IIS sending empty file for Script file requests instead of the file.

Background info:

I'm running windows 10 IIS service on my local machine for web development using VS 2015 Pro. Trying to get to the point of debugging my web application, a MVC asp 4.52 app.

My problem is that when I load my site IIS send empty files for the file requests from the Scripts and Contents directories. I've check that the files exist ( I can see them in VS, and using file explorer, and even within the IIS dashboard in "Content mode").  Below is an example of the problem (from the browser's development window) when I try to load a script file.

Name                                                                                                                  Protocol Method Result Content type Received Time Initiator
http://local-dashboard.aquaticinnovationsresearch.com/Scripts/epoch.min.js HTTP      GET       200                            0 B          72.26 ms document

Any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong, or some configuration that I've missed?