2008 Woodie Awards
Amendment proposal will help fill uptown vacancies
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: Editorials
This November the citizens of Oxford will decide on whether or not to approve the Charter Amendment and lift a 28-year-old "three dwelling restriction" on properties within the uptown business district. The issue has surfaced because of a surplus of unused retail space along High Street, and the belief by some local property owners that such space could be put to better use by loosening zoning restrictions and allowing property owners greater liberty in developing residential dwellings. In light of the increasing amount of vacancies uptown, The Miami Student believes it to be a reasonable policy to make use of these properties for residential purposes, however, The Student also strongly believes the city must also take steps to ensure business diversity uptown.
Much has changed in commercial terms since the citizens of Oxford voted to limit residences in the Mile Square, as students are now much more mobile and there are a great deal more shopping options available within town. Over the course of the past several years, businesses such as Snyders Hallmark, Pedros, Hemptations and Wendy's have left behind vacant retail space in prime uptown locations. These empty spaces are not merely short term aesthetic blights on the uptown landscape, but have instead remained unoccupied for long periods of time. If they could be filled with residential units, it appears to make sense to use the space according to market demand. Nonetheless, the historical property and architecture committee should oversee new development and ensure that the historic uptown aesthetic is maintained in any new residential development projects.
Oxford must remain wary, however, of the likely decrease in demand for off-campus housing brought about by the implementation of sophomore experience-and supplementary on-campus living requirement- next fall. Despite the existing off-campus housing surplus, the demand for uptown residential locations will always exist. While such an overabundance of housing options could prove advantageous to students by bringing down rent prices and forcing realtors to make their existing properties more marketable to students, it could also be disastrous for some of the new, expensive apartment complexes in less desirable locations.
It is also important that Oxford continues to cultivate favorable business conditions to ensure that a variety of new businesses take hold uptown. This editorial board does not want to see an uptown dominated by apartment buildings. Ultimately, approving the Charter Amendment is not a decision that the citizens of Oxford should take lightly. It will change the city's business environment as well as the look and feel of High Street, and while it appears to be a seemingly reasonable short-term solution to building vacancies, the city must address other deeply rooted economic issues as well.
Much has changed in commercial terms since the citizens of Oxford voted to limit residences in the Mile Square, as students are now much more mobile and there are a great deal more shopping options available within town. Over the course of the past several years, businesses such as Snyders Hallmark, Pedros, Hemptations and Wendy's have left behind vacant retail space in prime uptown locations. These empty spaces are not merely short term aesthetic blights on the uptown landscape, but have instead remained unoccupied for long periods of time. If they could be filled with residential units, it appears to make sense to use the space according to market demand. Nonetheless, the historical property and architecture committee should oversee new development and ensure that the historic uptown aesthetic is maintained in any new residential development projects.
Oxford must remain wary, however, of the likely decrease in demand for off-campus housing brought about by the implementation of sophomore experience-and supplementary on-campus living requirement- next fall. Despite the existing off-campus housing surplus, the demand for uptown residential locations will always exist. While such an overabundance of housing options could prove advantageous to students by bringing down rent prices and forcing realtors to make their existing properties more marketable to students, it could also be disastrous for some of the new, expensive apartment complexes in less desirable locations.
It is also important that Oxford continues to cultivate favorable business conditions to ensure that a variety of new businesses take hold uptown. This editorial board does not want to see an uptown dominated by apartment buildings. Ultimately, approving the Charter Amendment is not a decision that the citizens of Oxford should take lightly. It will change the city's business environment as well as the look and feel of High Street, and while it appears to be a seemingly reasonable short-term solution to building vacancies, the city must address other deeply rooted economic issues as well.
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