After passing an ordinance restricting residential development on Main Street and some surrounding areas, the Breckenridge Town Council is discussing similar restrictions for office space.
The concern is that offices on Main Street take spaces away from retail businesses, which council members said are the main tourist attraction for downtown.
Town Manager Tim Gagen said real estate offices - by far the most common office use on Main Street - account for about 20 percent of Main Street businesses. Many towns with a similar percentage in retail districts have imposed office development restrictions, he said, because some studies show that at that ratio the prevalence of offices starts to reduce pedestrian draw.
As with the residential ordinance, the council expressed support for a grandfather clause for any office space restriction to protect current businesses.
Recently retired realtor Bob Girvin, who owns an office building on Main Street, said he worries that some spaces will remain vacant if office space is restricted. He'd like to see the Town encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
I'm with you Bob, let's encourage retail instead of discouraging other uses.
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