Theo Ellington, the interim director of the Ruth Williams Opera House and candidate for District 10’s upcoming election, said the numbers are “not a surprise.” Ellington said there’s been a lack of investment in the neighborhood’s businesses, especially compared to nearby Dogpatch, which appears to be thriving. 

“You look at the corridor, and it’s like a tale of two districts,” said Ellington, referring to the neighborhood north of Bayview’s Third Street. “The most straightforward way to fix that is to have more people.” 

Developers have promised to build more housing along the waterfront, but several projects, such as housing proposed in the long-vacant Candlestick Point, have been stalled for years. 

Ellington said that Bayview’s commercial corridor could be an ideal location for expanded housing. The Third Street Youth Center and Clinic recently opened 19 new units for transitional-aged youth above an abandoned coffee shop at 3900 Third St. 

“If these projects move forward we will see the population growth that will help mitigate some of these low sales tax numbers,” said Ellington. “We’ve been waiting so long for progress, but ultimately, people are tired of waiting.” 

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