From the NY Post:During a forum last week in Midtown, the Democrats' front-runner argued that chain stores are ruining the fabric of the city and suggested imposing restrictions to keep them from proliferating.
Thompson aides pointed to San Francisco -- which has some of the toughest zoning rules in the United States -- as a possible model.
Under San Francisco's "Formula Business Restrictions," which have been upheld in the courts, individual neighborhoods get a chance to veto the establishment of a chain shop.
Thompson didn't go quite that far.
But he did raise the idea of "retail retention zones" where large retailers would be blocked from renting space held by small mom-and-pop shops.
Thompson also called for taxpayer subsidies to hold down retail rents.
He pointed to a program begun in lower Manhattan after 9/11 that provided property-tax abatements of $2.50 per square foot and exemptions from the commercial-rent tax to businesses that relocated downtown.
That raises the question of whether the city -- facing a $5 billion deficit in fiscal 2011 -- can afford new tax breaks.
Sure we can. Take the tax breaks away from developers of luxury condos and give them to small businesses. Problem solved.
6 comments:
"But he did raise the idea of "retail retention zones" where large retailers would be blocked from renting space held by small mom-and-pop shops."
too little too late for a lot of areas. Mom & Pops are already gone. :(
"Thompson also called for taxpayer subsidies to hold down retail rents."
I like Mom and Pop shops. What i don't like is supporting Mom and Pop out of my pocket, even if i don't shop at Mom and Pop.
I am sick and tired of EVERYTHING coming down to more taxation and government control.
we support the chains now by giving them tax abatements that the small mom and posp never received lets reverse the rolls let the chains pay the full fair and let the mom and pops get a break for once.the city gives the chains teh golden key to the city while mom and pops get screwed every turn nyc sanitation does not give tickets to chain stored because they can not force a chain to pay fot it because they are based in another state mom and pops are free game though
At least 10 years too late!
"He pointed to a program begun in lower Manhattan after 9/11 that provided property-tax abatements of $2.50 per square foot and exemptions from the commercial-rent tax to businesses that relocated downtown."
And just look how well that's turning out!
maspeth mom said
this is just a lot of talk, when they dust clears and the donations are in - he will allow the big box stores to open wherever they like.
Post a Comment