New Rochelle creates mandatory vacant storefront registry
Officials say the initiative is part of a greater effort to revitalize their downtown.
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Residents in New Rochelle say they're starting to notice the number of empty storefronts in their city.
"I feel like it is too many," resident Cristian Flores says.
"This tower, this tower, there's one right next to me," resident Troy Williams says.
To better understand the problem, the city adopted an ordinance to create its first vacant storefront registry.
"This program requires property owners with vacant storefronts to register these spaces via a simple online form,” said Jorge Ventura, New Rochelle's deputy commissioner of economic development. “First year, there's no fee to register. Subsequent year, there's a fee."
Officials say the initiative is part of a greater effort to revitalize their downtown.
"In the downtown, 19% of storefronts are vacant," Ventura says. "The registry gives us a proactive way to gather key insights directly from property owners and build partnership with them that help us understand the root cause of these vacancies."
Officials say the tool will also help them fill the spaces quicker.
Chyrisse Crisp, the co-owner of Krave To Go, says existing businesses could benefit if the program works.
"More businesses means more foot traffic which means more business for me," Crisp says.
Officials are holding an informational session about this registry on Wednesday. To learn more about the program, click here.
