- BY ELIZABETH ALLIN
- Oct 18, 2024 (nobhillgazette.com)
Those of us who call San Francisco home know our city is on an upswing. Crime is down, visits are up and neighborhoods across the City are filled with people enjoying fantastic restaurants and exciting festivals.
But we also know that San Francisco has not fully rebounded from the pandemic, and the countdown is on to reestablish our city as a world-class destination. Soon, the eyes of the world will be focused on us when we help host the NBA All-Star 2025, followed by Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 — all in the span of 18 months. How can San Francisco prepare for this moment, particularly on the heels of recent global events like the incredibly successful 2024 Summer Olympics?
There is a reason San Francisco was once called the Paris of the West. We enjoy many similarities with this sister city, including beautiful landmarks and parks, walkability, incredible food and wine, and a rich cultural heritage rivaled by few other places. We also share many of the challenges Paris faced in preparing for the Olympics, including density, a housing shortage, aging public transportation, meaningful traffic and similar crime rates.
After attending the games in Paris, I came home brimming with confidence that San Francisco’s icon status will prevail, but time is of the essence. With the 74th NBA All-Star Game around the corner, our city must work quickly to showcase all that is authentically San Francisco. Rather than feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by what Paris achieved, San Francisco should aim to emulate what went well.
Revitalize Storefronts
Although most Olympic competitions took place in dispersed locations, Paris did an outstanding job extending the “Olympic spirit” to quieter areas around the city. Temporary merchandise and food kiosks, screens broadcasting competitions, and interactive experiences like makeshift basketball courts were constructed in different areas. A massive official merchandise headquarters even popped up in the middle of the Champs-Élysées. Visitors had endless reasons to explore Paris beyond official events.
San Francisco should follow suit and turn one of our largest post-pandemic weaknesses into a strength by filling our empty spaces with life. Imagine large screens broadcasting live games in public spaces like Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, Rincon Park and Washington Square. Sponsors and merchandisers should be incentivized to fill empty storefronts, many of which already participate in SF New Deal’s Vacant to Vibrant program, creating experiences, selling merchandise and hosting promotional events.
Downtown San Francisco would be abuzz with eager fans visiting pop-up venues dedicated to each NBA All-Star player, or shopping in stores honoring merchandise from each country participating in the 2026 World Cup. Major brands that advertise during events like the Super Bowl, including many of our local tech companies, would be eager to take advantage of the opportunity to create a bespoke experience at a preferred cost. Let’s make downtown the place to be for weeks before, and after, these events.
Ask for Help With Security
One of the most effective measures Paris took as Olympics host was partnering with law enforcement and public safety officials from neighboring countries and global cities, including Los Angeles and New York. While added security may seem like a practical move, the impact on the ground was incredibly powerful, generating a sense of international unity and underscoring the value of friendly competition and sportsmanship.
San Francisco’s own efforts to improve safety and livability began over a year ago in preparation for the 2023 APEC conference, and the efforts are noticeable. But simply improving our streets and deploying local and state law enforcement won’t be enough to keep us, and our visitors, safe during national and global events. Tapping support and partnership from cities around the United States can provide security and improve our intercity relationships at the same time.
Leverage Technology
The Paris Olympics experience would not have been nearly as enjoyable without excellent technology. The city created its own app, which seamlessly integrated practical and useful tools, such as the ability to purchase public transportation passes, information on where to rent shared bicycles, geolocation and route-planning tips, plus weather and news updates, available in seven languages. Once the games ended, visitors were redirected to an evergreen version of the same application.
It is almost unimaginable that our city — the technology capital of the world — currently lacks a comprehensive, tech-based solution for navigating and enjoying everything it has to offer. San Francisco should ask the tech community to create an app that sets a new standard for visitors from around the world and helps everyone navigate and enjoy the City.
Recent years have challenged San Francisco’s global reputation. We are about to welcome tens of millions of visitors, according to the San Francisco Travel Association, and it is critical that we learn from other host cities and leverage our resources to ensure a world-class experience. While there is no place like Paris, there is also no place like San Francisco. The next 18 months are the perfect opportunity to remind the world that we are forever iconic.
