Dying commercial districts

In San Francisco, Union Street, 24th St. (Noe Valley) and the central part of Market Street are in serious trouble with stores closed, closing and worse to come. (The photo is "For Rent" on Union St.)

Rather than complain about how San Francisco and neighborhood merchants created this problem and failed to solve it I will discuss positive options.

What can a city do in such an instance?

First and foremost, invited in national retailers that automatically attract massive foot traffic.  Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, In/Out Burger, Body Shop (the original Body Shop was on Union St.), Gap, Baby Gap (founded in S.F) Patek-Philip, L&M and Lowes.  Invite several or all of these. Find out what these retailers need to enter your market in the select location and make the regulatory changes. 

Second add to the list appealing tourist retail destinations such as a Disney shop, a high end food court, with BofA, Wells and Citi ATMs. Ask each retailer and bank what they need to move to the chosen location and make the regulatory changes.

Not so hard, if you understand commerce.  When you have brought in foot traffic you will get all the supplemental small local and boutique businesses anyone could wish for.