SAN FRANCISCO — We hear a lot about the blight loops, crime and homelessness that plague the city of San Francisco, but on Friday the city transformed into a mecca for arts, festivals and concerts.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to downtown, bringing much-needed foot traffic and revenue to local businesses.
They came to enjoy a number of events, including a free concert by Portugal the Man, a Green Day performance at Oracle Park, Oktoberfest on Front Street, Greek Fest in the Mission District, and more, all of which drew locals as well as people from around the Bay Area and beyond.
Vanessa Gayton took BART from Concord.
“I think it’s important to understand that every big city has its problems, but it has a lot to offer people,” Gayton said, “so take that opportunity and do something about it.”
Vanessa and her boyfriend, Dominic, said they didn’t feel unsafe on their way to the concert, and were, in fact, impressed by how lively the city was on Friday night.
“When I came here five or 10 years ago, it felt a lot more dangerous and suspicious,” Dominique Bruno said. “To see everyone here having fun and being safe is really refreshing.”
Mayor London Breed also mingled with the Oktoberfest crowd and enjoyed one of the many events, and she said changes were needed at City Hall to allow the event to return.
“San Francisco needs to be a yes city,” Mayor Breed said. “We can’t do anything in San Francisco, which is notorious for being a no city.”
San Francisco has partnered with Another Planet Entertainment to bring several concerts to the city. City leaders are trying to change perceptions of a downtown area where concerns about crime and violence remain. Mayor Breed believes the city needs to invest in itself to bring people back.
“We make it so fun and easy, not just through the permit process, but by putting our lives into words and actions,” she said, “so events like this can happen.”
City leaders hope such events will boost pedestrian traffic at night as they struggle to lure office workers back during the day. Office vacancies are at an all-time high and are expected to rise again this year, according to CBRE, the commercial real estate services group.
Restaurants like Chao Pescao have seen the difference these events can make firsthand: The Latin Caribbean restaurant on McAllister Street near Civic Center Plaza has been packed all night, with wait times stretching out to an hour.
“Business is really good,” said Ciao Pescao’s Annabella Valdivieso, “and the show at the Civic Center definitely helps. The last time Skrillix played, it was packed and really enthusiastic.”
“We came here with the intention of, ‘We’re going to see a concert and then we’re going to have dinner here afterwards, so we’re definitely going to do some business in the surrounding area,'” added Chris Hoglund, who came to the concert.
Chris and Michelle used to live in the area and have seen positive changes happening in the city, and they feel that events like these help to change the city’s negative image.
“On Friday, less than 20 percent of this group will be hanging around here,” Michelle Catania said, “so we’re encouraging people to get out and explore areas of the city they might not normally go to.”