Editorial: Novato must put empty downtown structures to better use
Novato City Hall making productive use of its vacant buildings around downtown is good news for taxpayers and area businesses.
The buildings have stood vacant for too long, creating a drain on the city’s budget at a time when it sorely needs revenue.
The City Council recently agreed to begin negotiations with a local restaurateur to convert two neighboring city-owned houses – 900 and 908 Sherman Ave. – into restaurants.
One of the buildings has been used for storage, while the other has stood vacant.
They have been surplus property for several years, since the city built its new offices across the street.
Now the city is ready to put these properties into productive use – generating revenue for the city and bolstering downtown’s economy.
After seeking bids, the council has picked the restaurant proposal offered by Henry Hautau, who owns Finnegan’s Marin bar and grill in Old Town and the Trailhead Cafe in San Marin.
Under his proposal, one house would be converted into a restaurant and bar. The other would be transformed into a cafe, serving coffee and pastries.
The bottom line is they will be put back into productive use. Having one property standing vacant and the other used for storage does little toward contributing to downtown economic vibrancy.
Hautau says there is a market for both uses. He has estimated that the two businesses could generate $5 million to $7 million in taxable revenue and could create at least 50 jobs. In addition, they would bring more foot traffic and business to downtown.
The city is dealing with budget problems and a staff projection of shortfalls, possibly $2.6 million this year. The revenue from taking these buildings out of mothballs and putting them into active use is not going to fully solve the city’s budget problems, but it will help.
Councilmember Rachel Farac said re-use of the two houses could help “revitalize” downtown.
Fostering “a vibrant downtown” is among the city’s strategic goals.
Concern about other downtown vacancies, other city properties among them, has been raised at previous council meetings.
Hautau touts his proposal as a possible “public-private partnership” that would bring more traffic to downtown and its businesses.
This is not a done deal. The fate of Hautau’s proposal depends on the agreement he strikes with City Hall. The city needs to carefully and clearly pencil out a detailed agreement that is fair and works for both parties and their goals.
If that can be achieved, two long-vacant properties can be used to generate a steady flow of revenue for the city, create local jobs and take the upkeep of the properties off the “expenses” side of the city’s budget.
Both of these buildings have been shuttered for too long and need to be put into productive use. If they can generate revenue, jobs and foot traffic, so much the better. The council appears to be on the verge of making that happen.