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Political wannabees give retail needed boost

City Council candidate Doug Biviano keeps campaign headquarters on Montague Street in Brooklyn.

From the August issue: When political newcomer Doug Biviano wanted to increase his visibility as a City Council candidate, he looked no further than one of the most prime retail strips in his Brooklyn Heights district: Montague Street.

While in more flush times a new political candidate's war chest might not have had enough cash to pay for such a premier, high-traffic location, Biviano took advantage of the strip's nearly 10 vacant storefronts and the area's dropping retail rents.

And he is not alone.

With the New York City primary elections next month, and the general elections this November, candidates for mayor, City Council and other citywide offices all need space for their campaign headquarters.

And, in this market, a new real estate trend is emerging among them: Even candidates without the deep pockets of Mayor Bloomberg, a self-made billionaire, can secure crucial storefront space.
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