In his latest column, AlSaracevic writes that if 'downtown’s economy collapses, or retracts in a significant, material way, then that only means that The City’s revenues will decline along with it. And that means city services, which we all count on.'
You may have seen the column last month on getting people back into San Francisco’s empty office buildings. Using my typically gentle and compassionate writing style, it went something like this: “San Francisco’s dying, folks. Get off your couch, find a pair of pants and get your ass back downtown.”
Indeed. It is sad. When I was a kid, I used to wander around my hometown of Cleveland with my dad, where many of the buildings were boarded up and you could bowl down Euclid Ave. Some 40 years later, they’re still digging out from an economic collapse that left the urban core destitute, as everyone fled to the suburbs or relocated down south. It was like someone had turned off the light switch. Then forgot how to turn it back on.
What will that mean? Less services, in a city that’s already behind. Less money for police, fire, parks and rec, schools. ... You get the picture. It’s not a complicated equation. But the solution will be diabolical. As one of our readers put it, “Convert it to housing, dance clubs, sex clubs, art galleries, welding shops, repair shops, second-hand shops, dance studios, nonprofit spaces, film studios, sensory deprivation chambers. Really anything with some communal and cultural value. The corporate offices are obsolete.”
Which has our civic leaders worried. A group calling itself Advance SF, led by Giants CEO Larry Baer and consisting of major business interests, is floating a plan to revitalize the downtown core. So is an adjacent group, Downtown SF. They have a fancy “Public Realm Action Plan.” Both groups envision a very different Financial District. But it’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of cooperation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Bernardino airport opens for commercial passengers, with flights to San Francisco and UtahSan Bernardino International Airport for the first time is opening up for commercial passengers, with Breeze Airways offering flights to San Francisco and Provo, Utah.
Read more »
Now downtown San Antonio bar Sojourn will begin serving in former Juniper Tar space on FridayGone are the previous spot’s dark walls and gilded accents, and in their place are warm wood tones as well as rich blue and teal hues. SanAntonio SATX SanAntonioTX SanAntonioFood SanAntonioRestaurants SanAntonioNightlife
Read more »
Excitement grows as Outside Lands returns to San FranciscoThe Bay Area's source for breaking news and live streaming video online. Covering San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose and all of the greater Bay Area.
Read more »
San Francisco man gets five years for possessing gun outside elementary schoolThe defendant says his memory of the incident differs from the prosecution’s account.
Read more »
San Francisco Sheriff's Cadet Says Supervisor Walton Verbally Attacked Him, Used Racial SlurA sheriff’s cadet is speaking out after he says that Supervisor Shamann Walton verbally attacked him, and used a racial slur at a San Francisco City Hall security checkpoint.
Read more »
New law would allow safe drug injection sites in Oakland, San FranciscoSB 57 would allow Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles to open facilities where people can use illicit drugs more safely. Will Newsom sign the controversial bill?
Read more »