Even getting the tax on the ballot may be already having the desired effect, said Daniel Macchiarini, president of the North Beach Business Association. At least 18 new North Beach tenants have signed leases since the tax was proposed early last year, he said. Of the neighborhood's 30 remaining vacancies, landlords at 20 of them are now marketing the space, he said.
"Suddenly, for-rent signs started going up on all these buildings," said Mr. Macchiarini.