Post prop 13, many cities/counties opted to reject residential construction preferring retail which would generate sales tax. Surprise, people both migrated in and reproduced--four decades later, we are five million housing units short (media report,maybe LAT) The rise of internet/delivery makes shrinking the number of retail locations necessary. As to 16th, given Walgreens locations along Mission, this is not a major tragedy other than for the disabled for whom a discounted trip on the Mission bus is difficult. When I decide which Walgreens to go to I have 4 within short bus rides. On a national basis, Walgreens pulled off a coup by acquiring many locations from a rival which allowed them to eliminate cross street competitors. ICYMI, anti-trust enforcement has ceased.
The fight at 16th St. is complex; those trying to "save" the feel of the Latino Mission of cheap housing, small local businesses point out that merely adding huge numbers of astronomically priced housing units does not provide for current residents. Decades ago, those not favoring BART accused it of being the Trojan Horse for turning SF into Manhattan. It took a while, and the tech explosion, but it is happening. This state needs a "crash program" of affordable housing which I define as rent fits fed guideline of 30% of a 40hr wage. Probably means lowering/eliminating transit fares, as well as building out most of the proposed expansions. BTW, the free fare idea is actively being proposed around Kansas City as well as partially implement in Columbus Ohio--neither of which metros qualify as radical lefty bi-coastal hotbeds.