In response to the retail exodus from Union Square, San Francisco City Hall and the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to relax zoning laws and reduce the red tape involved in converting commercial and office space. By facilitating the conversion of these spaces to housing or other uses, city officials hope to combat rampant vacancy and revitalize downtown. The passed law also allows for office space on the upper floors, which is currently reserved for retail only, and relaxes restrictions on indoor and outdoor entertainment. Although the rise of remote work and e-commerce has fundamentally changed the retail and commercial landscape, this move aims to fill vacancies creatively and adapt to changing conditions. Continue reading the full article on SFist →
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