Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedestrian
As for rents, the general argument is the formula folks can afford higher rents than one-of-a-kinds, even higher end one-of-a-kinds. It's the fact that they can afford such rents and their willingness to pay them drives up overall rents to levels one-of-a-kinds can't afford that is the justification for a legal ban.
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It seems to me that the answer is analogous to the answer in residential - loosen zoning to allow for more new-construction commercial nearby. This will come at a premium, and the chains will move there. At the same time this will keep legacy commercial structures, which will be smaller, at lower prices.
Maybe it should be combined with historical preservation, to ensure that developers do not simply buy out three storefronts with 16-foot frontages, demolish them, and make a new more chain-friendly retail space. But that's about it.