Story perspectives

Downtown LA Businesses Push for Vacant to Vibrant Program

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Downtown Los Angeles businesses seek to replicate San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program to address vacancy.
San Francisco launched the program in 2023, transforming empty storefronts with city grants and corporate philanthropy.
In San Francisco, foot traffic rose and some stores shifted from pop-ups to long-term leases.
Downtown Los Angeles reports vacancy as high as 40%, prompting calls for similar support and safety improvements to attract customers.

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Story summary

Downtown Los Angeles businesses seek to replicate San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program to address vacancy.
San Francisco launched the program in 2023, transforming empty storefronts with city grants and corporate philanthropy.
In San Francisco, foot traffic rose and some stores shifted from pop-ups to long-term leases.
Downtown Los Angeles reports vacancy as high as 40%, prompting calls for similar support and safety improvements to attract customers.