| Photo by Avi Verdee on Unsplash
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Assemblymember Steven Raga has introduced new legislation that would give small businesses the first opportunity to purchase the commercial buildings they currently rent — a move aimed at curbing displacement, stabilizing neighborhood corridors, and strengthening long‑standing community enterprises across the state.
Aimed at Preventing Displacement
Under the proposal, property owners looking to sell would be required to notify their small‑business tenants and offer them the first right of refusal before listing the building on the open market. Supporters say the measure could help shield mom‑and‑pop shops from sudden rent hikes, speculative buying, and redevelopment pressures that have driven many local businesses out in recent years.
Raga said the bill responds to concerns raised by merchants who fear losing their storefronts after decades of serving their communities. “Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods,” he said in a statement. “Giving them a fair chance to buy the buildings they helped sustain is a matter of economic justice and community preservation.”
Support From Community and Advocacy Groups
Community organizations, including immigrant‑led and minority‑owned business coalitions, have expressed early support for the measure. Many note that commercial displacement disproportionately affects entrepreneurs of color, including Filipino American and other Asian American business owners who operate family‑run establishments in Queens and across New York City.
Advocates say the bill could help preserve cultural anchors — bakeries, restaurants, service shops, and professional offices — that contribute to the identity and economic vitality of their neighborhoods.
Bill To Be Reviewed in Committee
The bill will be reviewed in committee in the coming weeks. If advanced, it could become part of broader negotiations on small‑business protections during the current legislative session. Raga, who represents one of the most diverse districts in the state, said he plans to work with Senate partners to build momentum for the proposal.
“This is about keeping our communities whole,” Raga said. “When small businesses stay, neighborhoods thrive.”
