Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.
Such projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.
Some states are trying to make office-to-housing conversions more attractive options for those willing to invest in them. Remedies include waiving development impact fees, introducing tax incentives, and streamlining zoning changes to spur conversions.
With the national office vacancy rate at 17.1%, close to a 30-year high, and much higher in some locations, officials see an opportunity to revitalize downtowns by adding badly needed housing through conversions. That goal is resulting in targeted legislation.
One example: a Democratic legislator in Oregon is proposing a bill that would require local governments to waive most impact fees to reduce the cost of conversions. Impact fees typically go toward water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure. This shows that some lawmakers support office-to-residential conversions strongly enough to sacrifice impact fee income.
Related Stories
| Jan 19, 2020
Pioneer introduces new Lux-Flow showerhead
Pioneer Industries has launched the Pioneer Lux-Flow showerhead.
| Dec 18, 2019
Making contacts that lead to "true partnerships" is key to Student Housing ProCONNECT event for Pfister's Tracey Qualteri
Tracey Qualteri, Pfister Faucets, at Student Housing ProConnect in Denver, November 11 2019
Multifamily Housing | Dec 11, 2019
8 noteworthy multifamily projects to open in late 2019
From a prefab high-rise in Denver to a seaside village in Oxnard, Calif., these projects highlight the innovative multifamily developments to open their doors in late 2019.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 9, 2019
Student Housing ProCONNECT event draws developers, contractors, architects, and building product manufacturers to Denver
2½-day event connects attendees with vendors—and each other.
