Preventing 'Ghost Boxes'

"Developers of big-box retail outlets would be required to set aside money for demolition should the buildings be abandoned and have to be razed under a proposed restriction that would be among only a handful like it nationally.

The provision, part of a proposed big-box ordinance, is intended to protect the city, in light of the hundreds of so-called "ghost box" outlets sitting vacant across the country, said Community Development Director Nancy Welch."