Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[joyapple]

Dear friends,

1.(The 20-block business district in Cicero�s neighborhood had fallen into disrepair, and a number of stores had become vacant. )

Does "vacant" refer to that "there is nothing (goods, customers, shop assistants) in the store" or refer to that "there is no customer in the store"?

2.(Cicero and local business owners asked Chicago officials to plant trees, install new streetlights and benches�tangible evidence of the city�s interest in turning the neighborhood around. )

I think "city" refers to "the city council". But what does "tangible evidence of the city�s interest" mean?

A milliion thanks.

[Lorikeet]

If a store is vacant, it is no longer being used. It is just a vacant building, with no goods, customers, shop assistants, etc.

The "city" refers to the city of Chicago, run by the elected officials. Tangible evidence means things you can really see. The officials may say they want to fix up the neighborhood, but until they do something "tangible" like planting trees or installing streetlights, no one will believe them.