, it will require building owners to register their vacancy on a public database managed by the city with their properties are empty and can be used to form the basis of possible solutions.
“You can’t fix a problem when you can’t even begin to measure it,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “This database will be a boost for business owners looking for possible places to rent, those facing lease negotiations, and countless other possible services, which is why I’m proud the Council voted to pass this bill today. I thank Council Member Rosenthal and Speaker Johnson for their partnership on this legislation.”
“Whether it’s our five Chinatowns, or the hundreds of Caribbean-owned businesses in Flatbush, or the South American restaurants and businesses of Elmhurst – successful small businesses are the backbone of the middle class, particularly for new immigrants. Unfortunately, we have witnessed the loss of far too many small businesses in the last several years, leaving only empty storefronts behind. But thanks to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Speaker Corey Johnson, and the City Council, we have created a package of bills to begin to turn the tide. Our “Storefront Tracker” legislation will require citywide tracking of commercial storefront and 2nd floor spaces for the first time, providing comprehensive data on commercial strips at risk, the location of every vacant storefront, and more. This essential information will be the basis for solutions which help keep small businesses in our communities,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal (Manhattan, District 6).
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are what give our neighborhoods the character we love. Passing legislation to address and help mom-and-pop store owners is vital, and today we are approving several proposals to help businesses by providing much-needed support and information. Currently, the city lacks the data necessary to make informed policy decision and the storefront database bill will tackle this issue heads on. I want to thank Council Member Helen Rosenthal and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer for their leadership and cooperation on this matter,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
Great. The liberals are at it again. They will soon start penalizing owners of vacancy’s.
How is this supposed to help small businesses? Iy just looks like another requirement on property owners
There is no need to pass such a law,just encourage people to announce it on a govt.website etc.
And most importantly stop chasing Way businesses with ridiculous taxes and fines,that’s how you keep businesses in n.y.Not passing useless laws.
Plus fees etc, almost impossible to open small business that will cover rent and bills for simple people. What exactly vacant store will give out? You will ask for penalty and more stores will be available for rent? No one after all rent it for less, it will cover all vacant fees as well… but maybe more people will sell their properties because vacant fee will be too high so again who will buy it? Only rich developers and the rent of the property will be astronomically high….. maybe better to lower the fees and make some free of free… Read more »
The looney liberals will soon track every styrofoam cup left in groceries unsold, plastic straws,outlawed fur dealers,no bags,and of course try to brainwash yeshivas into their immoral lifestyles. It’s time every frum yid over 18 register to vote. Crime is in increasing but the police fear doing anything for fear that f losing their jobs. By not reporting crimes the bumble head mayor can claim there is not much crime. The biggest quacks are running for President. They all want to change the weather. Good luck. One democratic candidate wants to outlaw bris millah. We are dealing with reshoyim. NYC… Read more »
I know that this has been a concern of Borough President Gale Brewer’s for many years. Hooray to BP Brewer and the bill’s co-sponsors for getting this done!