Downtown Rising: State Center move into central business district provides lifeline for offices

The migration of 12 public agencies from State Center to the central business district is one of the few promising moves awaiting a downtown struggling with double-digit vacancy rates and old office towers surrounded by glitzy, waterfront enclaves. The prospect of leasing 1 million square feet of office space for 3,300 state workers has led to a blast of optimism among landlords who are vying for the deals in a sweepstakes-like atmosphere.