Next News Network

In a stunning revelation, California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that San Francisco’s recent major clean-up initiative was spurred by the arrival of global dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The city’s efforts to beautify its streets encompassed cleaning dirty sidewalks, relocating homeless individuals, and halting open drug use in key areas close to the summit venue, notably near the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building. These measures were taken in neighborhoods previously marred by crime and safety issues, to the extent that some local workers had been advised to work remotely indefinitely.

Governor Newsom acknowledged the motives behind the rapid beautification, which saw areas undergo transformations like power washing, landscaping, and the creation of new urban spaces, all executed within days using existing budgets. This swift action has sparked taxpayer questions regarding the city’s capabilities and commitment to long-term urban improvement.

A local business owner, reflecting on the temporary improvements for the APEC summit, questioned why such effective measures couldn’t be sustained for the benefit of the city’s residents. The summit, anticipated to attract President Biden, the Chinese leader, and around 20,000 attendees, has spotlighted the stark contrast between the city’s usual state and its capacity for rapid, large-scale urban renewal.