Downtown Madison’s business occupancy rates hit pre-pandemic levels

Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) reported that business occupancy rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels downtown, according to WMTV15. While some storefronts near the Capitol remain empty, the BID said that 58 new businesses have opened since the beginning of 2024, while only 20 have closed.

Downtown is more than 90% full when it comes to occupancy rates, BID data showed, and rent has reportedly remained stable over the past few years. The BID is also anticipating more than 6,000 people will move downtown over the next five years as more housing is built in the area...

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RSK: KInd of good news I guess. But if you are a restaurateur, there is almost -0- lunch business, which makes it difficult to make a go of it.