Marc Benioff says downtown San Francisco is 'never going back to the way it was' as experts grapple with turning around the ghost town.

The article focuses on the challenges facing downtown San Francisco as it struggles to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Business owners, such as Jack Mogannam of Sam's Cable Car Lounge, report significant declines in foot traffic and sales, with many storefronts closing and crime increasing. A study from the University of Toronto highlights that San Francisco ranks last among 63 North American downtowns in returning to pre-pandemic activity levels. City leaders are exploring solutions, including mixed-use developments and office-to-housing conversions, while some businesses are relocating to suburban areas due to concerns about safety and the urban environment. Despite these challenges, there are signs of gradual recovery, with increased foot traffic and new businesses opening in certain areas. [Extracted from the article]