San Francisco Officials Look To Revitalize The Fillmore District
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco officials have launched an ambitious new campaign to revitalize the Fillmore District, aiming to build on its historic past.
Back in the 1940's and 50's, attracting visitors to the Fillmore took nothing more than just a little jazz. The neighborhood was a national center for jazz featuring the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker.
KCBS' Jeff Bell Reports:
But over the years, the district became a designated redevelopment area, and many small businesses and residents were displaced.
"That's still I think that history that's a tragic one that still hangs over the community," said San Francisco Supervisor Christina Olague, who represents the Fillmore.
Olague is working with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on a new push to increase investment in the district.
"We want to encourage more people throughout the city and tourists to go to that area during the day and during the evening," she said.
San Francisco is partnering with merchants and property owners to improve the storefronts of dozens of local businesses and explore a variety of other ways to help them thrive.
"You have a lot of businesses that are independently owned," said Olague. "So I'd like to see the city support those businesses and look for ways of marketing the area."
As for the Fillmore's jazz heritage, Olague said it's right there in the burgeoning district. "We have Yoshi's, we have 1300, Rasselas and Sheba Lounge," she said.
According to Mayor Lee's office, the Fillmore's vacancy rate is down 21 percent and the new push hopes to build on that momentum.
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