Economics

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[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 2 points 3 years ago (3 children)

I was just in SF a month ago for the Dead & Co shows, and it really is astonishing how empty a lot of storefronts are, especially where we were staying up near North Beach/FW. Also too, the lack of late night food; in all the years I've been going to SF, you could always count on a noodle bar in Chinatown at 12-1a to be open, but not anymore. Not really anything except fast food. COVID wrecked that town. I've also never seen so few homeless people walking around, but I didn't head over to Oakland.

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[–] zabadoh@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 years ago

It's not just San Francisco.

Vancouver BC and nearby towns have a similar problem, and are working towards their own empty storefront tax.

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/dan-fumano-metro-municipalities-to-consider-taxing-vacant-commercial-sites

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[–] vivadanang@lemm.ee 3 points 3 years ago (1 child)

they could repurpose those buildings (difficult but possible) to dwellings, which would revitalize the downtown businesses - but no, they'll hold out desperately for a return to office that, if it was going to happen, would have happened already.

Meanwhile, there ain't enough housing. Everyone pays more and the core rots.

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[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 2 points 3 years ago

The storefronts being talked about are already zoned mixed use, it's really just the first floor street side storefronts that are barren, with residential apartments 2nd floor on up.

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[–] zabadoh@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 years ago

p.s. You gotta know where the late night eateries are.

Here's a decent list https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-late-night-food-drinks-restaurants-san-francisco