A New Model for Economic Empowerment

Adaptive reuse of vacant commercial space with both affordable housing and an intentional focus on programming to support entrepreneurs can break the debilitating synergy between these challenges facing local economies.

Adaptive reuse refers to the reuse of a building or structure for a purpose other than its original design. To date, adaptive reuse has primarily been deployed in historic structures with intrinsic value to a community like schools, malls, churches, offices, or other landmarks for which a city or neighborhood is known, but their original use no longer meets the needs of the community. There is remarkable diversity in new uses for adaptive reuse projects, ranging from market rate and affordable housing, space for colleges, universities, and local governments, coworking office space, and mixed-use development.

This Guidebook suggests that adaptive reuse can be deployed in traditional retail plazas typified in suburban development and strip center development.