The Future of Downtown

Economic Diversification and The Future of Office

Based on the insights and information from the Covid Economic Impact Analysis Study, led by OEWD with the assistance of consultants, this effort will advance thinking and put forward recommendations regarding the opportunities and challenges in rethinking the economic mix of businesses, industries and organizations physically located in downtown.

Expanding Downtown Housing

With current high commercial vacancy and the likelihood of long-term work from home trends, many are pointing to the opportunity and need to increase the downtown residential population to create a more 24/7 environment and utilize vacant space, both through new construction and conversions of existing buildings. The Planning Department will examine the challenges and opportunities in converting non-residential buildings to housing as well as an assessment of capacity for new housing construction and how well the facilities and amenities downtown support a robust residential population.

• SPUR and Gensler released a summary of findings which includes an analysis of the physical characteristics of buildings that would make them candidates for adaptive reuse projects, as well as some of the feasibility barriers.
• Request for Interest (RFI) - Adaptive Reuse of Downtown Commercial Buildings was issued on June 22, 2023. 
  • About the RFI 
  • Informational Session held on July 19, 2023 (video)
  • Presentation given at Informational Session
• The City approved legislation on July 5, 2023 (Ordinance No. 122-23) which among other things establishes a new Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse Program (Planning Code Section 210.5). Projects which meet certain criteria are eligible to receive of waivers of Planning Code requirements.  

Public Life and Retail

What can we do in the near and long term to fill vacant spaces? What ground floor uses are desirable? How much space is there relative to demand now and in the future? How can we expand the offerings of the street life downtown to include more arts, culture, small business, and services attractive and useful for a broad range of the population, including downtown workers? Building off the recently published Downtown Public Realm Action Strategy commissioned by the Downtown SF Partnership and the Planning Department will identify near-term and long-term strategies to activate the ground floor and public realm.

• Vacant to Vibrant is a program helping small businesses collaborate with local property owners to create engaging pop-up experiences and community spaces in downtown San Francisco.

Union Square

A unique place that has been a citywide/regional/national center for shopping, services, and entertainment. Will it continue to be different than the rest of downtown? The Planning Department and OEWD will build upon the analysis and the strategic planning effort currently being led by the Union Square Alliance.

• The City approved legislation (Ordinance No. 122-23) on July 5th which among other things will allow office and housing above the 1st floor in the Union Square area (C-3-R zoning district).