Reviving Ghost Towns: Turning Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Places

Reimagining Derelict Properties for a Brighter Future

Vacant property in Isleton, CA; where 90% of main street buildings remain vacant, this is common in small and large cities alike across the US.

The streets of small towns, often painted as havens of simplicity and charm, are sometimes lined with the quiet specters of abandoned buildings. These derelict properties, gathering dust and memories, speak of a time past, and of opportunities missed. But they also present a challenge: to rejuvenate and reclaim these spaces for the communities they once served.

In small towns across the country, large numbers of properties lie vacant, there's an urgency to this task. Many of these properties were inherited, left to the devices of owners unable or unwilling to maintain them. As a result, towns like these risk becoming the 21st-century's ghost towns — not through some natural catastrophe, but through neglect.

The problem of neglected properties isn't just cosmetic. Vacant buildings can breed crime, decrease property values, and deprive municipalities of potential tax revenue. More significantly, they also represent missed opportunities for economic development and community-building.

So what are some potential solutions?

Vacant Property Tax: By introducing a tax on vacant properties, states and municipalities can encourage owners to actively use or lease their properties, transforming idle spaces into thriving enterprises.

Land Value Tax: Taxing the value of land, rather than the structures on it, encourages the most productive use of central locations. Such a tax would reduce the economic incentive for leaving prime land as parking lots or vacant lots.

Vacant Cafe in Isleton, CA

Revise Adverse Possession Laws: Accelerating state level adverse possession laws can be contentious, but a faster timeline might encourage property maintenance. Current timelines are usually 5-10 year of occupancy and tax payment before ownership is granted, by allowing properties to be claimed within a shorter timeline (such as 1-2 years), owners would be incentivized to actively care for or lease their properties, or at a minimum check in on them every so often.

Eminent Domain and Property Trusts: Cities could employ eminent domain judiciously to acquire neglected properties, refurbish them, and then place them into trusts. Leasing them out to proprietors and/or residents with a long-term transferable lease model (10 to 99 years), this ensures spaces remain active and benefit the community, and will preserve low-cost leases for the future.

Removing Parking Minimums: By eliminating parking minimums, municipalities can encourage property development that caters to pedestrians and public transport, fostering vibrant streetscapes.

Vacant building in Isleton, CA

Flexible Zoning Laws: Allowing properties to seamlessly transition between residential, office, and retail uses means spaces can adapt to the changing needs of the community.

Grants for Modernization: Many old properties need more than just a fresh coat of paint. Offering grants or favorable financing for structural and aesthetic upgrades can make these properties viable once again.

Low-Cost Insurance Resources: For many small-scale retailers, insurance costs can be prohibitive. By facilitating access to affordable insurance, towns can pave the way for a resurgence of local businesses.

Flexible Main Street Zoning: Main streets should be dynamic, adapting to the community's needs. By permitting the conversion of retail spaces into offices or residences (or even hybrid live/work spaces), municipalities can ensure the heart of the town remains alive and pulsating even if the overall demand for shops changes over time.

In the end, these solutions are more than just strategies for urban development. They are pathways to revitalizing the spirit of communities. By rejuvenating derelict properties, we're not just reconstructing buildings; we're building bridges to a vibrant, communal future.