It will be interesting to hear what this group comes up with for recommendations. Uses of floor space other than for offices, is a pretty short list.
1. Residential - I think I read somewhere that it has already been concluded there are only about 4 buildings downtown that are suitable/cost effective to convert
2. Warehouse - not practical in high rises and certainly not cost competitive or convenient for transportation
3. Entertainment/Cultural Venues - depending on where the building is located, it really should be near other similar venues and amenities (i.e restaurants/bars). For example, a building that houses exhibits of some kind and is by itself in a corner of the city somewhere, is not likely going to draw people.
4. Retail - there is already a glut of street level space that is empty. Putting retail on upper floors with no other draw, is a recipe for failure.
Other than an incentive laden blitz to attract more businesses to Calgary, what else can be done?