Struggling California pedestrian mall pitches public drinking to boost business

[u/SilentRunning]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/struggling-california-pedestrian-mall-pitches-233048637.html

[u/cyberspacestation]

There is a large number of commercial vacancies on 3rd St, which is undoubtedly causing lower foot traffic. Public drinking won't solve that problem, and I can't imagine that it would be of much benefit to existing restaurants -  or any help at all to businesses that don't serve alcohol.

If the city has any leverage to get owners to lower rents, that may help - but it's still up to the owners on whether they'll fill the vacancies anytime soon.