SF officials, business owners disagree on Union Square revitalization plan

Not everyone agrees the multi-million dollar Powell Street Promenade Refresh is the way to go when it comes to revitalizing San Francisco. For some, this is a question of where to spend money and what will make the greatest difference in changing San Francisco's reputation. abc7ne.ws/3wHXjMI
#sanfrancisco #unionsquare #business #tourism #abc7news

[@Lp0tr33]

How delusional can people be to think that all Union Square needs is new planters.

[@chualarbill]

At least the junkies have a new place to poop?

[@xycid]

no one said that's the only thing it needs. But, the people installing new planters are doing far more than typing wise-ass comments on KZbin.

[@Lp0tr33]

@@xycid Right in the beginning, they said the plan is for new planters. And even before that London Breed's plan to revitalize Powell Street was to spend $6 million on widening the sidewalks. Neither address the issue why people don't want to go there, especially at night.

[@xycid]

@@Lp0tr33and what have you done for the city? have you installed a planter, have you cleaned the streets, have you helped the homeless, have you shopped in the Union Square lately? it's too easy to say "not my problem". Make it YOUR problem. if you care enough for SF, do something. Read my post above. It's quite clear that the city leadership make a ton of mistakes and not qualified, and needs to be replaced. But... that shouldn't prevent you and me from beautifying and improving the city. And adding planters is one tiny step in that. It won't solve ALL of the problems, but it will show that you and I *care*. I built and installed 13 planters in the city, watered them, planted several thousand flowers. I didn't get paid a penny by the city or anyone, but yet, I am pretty happy looking at them and others are happy too.

[@Lp0tr33]

@@xycid I work in the city for the last 8 years. I continue to support some of the local restaurants. I was a frequent Patron of the recently closed Lee's and Walgreens off Sacramento and even both the Lee's and Walgreens that closed a year before. But I don't live in the city and the way it is now, it's the last place I want to go.

[@gnryushi]

That lady got her priorities all wrong. She's just trying to score political points. Safety is the FOUNDATION of any society and if you can't fix that in SF none of these initiatives are going to work.

[@YinYang88888]

she’s in denial or probably lacks common sense?

[@msriram9884]

They need to take a page from the revitalization of Times Square. Crack down on all crime and disruptive behavior. If it feels safe, people will return businesses will return.

[@michaelwells7348]

True ... but one little Bitty problem ~ when they did Times Square ~ Brick & mortar was still in full swing. Covid put the downfall of physical stores on the fast track to Extinction

[@HeyUncleA]

What are you talking about?! Haven’t you heard the news… there’s hardly any crime or homeless in sf. It never smells like pee; and no one has ever seen human poo on the street. London breed has it under control and you better not say anything; or else. 🥊🔫

[@nicholasthompson7690]

That begins with state law and city lawmakers as well

[@User-54631]

Painting a bad running car doesn’t change how the car runs.

[@jobunaga4178]

this describes the situation so well. a cancer patient needs chemo, not plastic surgery.

[@hotspot930]

Exactly! Sugar coating the true problem will not help the situation.

[@theouroboros7470]

It's not the property. ITS THE PEOPLE.

[@danmacarthur8944]

Exactly, the worse kinds of adults and kids are out of control and nothings stopping them from acting out even more. It's their way of enjoyment and the state allows it with impunity.

[@markpinera415]

We need public safety first. Not a remodel. Make it safe or we will NOT come

[@lydiawrench6705]

It’s totally safe, what are you so scared of? I was just in Union Square last week, it was clean, and I didn’t feel threatened at all. Shopping is done and over, people shop online now, it’s cheaper. Malls are closing all over the country, and Macy’s merchandise declined all on its own years ago. They need to figure something else out for this area. If they put in housing, they could also have restaurants, cafes & entertainment venues.

[@isaacthomson4246]

Crack down on drug distribution and usage, recriminalize theft, spend money on expanding incarceration, increase funding of police, decrease funding of safe-injection sites, make public transit safe, house the homeless, and clean the streets.

[@GKP999]

I say hang the drug dealers! No parole! Hang them all as soon as possible!

[@mrsleep0000]

Nah, that's common sense and would work, they won't be doing that.

[@trigganometry168]

Keep the area clean and safe it’s not that hard to figure out. I use to shop here frequently and eat at all the restaurants back in the late 90’s. It’s such a shame what happened here now I drive 40ish extra miles to Valley fair mall.

[@hughjanous95128]

We got 3 other malls in SJ and 1 in Milpitas.

[@Dukers2300]

The grift continues

[@alihakimi1707]

Easy fix: don’t allow drugs and camping, clean feces immediately, and agree to never shut down the city again & apologizing for failed policies during COVID.

[@donlee.4308]

I can see the laws and cleaning feces, but apologizing is not an option for progressives/democrats/left.

[@Stealther]

Make it safe, clean, and accessible. It really is that simple.

[@GKP999]

This is part of the problem. There is never agreement on what to do in SF. The discussions go on forever and nothing gets done. Just look at the million dollar toilet in Noe Valley. I agree with the second hotel person. We need to be clear about our priorities. Cleanliness and safety before beautification! Otherwise, we are again throwing money away like so often it happens in SF.

[@lyndsay4153]

As I was reading your response, I noticed that we all seem to be in agreement in the comments about what needs to be done first and foremost. Why can't our city leaders get it together or heed the requests of the local tax paying residents? Freaking planter boxes. Jeez. Cuz THAT's going to fix Union Square.😒

[@GKP999]

@@lyndsay4153 Maybe what we need is to get organized to refuse to pay taxes until the politicians do what we want.

[@GoldenBlissWithin]

City leaders still playing pretend. Wasting time and a fortune on slight of hand tricks and a shiny veneer over the root issues, just to lure business. Frustrating and embarrassing.

[@Jeff-sp7bg]

Polishing a turd

[@Tech-Sam]

Enough is enough. We’ve reached a point as a society where we no longer tolerate the things we’ve tolerated for 50+ years on the streets.

[@dtocksdtocks]

Planter boxes with green plants doesn’t do ANYTHING about crime, homeless people or open drug use. This won’t do anything.

[@marychan4625]

Steve Rizzo has a point

[@Calinotch06]

Thank you Steve Rizzo for pointing out what is supposed to be obvious. They think throwing money at frivolous things is going to solve the real problem.

[@civilizeddiva]

3:03-3:09: I stopped at a local retail store yesterday in Jack London Square. While in the restroom, I observed someone had strewn toilet paper on the floor. I picked up a small handful of tissue and removed the debris from the floor. Not my job. I don't get paid to clean up after irresponsible adults, but in that moment, I just appreciated the resource and spent one whole minute of my life leaving that room a little nicer for the next client.

[@chualarbill]

I hope you washed your hands REALLY well!

[@Tangent360]

Business owners: We're leaving because our employees aren't safe with the constant robberies and customers are staying away from the open drug use, human feces, vandalism, homeless people everywhere, and rampant car break-ins Union Square Alliance: Relax, we're installing new planters! That's a pretty epic level of delusion.

[@MrJLee-ri3so]

The rights of criminals n homeless are paramount. F the right rights of law abiding citizens, taxpayers, small businesses n big corp retailers. Planting trees will not bring back tourism, lady, ru dreaing….

[@Urbanhandyman]

Step 1: Remove London Breed Step 2: Remove London Breed Step 3: Remove London Breed

[@cavepotato7630]

Remove the supervisors and judges also

[@San_Francisco_Downtown_Watcher]

Crime , homeless, and drug are the main issues. If you want to know why Westfield and close, go there and see. 10 teenagers drop water bottle from the 3rd floor, and mob shoppers on Sunday. Police don't care. Why do we want to suffer this? Wish all businesses close in downtown, so that no one can get hurt.

[@stacychang44]

Do something about homelessness and organized thieves. Safety should be the top priority!

[@MrJSpicoli]

SF needs its own Giuliani. He saved NY

[@gnaflethegarthok3074]

Steve Rizzo is 100% right

[@sporttourersss]

The trash that was tossed on the ground next to the trash can pretty much says it all.

[@cvcfoundation8413]

Meeting is not open to the public, but uses public funds.

[@niosanfrancisco]

Retail returns after LONDON departs.

[@michaelwells7348]

No ... Brick and Mortar began dying when Covid Hit. People figured out they could just get stuff delivered. Stores run on a margin .. lose 30% of your customers & you are doomed ~ 15% and it may take 3 years but ultimately you are still doomed.... the world changes. Remember back in the day when Retail moved from Main st to Mall of America ??

[@donlee.4308]

retailers will be accuse of being “racist” (sarcasm).

[@johnf8877]

London Breed is falling down, falling down, falling down…………

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

First step……reduce crime with aggressive law enforcement….second step….draw a hard line on homelessness…..after that is addressed then spend money to revitalize

[@iadorenewyork1]

The aluminum parklets are just fine. Don’t waste money! Improving the quality of life is a problem, as well as cleanliness.

[@Xgenerati]

I moved to SF in 2016 and left in 2019. I feel incredibly grateful that I lived there when the city truly thrived. I'll return as soon as it's great again.

[@DingoAteMeBaby]

TBH the city has gotten way too lenient. Look either reduce the income inequality or be strongarm.. Now punks come from two bridges away just to break glass, graffiti and liter, to express their frustration with this inequality.

[@thesadboxman]

It's so obvious. Ask any customer what will make them come back. It's not better shopping or amenities. It's simply safety and cleanliness. Any other work is fluffery.

[@user-tr8fs7lm8r]

They just put those parklets in! Why would they take them out?

[@DingoAteMeBaby]

cause someone needs a payday

[@ihopethiscommentisntabusiv4670]

Yes! They finally figured out the root of all of the city's problems! The planters! Well done officials

[@Lora-G]

MARKET STREET HAS BEEN AN EYESORE FOR DECADES!!! How about clean up the dam' addicts and gangs😢

[@mckinseyand2022]

Homeless town

[@KSsoundguy]

That’s most likely the only trash he picked up

[@JDHorn]

Redecorating won’t get me back. Dealing with the crime will.

[@isaacsac5]

This needs to happen in other shopping corridors in the city too. Union Square is not the only shopping corridor in the city.

[@MNP67]

Only SF would think a remodel would solve violent crime, drug use, homeless, taxes. All hail the echo chamber! Left there decades ago.

[@RobbieRobski]

You'll make it more inviting by actually arresting and prosecuting shop lifters and dealing with druggies/transients.

[@weeziepuff13]

Lipstick on a pig. I work right by there and it's the kind of gross that a new planter won't fix.

[@ted70281]

The last time I went to San Francisco it made me sick will never go back.

[@romulus_]

at 1:50, they used acid to etch the tag into the glass. it can be sanded down. I like the hotel g, hope they reopen the little hidden bar they had in there.

[@cabracove]

Make it clean, safe and provide affordable parking. It has/is none of those now. New shrubs and paint is not gonna do it.

[@HeyUncleA]

I think a large half way house would be fitting.🧐

[@zzhou1557]

Just more expensive cosmetic fixes.

[@silvermica]

0:24 - Where to spend money? That's easy. Pay off my mortgage - if you pay off my mortgage I promise to visit SF every day.

[@Jdigger4130]

wow... one guy tells truth, one guy picks up some garbage and the lady says we should buy new curbs... LADY!!!! RUN THE JUNKIES OFF AND PEOPLE WILL COME W THEIR FAMILES!!!!! THEY BUY THINGS!!!

[@KSsoundguy]

Need to clean up crime first. Your towns turning to crap

[@undiscloseduser2004]

There is an easy solution, give them 2 years of rent free space and highly eliminate their tax duties. Also, addiction and drugs need to be addressed, that is also huge.

[@Ren-ri5cl]

1:11 i miss when the music store 💿 Rasputin was there at that corner, with 3 floors of awesomeness, and to the left was Blondie's Pizza that is sooo good🍕

[@Ren-ri5cl]

i know blondies is still there somewhere in sf, and Berkeley

[@tycchock1]

The city governemnt excels in finding ways to spend money but fails miserably in implementing common sense solutions.

[@nicholasthompson7690]

The city needs a new Mayor and city council

[@hkraytai]

Parking structures in the area will help.

[@MsErin-du5eg]

How about making the park into an actual park again? It's just concrete now. It's ugly to look at. Anyway, it's not just the aesthetics, there's a serious homeless and crime problem and you guys just ignore it.

[@buddhistpunksf]

1. Fired Breed and the Board of Supervisors 2. Programs that better serve taxpaying citizens. 3. no sales tax for under $100 in store purchase to drive people back into stores.

[@csmlouis]

If that means for every $1 spent, I will get 35c kickback, I will wholeheartedly support the Union Rearmament Plan...Revitalization Plan.

[@propblast82nd]

They should have another BLM protest

[@Anonymous-pm7jf]

02:29 Marisa Rodriguez. This is a master class of speaking a load of crap. Listen closely as she concludes with San Francisco is a thriving city. Someone tell this sound board San Fran is not "thriving." Crime is rampant, homelessness is rampant, businesses are leaving the city, and THERE ARE PEOPLE DEFECATING ON THE SIDEWALKS.

[@rhonnieminnie]

Hummm...no one said lower the rents so businesses can operate with a profit...the stores are closed bc the owners can't afford it. The more closed stores, the more attractive the area is for addicts and homeless. Plus the people working on part time retail wages can't afford the $2500/month rent for a sudio in the adjacent neighborhoods. But yeah...change the new parklets 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@raziswickid]

SF avoiding the tough, honest problems for short term self-grandizing projects that won't work - yet again.

[@freewifi510]

I stand behind hotel G GM and his comments, the other 2 are just politicians

[@aldoogie]

Marisa Rodriguez , is a CEO benefiting from fighting a problem that has no real strategy for a sustainable solution. Everything she said is complete virtue signaling nonsense.

[@JC-kb2qg]

Whenever I have to fly into the area for work I stay in San Mateo or outside of the city. I used to stay in the city but I don’t feel all that safe anymore.

[@mgtl9639]

how are they so stupid to not see the problem is the crime and high taxes. no the art. WTF

[@borge2014]

Waste of money. Why is SF Union Square Alliance spending tax dollars in private meetings decisions without asking the public. I id get a survey from them, all was a waste, I said no. So why are they allowed to do this... I wonder if internal corruption persists and special interests on who gets the money is also a driver. So wasteful.

[@user-nx8jh9wt8i]

I’ve met some of those people. It’s a ❄️ fest to the public where you can’t say anything bad about SF..

[@user-rh8fl8qz2z]

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. My family and i used to visit all the time. NO MORE. EVER.

[@CaesarZheng]

come on, use that budget on police department plz

[@juanmontoya6622]

Safety, cleanliness, hospitality affordability to an eventual Premium, new attractions, global retailers and niche global retailers ( through preferential treatments). Otherwise, virtue signaling solutions such as band-aids on gaping exit wounds only dress up the problem instead of addressing it. Stores will continue to be shuttered and others like Macy's will be outta here.

[@rodneynoriel1528]

They want to spend money on Union Square, because their relatives and/or their close friends and donors will get the contracts. Never let a crisis go to waste, when you can spend and launder it back to yourself.

[@Lora-G]

Make it SAFE FIRST!

[@michaelsiengo1]

I was just down there a month ago and it was absolutely the most disgusting place I have ever been and I have been to Mexico

[@R0M8N]

Waste of money

[@xycid]

SF leadership needs to be replaced. Specific departments that failed us: DPW, SFPD, Permits, SF Travel (already got replaced), DA (already got replaced). Having said that, we, as SF citizens, shouldn't sit on our hands and wait for the leadership to change, and point fingers at them while doing nothing. That was the point of the second hotel CEO who picked up trash. What can we do? Well, we have to step up where our city leadership is failing: - Clean up streets (DPW), - Ensure safety (SFPD), - make our tourists feel welcomed and break the narrative about SF (SF Travel) - beautify them All 3 people in the interview are **doing something** for the city. Their ideas are not mutually exclusive. Yes, the city government should **do their jobs** (and if they don't, fire them). Yes, we as SF citizens should continue beautifying. (I'm a storefront owner on Market St., and yes, I do all 4 things I mentioned daily)

[@leunam3434]

The city of San Francisco should buy the Macys property and build section 8 housing for the migrants from Venezuela in line with the sanctuary policy of the city.

[@poodlescone9700]

Why buy it? Just seize it using whatever means their imaginations can come up with.

[@operavin]

🤣

[@atumra7285]

And they started from closing all the stores. Lol

[@amineantion]

no one cares about how it looks when safety is compromised

[@johnf8877]

You are already paying for a police department.

[@chenglau5210]

Replace that lady. She is not qualified for her job.

[@MegaPapa8888]

If our government is not anti-China and can protect foreign businesses, then foreign brands like BYD, Huawei, and Xiomi will invest here.

[@betl5982]

What’s that thing called? Proposition 47? Go ahead open more retail stores.

[@ed5308]

I am sorry for the "City" I enjoyed it when I could stay in Union Square and go out to dinner in its many fine restaurants and bars. Go shopping at Gump's and all the local stores. Its lost and it will not come back unless you clean the streets of the homeless and drug population. Its so easy to say but unless you have a will then there is no way.

[@1k1ngst0n]

she is avoiding the issue. what a waste of money and time

[@Wampaify]

San Francisco is new Detroit.

[@gunterhicks]

You need to replace the people.

[@brimopm]

Call in Rudy Giuliani and watch how fast the city recovers. Will never happen....

[@JCRondel]

Rampant graffiti is not addressed by the city plans.

[@avataraustin1]

I don't want to step in human poop

[@janiebankston2003]

Its not gonna help , the street mentality ill will distroy every improvement 😢.

[@chip4494]

Lmao, instead of helping the homeless crisis they’re worried about a square.

[@user-ic2kk5vf4o]

Don't make a move until : 06 / 04 / 2024 Reset in Progress.....

[@alexbarn]

“Poop”

[@hr2079]

It still looks terrible. Remove the fentanyl zombies first

[@jesselgavieres6488]

Zombies, got cash for to do drugs? Got poo latrines? Got free support for using drugs? So san Francisco CA, a place to be, a go to area to be zombies? Hmm.,., So why not advertise to the world? "Zombies, be on San Francisco CA" to have all the free goodies, free stuffs and all tax free & paid?,..

[@monkmysterio]

grand opening grand closing

[@mancinisleeptrain]

Turing into the WEF 15 min microwave surveillance city