Strengthening Economic Vitality

By Marc Levine

San Rafael residents need to be aware that some of San Rafael's distinctive retail businesses are now being replaced by nail salons, massage parlors and head shops. Quality must be supported in San Rafael, and that means cultivating businesses that are resident-serving and are unique enough to attract consumers from nearby areas to make their purchases here in San Rafael.

So what do our local retailers need in order to help stay in business? There may not be much we can do about Home Depot shuttering Yard Birds from thousands of miles away, but can we assist landlords and tenants to negotiate to help stores stay open here?

In order to strengthen San Rafael's long term economic vitality, I favor a City Council working with the City Manager and Planning Commission to take a more proactive role in promoting local businesses. What more could we do to attract Green Entrepreneurs and Businesses to San Rafael, helping to fill the new professional center?

Internally, we should consider creative and technological ways to reduce administrative hassle for merchants, and perhaps some innovative partnerships to explore within our own city limits. We have to be proactive to stay ahead of the curve.