Why Real Estate Developers are Transforming Vacant Office Spaces into Trendy Urban Farms
As developers and city officials grapple with what to do with an abundance of vacant office space, particularly in downtown areas, the unexpected harmony between urban farming and commercial real estate office buildings may emerge as a creative, even if temporary, solution
By Warren Seay, Jr.
National Law Review
Apr 19, 2024
Excerpt:
Property owners who are thinking about converting vacant office space into vertical farms must carefully examine the applicable zoning laws. Updated zoning regulations have made it easier in most cities, including DC, to convert office space for residential use, but urban farming has not received the same attention. However, some cities, like Arlington, Virginia and New York City, are streamlining the process for office-to-farm transformations by modifying their zoning laws.
If you’re a property owner interested in these conversions, stay alert to evolving local zoning regulations.
By integrating an urban farm into their property, owners may be eligible to unlock immediate financial benefits at the local level.
DC’s Urban Farm Tax Abatement Program offers up to a 90% property tax abatement (capped at $20,000) to property owners who use their property for urban farming. The tax deduction is based on the percentage of the building exclusively dedicated to urban farming.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and DC government offer grants for urban farmers, providing additional support and stability to the urban farmer tenants and opportunities for property owners to negotiate agreements with the farmers about how these grants and funds will be used.
Recent advancements in technology have significantly reduced operational costs, according to many involved in the sector, helping to overcome the profitability challenges that once affected vertical farming operations. Additionally, urban farm-to-table operations reduce packing and travel costs often associated with vendors stocking restaurants in high-density urban areas.
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