DTLA was hollowed out and vacant for much of the 20th Century. . .but the arrival of Staples Center heralded a renaissance. Restaurants, bars, lofts, studios, apartments, even hotels were filling the area with vivaciousness & energy that hadn't been felt in 70 years. But then came COVID, and the wave of crime & homelessness, which still hasn't abated. Today, more than 33% of businesses and residences are vacant and legacy restaurants are closing weekly. So what happened? This is the Demise of Downtown L.A.