From the Yale Daily News: Project Storefronts, a pilot program of New Haven’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Economic Development Corporation, has filled empty storefronts with four arts-related businesses (selected from a pool of 50 applicants), stimulating economic development in an economically depressed neighborhood. The vacant space was made available for three months at no cost to the selected artists and organizations.
Sounds like a logical project. Other cities should look at it as a potential model for/component of their revitalization efforts.