With Seattle having one of the highest office vacancy rates among major U.S. cities, Mayor Katie Wilson proposed a solution — taxing the empty commercial space to incentivize owners to fill it.
Wilson campaigned on a proposal for a “well-designed vacancy tax or fine” on empty commercial spaces. Business groups have expressed concern that her progressive tax ideas could make the problem worse, not better, potentially accelerating the shift of jobs to suburbs like Bellevue.
KIRO host John Curley agrees with these concerns…