That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Law Department, Community Development Department and any other appropriate City departments regarding the feasibility of requiring property owners to give the City written notice when a storefront becomes vacant, including plans for finding a new tenant and keeping the premises tidy and in compliance with all applicable codes to mitigate any negative effects or safety concerns on the neighborhood

City of Cambridge O-6 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL April 2, 2018 COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX COUNCILLOR MALLON WHEREAS: Vacant or unoccupied first floor retail is detrimental to the City’s goals of supporting thriving retail districts and visibly inhibits the feeling of an activated streetscape; and WHEREAS: Storefronts left in disarray have a negative impact on the neighborhood, other businesses in the area, and on the sidewalk/public space in front of the vacant or unoccupied property; and WHEREAS: Various business associations and members of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee are in agreement that addressing the outward appearance of vacant and/or unoccupied storefronts is a necessary step towards activating our streets and mitigating the negative impact of properties left empty; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Law Department, Community Development Department and any other appropriate City departments regarding the feasibility of requiring property owners to give the City written notice when a storefront becomes vacant, including plans for finding a new tenant and keeping the premises tidy and in compliance with all applicable codes to mitigate any negative effects or safety concerns on the neighborhood; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Economic Development and University Relations Committee in a timely manner with recommendations.