Wasted buildings

I would like to bring something to peoples attention that is along the lines of the town centre article. Over the last few years the local council has bought up land buildings and houses, could these have not been put to better use and at the same time brought in some extra revenue?

I am thinking that the buildings in Davys Yard, where Avis used to be could have been put to some use while the Marina Plan was in development. I think they were Council owned to begin with but maybe wrong. Some of these lockups and workshops have been empty for 5 years and probably will be for another 5. The long term plan has been set out so the date when demolition is due will be known well in advance.

Could they not have been let on short term leases, say 6 months at a time, cheaply for new business start ups? They would then at least given an income off what is derelict land and any occupiers could have been given an option of moving to the docks development. That way a small company could have been developed in advance, given a easy base to start from and also potentially filled some of the new dock units. Does that not make sense?

Same thing goes for places like Arthur St. Instead of homing some homeless people in hotels and the like for £500 a week, why not spend £1000 tarting a house up then renting it out short term. The initial outlay would be recouped within a month, the council could do fixed term lets until the development is due and get an income as well! It is all common sense to me, maybe the councillors are too busy renting out their own second homes instead!