Buildings sit empty in Modesto. What is the city doing to fill vacancies?
Several businesses have recently opened their doors in the Modesto region.
Despite ongoing development, empty storefronts still dot Modesto’s commercial corridors.
A Modesto Bee reader recently asked our journalists with Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions about the Modesto region: How many vacant storefronts does Modesto have, and what is the city doing to address this blight?
We asked the city what is being done to tackle the issue.
Here’s what city officials told us:
How many vacant storefronts does Modesto have?
Jessica Hill, Modesto’s director of community and economic development, said the city continues to see a number of vacant storefronts.
The city was not able to give an exact number, but Hill said several well-known buildings are still sitting vacant.
“Vacancies are very fluid,” Hill said. “We have our longstanding ones, such as 1625 McHenry and 2800 Sisk.”
The building at 1625 McHenry Ave. in Modesto once housed a Longs Drugs store, which closed in 2010 after the chain was bought by CVS Pharmacy.
Employees were transferred to the CVS at 1700 McHenry Ave. in Modesto, and the old building sat empty for more than a decade.
U-Haul eventually moved into the former Longs Drugs site — as well as the long-vacant Toys R Us building on Sisk Road — but has since left both locations.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 9, the two properties were empty once again.
The building at 2800 Sisk Road in Modesto was once home to Orchard Supply Hardware, which shut down all of its stores in 2018.
Ace Hardware moved into the Sisk Road space, but that location has since closed as well.
The building was vacant and listed as available as of Tuesday, according to the commercial real estate site LoopNet.
“We all know those key (empty buildings) in Modesto,” Hill said. “Other buildings come and go quickly.”
What makes certain buildings in Modesto sit empty for so long?
Buildings across Modesto remain empty for a variety of reasons, Hill said.
Sometimes, property owners are asking too much, have a price that doesn’t match the market or simply aren’t interested in selling or leasing.
In other cases, the available space isn’t zoned for the type of business that might occupy it.
“Each building is a little bit unique,” Hill said.
What is the city of Modesto doing to fill vacancies?
Once the city learns a building is sitting empty, Hill said, officials can reach out to property owners and offer resources.
Modesto’s vacant building ordinance — Municipal Code Section 9-9.606 — requires owners to register empty buildings with the city Planning Division within 60 days of becoming vacant.
Owners must also submit a maintenance and security plan in addition to providing a 24-hour contact and keeping the property looking maintained.
That includes securing the building, preventing graffiti and clearly posting contact information.
“We’re constantly driving by properties we know are vacant,” Hill said. “We also check on buildings that are for lease to make sure they’re being properly maintained.”
The city also offers two loan programs — one to support small businesses and another to help with storefront facade improvements.
“The city used (American Rescue Plan Action) funding to basically offer a financial resource to businesses that are looking to expand or improve the facade of their current storefront,” Hill said.
The community and economic development team also works to connect vacant buildings with potential tenants.
“They essentially introduce themselves and offer to help with matchmaking different entities or new businesses that want to come to Modesto and help fill their storefronts,” Hill said. “We want to continue to expand on our footprint to the community.”
This approach includes efforts in business retention, attraction and expansion to strengthen Modesto’s commercial landscape.
Which new businesses do Modesto residents want to see?
According to previous reporting from The Bee, these are the businesses Modesto residents are most hoping will come to town:
- Bojangles
- Chick-fil-A
- Cracker Barrel
- Culver’s
- Firehouse Subs
- Hardee’s
- LongHorn Steakhouse
- Nordstrom Rack
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Trader Joe’s, a second location
- Waffle House
- Zaxby’s
Have a question about life in Modesto?
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing me directly at arodriguez@modbee.com, our service journalism desk servicejournalists@modbee.com, or by filling out the form below.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
