An empty or underutilized building can be a significant drag on a community. Not only does it represent a loss in tax revenue, but it also can become an eyesore that brings down the property values of neighboring homes and businesses.
But there’s good news: with a bit of creativity, you can reuse an empty building and turn it into a community asset. Here’s how.
Use It as a Community Center
One way is to convert the building into a community center. This option can be a great way to bring people together and provide them with much-needed services. A community center can offer a variety of services, including:
- After-school programs
- Senior citizen services
- Job training
- Adult education classes
- Recreation and fitness programs
Rent It Out
Another way to reuse an empty building is to rent it out to local businesses. Renting it out can provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and help revitalize the community.
Some businesses that would be a good fit for an empty building include:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Art galleries
- Performance venues
- Working spaces
Start a Business
If you have a great business idea, an empty building can be the perfect place to start your business. This path can be a great way to revitalize the community and provide much-needed jobs.
You can create a warehouse that sells products online and houses a small team of employees that uses forklifts and pallets. The history of pallet racking helping a business get off the ground is inspiring.
An empty building can also be a gym, a dance studio, or a martial arts dojo. These businesses can be a great way to bring people together and improve the community.
Turn It Into Housing
Another way to reuse an empty building is to turn it into housing. A vacant building can be a great way to provide affordable housing for the community.
Whether you turn the building into apartments, condos, or single-family homes, this can be a great way to improve the community. Just be sure to get the proper permits before you start any work.
These are just a few ideas for how to repurpose an empty building. Don’t let a vacant building bring down your community—put it to good use and make it a community asset.
Try to find an innovative way to put an old, unused building back into production in your town or city. It can be a great way to improve the community while providing much-needed jobs or services.
