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San Francisco Still Pushing to Turn Offices Into Homes

The New York Times says the city's plan to convert vacant offices into housing has produced no finished units yet; the ribbon-cutting, however, is reportedly well rehearsed.

On air: Gloria Vance on Best of BBN
Published 5:27 AM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance on this story, from Best of BBN at 5:27 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “San Francisco Is Still Pushing to Turn Offices Into Homes”.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 5:27 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Gloria Vance.
Topics: San Francisco.
BBN covered this story before: Blue Angels fly again after fog limits Fleet Week show (October 10).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesSan Francisco Is Still Pushing to Turn Offices Into Homes

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe New York Times reports San Francisco has not completed a single office-to-housing conversion, despite hopes of filling empty downtowns.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWith me is Supervisor Marguerite Oyelaran-Voss.
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossThank you. And let me say, the conversion program is a triumph, and it is mine. When I cut the ribbon, you will see.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo, which ribbon? The data says none of the buildings are finished.
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossThe ribbon is in my office, next to the scissors. They are very large scissors. Ceremonial. When I cut the ribbon, it will be historic.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLarge scissors.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBut zero homes. Why has the city not finished one?
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossLook, delays are the work of other people. Permits, contractors, the weather, the previous council. Anything slow is theirs, and anything finished is mine.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNothing is finished.
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossYet. And when I cut the ribbon in the spring, I will say a few words, and you are all invited.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSpring. A date, now.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo you are scheduling a ceremony for a building with no tenants, no keys and, as far as I can tell, no completed floor.
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossA leader plans ahead. The scissors are booked. When I cut the ribbon, I will thank myself first, then the people who slowed me down.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLet me ask you plainly. How many ribbons have you cut so far?
Marguerite Oyelaran-VossFour. Practice ribbons. Very successful.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFour ribbons. Four more than homes.

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