5 ms·
> In over 8 years, that space and sat empty in the downtown area. Empty properties that once had a grocery store in them are often that way because the propert
by stormbrew 4y ago
> In over 8 years, that space and sat empty in the downtown area.
Empty properties that once had a grocery store in them are often that way because the property is under a restrictive covenant preventing any use as a grocery store for some absurdly long period of time (decades, usually)[1]. It's a weirdly unique thing about grocery stores, and can be really harmful to communities where it's just not practical to build new grocery store buildings (and grocery store buildings don't always translate well to other kinds of retail).
It's a common enough problem that it's banned in some places[2].
[1] an example: https://www.marketplace.org/2018/01/12/when-grocery-stores-close-little-legal-phrase-can-prevent-new-ones-opening/ https://www.marketplace.org/2018/01/12/when-grocery-stores-c...
[2] eg. DC: https://code.dccouncil.us/us/dc/council/laws/22-138 https://code.dccouncil.us/us/dc/council/laws/22-138
- CoastalCoder 4y agoSeems like a legit case for eminent domain.
- dreamcompiler 4y agoExactly. The city should buy the land under ED and then rent out the space preferentially to another grocery store.
- dragonwriter 4y ago> The city should buy the land under ED and then rent out the space preferentially to another grocery store. As I understand it, there is mixed case law on whether and when restrictive covenants constitute property interests of the beneficiaries which must be separately compensated in ED condemnation.
- sroussey 4y agoBanks do this as well.
- ajmurmann 4y agoTogether with agreements that include gag orders, this is an example of an agreement between two parties that harms society outside the two parties that are making the agreement and thus should not be legal.