Fort Bragg targets long-vacant storefronts with fines for property owners, registry plan

A new effort is underway to crack down on the chronic issue of abandoned commercial spaces in Fort Bragg. At a meeting earlier this month, the City Council considered a resolution to establish fines and penalties for landlords who fail to address blight.

“We’ve seen this across cities in California, including Fort Bragg, with vacant storefronts and buildings, particularly in our central business district and commercial zones,” City Manager Isaac Whippy said. “We’ve been dealing with this for the last 10 to 15 years, and it was time to do something about it.”