Blight into Beauty in San Francisco

At a time when developers are having trouble getting loans to build, San Francisco is taking steps to improve empty lots with art, retail, and other temporary investments in neighborhood vitality until construction can resume.

1 minute read

September 7, 2009, 9:00 AM PDT

By Alek Miller

"The idea of short-term use makes private developers nervous because of liability issues, or concerns that they might have trouble building on land after it has been landscaped or gardened.

'We see it as an economic development activity,' said Rich Hillis of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development. 'If there's something exciting on those sites, it helps bring more interest and foot traffic.'"

Thanks to Alek Miller

FULL STORY: Efforts to turn empty lots to a glass half full

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in San Francisco Chronicle

Community / Economic Development California San Francisco Blight

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