Downtown Woes: San Francisco's Uneven Pandemic Recovery

Vacant ground-floor spaces in downtown areas, particularly in cities like San Francisco, Washington, and Portland, are contributing to the decline of urban centers. These empty storefronts, with their drawn shades and outdated signage, create a sense of desolation and deter people from returning downtown. To revitalize these areas, cities need to rethink the purpose of ground-floor spaces and consider alternative uses such as health clinics, day care centers, university classrooms, fabrication shops, or public amenities like bathrooms. Developers and property owners must also shift their mindset and view ground-floor spaces as a way to add value to the floors above, rather than solely focusing on profitability. Reimagining the ground floor requires a shift in regulations, incentives, and community engagement to create vibrant and interactive street-level spaces.