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g11235p t1_isx1728 wrote

Forge beneficial relationships between downtown developers and people who want to open retail shops. There’s a bunch of empty storefronts because developers are buying up the buildings to put in apartments, but the businesses that were there before won’t be able to pay rents on buildings like that. It would be nice if someone could try to help with that somehow

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iGROWyourBiz2 OP t1_isyxm94 wrote

Are the apartments actually going in? Are people able to afford them? Are they in demand or was it a boom and now empty no matter what?

Something similar happened in Tampa Bay Florida. The housing book occurred and everyone wanted to be on there beach. So from Tierra Verde/ft DeSoto to Indian rocks beach north (the entire county up the gulf of Mexico) began to change.

Whereas, there were hotels, apartments, condos, retail shops all up and down the beachfront.

The comm hit and developers paid ridiculous prices for every. Single. thing.

They converted everything into condos. The first ones sold out, so more developers got them.

They overbuilt and what was once a great place to stroll the beach became something less exciting.

The problem was, many condos say empty. I left in 2014, not sure if it has fully bounced back yet.

But I get what you are saying.

I have some ideas, but of course, the plans and openness of the developers will determine what's possible.

Have local businesses gotten together to discuss this issue?

That would be the first step. Money talks. If they are willing to make lease commitments, there are options that is a win for everyone.

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g11235p t1_isz66hg wrote

As far as I know, they’re buying the properties because of tax incentives because it’s kind of a risky area for development (historically, I guess?). They put in place a big improvement plan for downtown in 2008, and then added two or three more big redevelopment schemes in basically the same area since the. There’s an entity called Newark Downtown District that is created by statute, funded by businesses, and supposed to look out for the neighborhood. They clean up lots of trash and host farmer’s markets. But when I tried to talk to them about this, it was obvious there’s no one who is in charge of talking to the public or listening to our views

Regarding affordability, there will be a certain number of units in each building designated for people who make something like 60% of median income. I don’t see how that helps because it’s still expensive

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iGROWyourBiz2 OP t1_iszcgl8 wrote

I think it takes about twenty years to see such areas begin to see development traction. Then another ten to get popping. So if this started in 2008, it might be on par with the norm.

Doesn't mean there are not opportunities for catalysts.

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