Currently, more than 50% of all the ground floor space in the square is sitting empty.

But a new law taking effect next year may change that by relaxing restrictions on the types of businesses the Port of Oakland can lease to.

"Current restrictions limit the leasing of property at Jack London Square, and so we can't have things like a grocery store, or a cafe," said the law's author, State Sen. Jesse Arreguin.

The relaxation of the zoning rules is scheduled to last for 40 years.

And Arreguin, says he's hopeful it'll help revitalize not just Jack London Square but also the city as a whole.

"The status quo is not working, and we need to remove obstacles to opening businesses, to building housing to getting things done that are so important for our state," said Arreguin.

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