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Auburn economic director outlines strategy to address vacant commercial properties in Old Town
Summary
Economic development director Jonathan Reich told the council the city is using nuisance enforcement, a nascent online registry, signage changes and window-art programs to reduce blight and attract tenants to long-vacant commercial storefronts in Old Town and other districts.
Jonathan Reich, Auburn's economic development director, told the City Council on March 23 that the city is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to vacant commercial buildings that combines nuisance enforcement, marketing, signage regulation and creative use of vacant windows.
Reich opened by saying vacant storefronts cause blight and discourage investment: "Vacant commercial properties... they're major sources of blight," and he described broken windows, graffiti and an overabundance of —real estate signs— that make corridors appear empty to visitors. Reich said council direction and a December workshop with property owners led to a program focused on four actions: enforcement under the nuisance ordinance, a property registry for marketing, a signage-ordinance review and a window-art or display program.
On enforcement, Reich said staff coordinated with the Auburn Police Department to send notices to property owners and that staff has issued four abatement notices; three owners are responding and have committed to repairs. "We sent out... notifying them that they're in violation of several nuisance violations," he said, adding that at least one property owner agreed to immediate façade repairs and will meet with staff about next steps and historic-design review.
Reich described the marketing registry as a new page on the city's economic development site that is still in its early stage and intended to pool pocket listings for broad exposure. He also said the city attorney provided draft model language for a signage ordinance to limit the visual clutter of vacancy signs, and the city is exploring temporary window art or historical photographs to animate empty storefronts and encourage pedestrian traffic.
Council members asked for operational details: how many staff hours enforcement consumes, whether repaired façades have produced tenant interest and whether second-floor conversion to residential is being pursued. Reich said enforcement involves ongoing follow-up work and that some owners reported no immediate tenant leads, though staff will continue to assist with tenant outreach.
Why it matters: Council framed the update as an effort to make downtown Auburn and other commercial corridors more attractive to visitors and investors, reduce maintenance burdens and facilitate reuse of underutilized property. Staff will continue conversations with property owners and return with ordinance language or program proposals if codification of signage restrictions is recommended.
