Far from the deadly days of early spring, Gotham has turned a corner in the battle against Covid-19. In fact, New York state has reported an infection rate below 1% for more than a month.
But a socially distant stroll through Grand Central Terminal or along Midtown's avenues shows that few workers have actually returned to the city.
Developers have told Crain's that the occupancy rate in their buildings has stubbornly remained in the single digits. They also say employers and workers tell them they don't feel entirely comfortable returning to the office towers that until six months ago they deemed essential to work in for their businesses to survive. A Manhattan office address has spawned fortunes for centuries, and until Covid hit, it seemed like nothing could dim the luster of having one.
Developers and business owners have certainly tried to make their office towers desirable again. Many landlords have embraced the latest ventilation technology. Architects and interior designers say they are busy helping businesses reconfigure their offices to make them safer.
Although many workers still may not feel comfortable returning to the office, it's not just the office that they fear. They are just as afraid of what could happen while traveling to and from their workplace—from taking the subway to work to walking on crowded streets. They also have to make sure they are not distracted by the ever-changing plans about city schools reopening.
In order for businesses to persuade workers that it's safe to return to work, public officials must step up and give businesses the building blocks to restore the confidence they need to get employees back.
Lifting the ban on indoor dining as of Sept. 30 was a good first step last week. People who work in the city are used to dining out in restaurants, not only for sustenance but for the opportunity to network. In many cases, it's where deals get done. Having that option, even within the limits outlined by the state, will go a long way toward making workers feel that the city is getting back to normal.
But there is much more to be done. A letter sent by business leaders to Mayor Bill de Blasio last week complained of a deteriorating quality of life in the city, including trash piling up and a sharp spike in violent crime.
The MTA is also going to have to convince commuters that social distancing and the wearing of masks are going to be strictly enforced on the subway.
City officials should also offer whatever support they can to public schools. Many working parents would love to return to the office. But they can't without more clarity about whether or when their children will return to school.
The city could face another rise in Covid cases in the fall, but public officials can do more in the meantime to help workers start feeling safe about returning to work before there is a widely available vaccine.
Without these intermediary steps, the revitalization of New York will take far longer than anyone can imagine.
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September 14, 2020 at 06:15PM
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Give business the building blocks to bring workers back to the city - Crain's New York Business
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