Editor's Note: Cityscrapes is a column of opinion and analysis.
Downtown office vacancy rates in big cities have reached unheard-of highs as workers who shifted to working from home during the pandemic stayed.
On F Street in Washington, D.C., just a couple of blocks from the Capital One Arena, home of the city's NBA team, brown paper covered empty storefront windows and"Retail Space Available" signs dotted the landscape. A note on the former home of Pi Pizzeria, whose pies were served at the Obama White House, announced its closure, adding"due to the economic climate and remote work in DC and beyond, it was unsustainable. We did our best.
The ongoing collapse of retail activity in big-city downtowns is the result of both long-term trends and recent, more-radical jolts. The rise of online shopping, growing income disparity and continued suburban expansion have altered the retail landscape most everywhere. That city's DC Downtown Action Plan calls for more than $400 million in public spending to"kickstart the transformation of downtown D.C." And that's in a city that already has — at least for now — a downtown NBA arena.
Perhaps our business leaders are desperate and our public officials are grabbing for a simple answer. It's as if everyone involved somehow forgot that the Spurs once played their games at the Alamodome, and the team's presence couldn't even revitalize the Sunset Station area, let alone activate all of downtown. Following that, the franchise's move to the Frost Bank Center promised — and failed to deliver on — a"transformation" of its East Side environs.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Best Restaurants in San Antonio | San Antonio Express-NewsA guide to San Antonio and the Hill Country's best dining and drinks
Read more »
Car thief shoots at owner during chase before crashing and being caughtSAN ANTONIO -According San Antonio Police Department, the incident
Read more »
Real Estate News | San Antonio Express-NewsSan Antonio and Hill Country real estate news, from the San Antonio Express-News.
Read more »
Woman inspects church to find man inside closet with gun, unknown suspect fleesSAN ANTONIO -According to San Antonio Police Department,
Read more »
Public Theater of San Antonio rebrands as San Pedro Playhouse, announces new seasonThe San Antonio theater company formerly known as The Public Theater has rebranded, returning to its original moniker: the San Pedro Playhouse. The name change pays homage to the theater’s 95-year residency in its San Pedro Springs Park venue, and the legacy that follows such a milestone, according to officials with the organization.
Read more »
NBA Warriors vs Spurs Box Score - Mar 11, 2024Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs NBA game box score for Mar 11, 2024.
Read more »