Chinatown Merchants Report 60% Sales Drop as Portsmouth Square Renovation Grinds Into Its Third Month
Small businesses near the $73 million park overhaul are sounding the alarm over lost parking, construction noise, and plummeting foot traffic.
Two months into the $73 million renovation of Portsmouth Square — long called the "living room" of San Francisco's Chinatown — nearby merchants say they are struggling to survive. The project, which is expected to take two years, has brought construction noise, dust, and the loss of nearby parking spaces, all of which business owners say have driven customers away. Edward Siu, president of the Chinatown Merchants United Association, said some stores have reported a 60% drop in business since construction began in June. He cited the lack of parking, construction noise, and dust as the key factors keeping shoppers away.