Tourism has always been San Francisco’s lifeblood, but since the pandemic, the city has struggled to attract visitors and locals back to the Bay Area.
On Tuesday, the mayor unveiled his latest proposals encouraging everyone to rediscover the former shopping mecca.
“There are so many restaurants and places to visit. Chinatown is right nearby. It’s so diverse and I really love it,” said Kylie Robaina, who was visiting from Dallas.
But the coastal city is still struggling to return to its pre-pandemic self, and that’s clear to visitors.
“It’s quiet. We’re staying at Fisherman’s Wharf and we went for a walk this morning and it was like a ghost town,” said Sandy Richardson, visiting from Australia. “Nothing was open in the morning.”
Since the pandemic began, Mayor London Breed has been vocal about the redevelopment of Union Square, and that continued Tuesday with the Powell Street Turnaround a few blocks away.
She is proposing a bond issue that could be used to fund renovations at Halliday Plaza.
The move is an effort to attract tourists and encourage residents to return to what was once a bustling shopping district.
“Like I said, there’s got to be something for the people who want to work here, live here and come play here,” Breed said.
The bond measure is currently being reviewed by the Board of Supervisors before being placed on the November ballot.
Proposed designs for the renovation project are expected to be released next week.
For local small business owners, it could be a boost to attract more customers.
One business owner said he hopes the positive reports from current visitors will go a long way in changing certain perceptions of the city.
“I have the same conversation all the time with people visiting from all over the world: They’ve been told not to come. They’ve been scared to come here. They’ve taken their jewelry off before they arrived and still have the best time. Isn’t this a beautiful city?” said Lauren Ellis, owner of CK Contemporary Gallery.
