The city is bankrupt and cannot afford to demolish the empty houses and buildings in its environs. So it sits.
The old Packard auto showroom in Oakland, CA is now a live/work space:
http://packardloftsinoakland.com
Packard did build great cars, though.
Someday, God willing, I will own a Packard. :)
Santa Monica CA had a lovely old building that was a Packard showroom. My grandparents drove Packards. What a gorgeous car.