Identify key nodes along commercial corridors for focused business attraction. 

 

Commercial corridors in the Sunset District vary in character, business variety and vibrancy. Some areas have required more focused attention from our office to target resources aimed at attracting new businesses. In the Blueprint, we identified the following 7 nodes that we would target with focused efforts such as façade improvements, business marketing and business attraction.

 

• Judah St. 27th–28th Ave.

• Judah St. 30th–33rd Ave.

• Noriega St. 19th–25th Ave.

• Taraval St. 19th–22nd Ave.

• Taraval St. 24th–28th Ave.

• Taraval St. 30th–33rd Ave.

• Taraval St. 44th–47th Ave.

 

Earlier this year, our office completed a study of most of these areas focused on business variety and façade condition. Below is a short summary of the results.

 

Judah St. 27th – 28th Ave.

There is a high number of trade-based businesses in this area, and a very low number of businesses that would attract foot traffic. Most business are appointment-based (medical services, tutoring, trade shops, insurance, etc.), and not businesses one would typically walk by and decide to go inside. There are no vacancies on this block, but the area would benefit from more eating and drinking establishments or retail uses to attract neighbors to walk in the area.

• 17 storefronts surveyed

• 5 (29%) Trade Shops (computer repair, carpet cleaning, plumbing and printing)

• 0 Retail

• 0 vacancies

 

Judah St. 30th – 33rd Ave.

There is a variety of shops in this 3-block stretch. However, the area is dominated by massage and salon uses. Again, most uses are appointment-based (salons, studios, and various types of services), and would not generate much foot traffic. There are a few retail shops and restaurants in this area, however, they are very separate from each other. The area could benefit from an increase in retail and eating and drinking establishments as well as targeted assistance to existing businesses with resources aimed at improving their storefronts, marketing, or general neighborhood beautification.

• 31 storefronts surveyed

• 8 (26%) Massage & Salon (massage, skin care, hair care)

• 4 (13%) Business & Professional Services (event planning, insurance, postal services)

• 4 (13%) Studios (martial arts, personal training, Pilates and gymnastics)

• 3 (10%) Retail (bike shop, pet store, clothing)

 

Noriega St. 19th – 25th Ave.

This is a contiguous strip of storefronts that does have day and nighttime foot traffic. This is largely due to the amount of restaurants and cafes in the area, as well as the density of storefronts along the corridor. While it is generally neighborhood-serving, the area may benefit from additional retail shops. Out of 90 storefronts, only 1 is retail (excluding Walgreens which is categorized as a pharmacy). Additionally, the cafes in the area may benefit from adding outdoor seating to create a more vibrant atmosphere.

• 90 storefronts surveyed

• 13 (14%) Restaurants, 4 (4%) Cafes

• 15 (17%) Medical Services

• 12 (13%) Massage & Salon (massage, hair, nail and skin care)

• 12 (13%) Business & Professional Services (accounting, insurance, real estate, bookkeeping, taxes)

• 6 (7%) Trade Shops (computer services, contractor, locksmith, upholstery, tailor)

• 1 Retail

• 1 vacancy

 

Taraval St. 19th – 22nd Ave.

This part of Taraval has a high density of storefronts, and a great potential for additional foot traffic. The variety of shops is lacking in this area. However, this stretch of Taraval boasts a variety of food that can be eaten in the restaurant or taken out. There is little else to attract residents from other parts of the neighborhood, or to keep someone on the street to shop and visit other stores. The area could benefit from retail shops as well as outdoor seating at existing restaurants.

• 67 storefronts surveyed

• 12 (18%) Restaurant (mostly sit-down/takeout, 1 fast food), 6 (9%) Cafes

• 7 (10%) Business & Professional Services (computer services, insurance, real estate, notary)

• 6 (9%) Cafes (Boba drinks, deli/café, dessert café)

• 6 (9%) Personal Services (hair and nail salons)

• 1 Retail (but does not appear to be in operation)

• 3 vacancies

 

Taraval St. 24th – 28th Ave.

This four-block stretch has the most vacancies, with a total of five. Our office and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) have reached out to many of the owners of the vacant storefronts in this area with little to no response. Most of the establishments are restaurants and cafes. In this area, the street slopes, which may detract from its walkability. This area would benefit from filling vacancies with neighborhood-serving businesses and businesses that attract residents from across the district.

• 58 storefronts surveyed

• 10 (17%) Restaurants (sit-down and takeout), 4 (7%) Cafes

• 8 (14%) Business & Professional Services (computer services, insurance, real estate, taxes)

• 6 (10%) Medical (dental, optometrist, acupuncture)

• 4 (7%) Retail (shoes, uniforms, furniture)

• 5 vacancies

 

Taraval St. 30th – 33rd Ave.

These blocks contain a variety of businesses. However, the area lacks significantly in retail and café space. The retail that does exist in the area consists of stores offering paint and auto supplies – items that generally do not attract foot traffic. Businesses are densely packed in this stretch, and the area would benefit from businesses that attract foot traffic and those that would allow people to linger and enjoy the neighborhood, such as a coffee shop with outdoor seating.

• 36 storefronts surveyed

• 6 (17%) Restaurants (sit-down and takeout)

• 5 (14%) Personal Services (hair, skin and nail care)

• 4 (11%) Business & Professional Services (taxes, real estate, insurance)

• 2 (5%) Retail (auto parts, paint)

• 3 vacancies

 

Taraval St. 44th – 47th Ave.

This area of Taraval has a very high vacancy rate, with vacancies outnumbering any other use. However, our office is aware that one or more of these vacancies have applications pending at the Planning Department. The uses proposed, such as a restaurant and café, would certainly add more life to the area, and our office will coordinate with the merchants opening these shops to connect them with the resources necessary to be successful. Additionally, this area recently benefitted from a streetscape improvement project that added trees, landscaping, a parklet, new crosswalks, new sidewalks, and other amenities that make the area much more attractive for residents to enjoy.

• 17 storefronts surveyed

• 6 (35%) Vacancies

• 2 (12%) Liquor/Tobacco Stores

• 2 (12%) Personal Services (hair, spa)

• 2 (12%) Restaurants (diner, pizza)

• 1 (5%) Retail (garden supply)