Downtown degradation

I strongly concur with Fred Menard’s assertions in his letter to the editor posted Sunday, Dec. 22.

He expresses concern over the number of boarded-up business store fronts and paper covered windows on Georgia and Marin streets downtown, and the impression it was having on potential new residents/business owners. Some that viewed these conditions were repelled and labeled Vallejo “as a city that has no pride.” Walking or driving through downtown, it’s hard to disagree with Fred’s observations regarding these neglected buildings boarded up with plywood, tarps, graffiti and incomplete construction or refurbishment in limbo for years.

He further asserts that these building owners should be held accountable to bring these buildings up to acceptable standards of appearance. This could be a task for the neighborhood law program, which has been effective in dealing with neglected and decaying residential properties. They work in the City Attorney’s office and could be directed to enforce corrections.

It is also noteworthy that other Bay Area cities dealing with similar issues have considered levying a vacancy tax on such buildings in their business districts. The City of San Francisco has taken this issue further. Such a measure will appear on their November election ballot.

Why not consider this approach here? Like Fred writes, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Take the core of procedures other cities are using and adapt them to our situation here in Vallejo. This will put the property owners in a position where they will have to correct these eyesores, face vacancy taxes, or sell them to other owners who will take remedial action. This is a long festering problem that needs to be addressed if the city is really serious about encouraging new businesses and retaining existing ones ... or is it just rhetoric, as in this case?

The city manager and council members need to hear from the citizens that this situation cannot be allowed to continue unabated. Please contact them by email, letter or phone. Their contact information is provided on the city’s website — www.cityofvallejo.net.

— Dennis Albright/Vallejo