Vacancy across Oakland’s crop of downtown office high-rises was at an all-time high of 30.2% late last year. Meanwhile, several storefronts of varying sizes in the city’s business district have been empty for years. 

The lack of activity in the streets during weekday business hours is putting pressure on the city’s merchants, and is compounded by worsening perceptions around safety.

For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Radio Insider Phil Matier.