MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Empty storefronts stretching from Haslett Village Square to Downtown Okemos have become a concern for business owners in Meridian Township.

"There’s not many other businesses in here ," Famous Taco manager Roberto Delcruz said. "Having many empty spots is hard to bring business here."

With blight in the area, some business owners are hopeful for what is to come.

"I feel it’s temporary, and it will improve very soon," Bottoms Up owner Sherry Fisher said.

For the storefronts that are owned but vacant, the decision is left up to the owner.

"We can’t force an owner to move a business into that store location," Economic Development Coordinator and Associate Planner Ben Motil said.

Motil said the township acts as a facilitator for those vacant storefronts with owners.