Last month, I introduced myself to the Peekskill community and shared some of my priorities as a candidate for City Council. Today, I want to focus on one pressing concern: the growing number of empty storefronts.
These vacancies hold our city back and limit its potential, undermining both the fabric of our community and the strength of our local economy. Instead of welcoming, vibrant storefronts, we see stretches of blank windows—some papered over—that break the flow of our city streets. When these spaces remain dark for months or even years, they signal neglect, lower property values, and reduce opportunities for neighbors to connect.
The impact multiplies: pride in community fades, sales and jobs are lost, and tax revenue disappears—all while the city continues providing essential services like picking up trash and recycling, snow removal, and improving parks and recreation. Imagine how many more DPW employees, recreation staff, or code enforcement officers could be supported if these storefronts were filled with businesses, art, and community activity.
While the City Council has a role to play, part of the challenge lies with property owners who leave spaces empty while benefiting from tax breaks or other incentives. Tackling this issue will require government action and community engagement working hand in hand with bold, creative, and coordinated solutions.
To start, the city should establish a city-managed registry to catalog vacant properties. This registry could connect owners with prospective tenants, artists, and community groups—perhaps in partnership with the BID and Chamber of Commerce. Collaboration between property owners and the Peekskill Arts Alliance could transform empty spaces into rotating art galleries or exhibits that draw visitors. Even when closed in the evenings, illuminated displays could brighten our streets and showcase local talent.
Other possibilities include small performance venues for poetry and theater or satellite co-working spaces for remote workers seeking a quieter alternative to coffee shops. As an educator, I envision community classrooms where workshops, art or cooking classes, and lectures bring residents together to share skills and ideas—or community centers where young people can safely gather and build friendships. Each of these ideas would breathe life into our city while fostering connection and economic growth.
On the policy side, the Council can pass legislation that favors occupancy rather than rewards vacancy. One approach is an escalating “vacancy tax” on commercial properties that remain empty beyond a certain threshold. Developers adding new storefronts should be required to actively market and fill those spaces rather than leaving them dark. The city can also work within existing zoning restrictions—or evaluate new zoning options—to encourage more flexible uses of underutilized properties, making it easier to convert or temporarily repurpose vacant spaces. Alternatively, the city could offer temporary tax breaks to owners who lease or activate their spaces for public or creative use—flipping the reward from vacancy to vitality.
When elected, I will urge the Council to conduct a vacant-storefront audit, convene stakeholders, and pilot ways to bring scattered empty storefronts to life with creative uses so neighbors can gather and enjoy the city. As I mentioned in my previous letter, Peekskill is at its best when we come together—and I truly believe that. I’m asking for your vote so together we can revitalize these spaces, strengthen our economy, and build a more connected community.
Sincerely,
Charles DiGruccio
Democratic Candidate for Peekskill City Council
