For years, the crumbling Tannery building has sat rotting on a prime Boston block, steps from Back Bay’s busiest thoroughfares. Once home to rooftop drinks and neighborhood staples, it’s now a boarded-up, mold-ridden eyesore—and a public hazard.

The owner has refused to renovate, rent, or sell. And Boston has done nothing.

This isn’t just about one building. Across the city, property speculators are letting buildings rot for tax write-offs, real estate leverage, or spite—while the city struggles with rising rents, small business closures, and an urgent need for housing.

We’re calling on the Boston City Council and Mayor Michelle Wu to pass a “Use It or Lose It” law:

• Tax commercial properties that sit vacant without a certificate of occupancy.
• Make the penalty increase over time.
• And give the city power to reclaim long-abandoned properties for public use—housing, culture, retail, or green space.

This is about accountability, safety, and justice. Boston deserves better than boarded-up buildings and backroom tax games.

Add your name if you believe absentee owners shouldn’t get to rot our city while so many people can’t afford to stay in it.