Q&A

The Campaign hears from people with great questions nearly everyday. Those seeking help are often looking for a broad range of examples, resources, and information. So we've begun sending out one of these questions in each issue of our newsletter, compiling the responses we receive from our members, and providing an answer in the subsequent issue. An archive of the questions and answers is below.

If you have a question, or information we can add to of our answers, please contact Mara D'Angelo at mdangelo[at]smartgrowthamerica.org.

March/April 2008: Big Box Vacancies

Q: The constant reinvention of big box stores combined with changing consumer preferences and market strength has led to a number of vacant or abandoned big box buildings. Has your community successfully addressed this issue either by preventing them from becoming vacant or by reusing the buildings? Has your jurisdiction created incentives for quick reuse, required bonding so that funds are available for maintenance should the property become vacant, or mandated properties are marketed immediately?

A: City leaders need to weigh their options and decide how best to protect their neighborhoods from many “ghost boxes” and still encourage development. What’s clear is that policies can be put in place to make reuse easier and raise the quality of development. Montana requires that developers of retail stores between 40,000 and 75,000 square feet submit plans for reusing the structure should the original tenant leave. Oakdale, California and Wauwatosa, Wisconsin require that retail developers set aside money in a performance bond, which is held in escrow and can be used by the city to demolish the structure and maintain the site should it become vacant. For more information about these examples and additional resources, visit newrules.org/retail/vacantbox.html.

The America Planning Association’s Planning Advisory Service (PAS) has answered hundreds of questions regarding this type of development. Much of it is available to PAS subscribers only, but this page - planning.org/pas/bigbox.htm - provides an excellent bibliography. You can also find information about subscribing to the PAS.

For examples of reuse, visit Julia Christensen’s web site, bigboxreuse.com. From charter schools located in abandoned Wal-Marts and K-Marts to a medical center, art school, courthouse, and even a museum, the site tells stories of how communities around the country have used vacant big boxes. Visit the web site to read about these, and many more.