As a local business owner and resident of Northampton, I read with interest your recent series of articles on the health of our downtown.
While absolutely worth exploring as to what is both creating change and the consequences that arrive with it, I would caution calling into question the overall prosperity of our community based on recent vacancies. Many of these business closings can be attributed to the natural cycle of commerce — Faces, La Fiorentina and Viva Fresh Pasta were born of the 20th century and they all enjoyed long, profitable runs. As much as I wish they were still around, to everything its season.
There is, of course, the nagging issue of panhandling and homelessness. Though frustrating on many levels, this is nothing new.
In my view, a significant challenge the city faces is unaccountability from property owners who sit on meaningful sites, creating stagnant black eyes on an otherwise vital downtown. This has been going on for years with no end in sight and it must change.
The city of Cambridge, facing similar concerns, created an ordinance to address just this. It requires any commercial landlord to report to the city any property that has been vacant for more than 12 months. If the property remains vacant, the landlord is accountable to show what they are doing to incentivize leasing.
What this legislation connects is that these spaces are integral to the communal fabric and adverse effects of long-standing vacancies demand action and responsibility. Property owners and the city can and must work together to find mutually beneficial solutions, as it’s in all of our interest.
All said, Northampton has seen a large influx of new, affordable housing alongside a healthy expansion of the retail corridor from Main Street to Pleasant Street. Property values continue to go up (and with that a higher tax base for our schools and neighborhoods). With the connectivity of Amtrak to major hubs and the cannabis industry bringing cash infusions to neighboring areas and our own — these are times of change where our communities are finding their footing in the 21st century.
It’s important to remember the quality of life here is great and complaints come in part because the bar is so high. Change can manifest disorientation, but it’s my belief if we continue to support our local economy we can retain all that has made, and will continue to make, Northampton a special place to live and work.
Christian Hawkins
Northampton