HOLLISTER - The Hollister Downtown Association is trying to attract more people by plastering signs in store fronts.
"We hear quite often 'What's happening to downtown?' and 'There's always those empty buildings,'" said Brenda Weatherly, executive director for the Hollister Downtown Association.
Weatherly said she wants to change the perception that empty buildings means the city is hurting.
That's why the association posted several signs on vacant buildings saying "This building is not empty. It is full of potential" to bring in business and eventually more people.
"It really is a positive, as far as there's potential, and get people to think about maybe what they could put there," she said.
The association said the signs are not reflective of how downtown is doing.
Weatherly said this year, only three businesses (anything from an office space to retail) closed, while eight opened.
"It's the whole glass half empty, half full thing. You choose how you view things and we would like to view it as an opportunity, rather than a negative," she said.
The city is also doing its part to drive in more people.
City Manager Clint Quilter said the City and Council of Governments is attempting to get ownership of San Benito Street transferred to the city from the state to allow more pedestrian-friendly programs and improvements to occur.
The Hollister Downtown Association said it has already gotten positive feedback after putting up the signs.
