San Francisco’s Marina District is still buzzing after Saturday’s Red Bull Formula 1 Showrun – but not all of the reaction is positive.
Tens of thousands packed Marina Boulevard to watch F1 cars speed down the waterfront. In the scramble for a better view, some spectators climbed trees, scaled walls and stood on private property, frustrating nearby residents.
Susan Eschweiler, who lives along the route, said the crowds quickly overflowed barricades.
“People were so deep that they wanted to get a higher view. They couldn’t see over the heads and the barricades. So they would climb up on our garden walls,” Eschweiler said. “There even was a guy standing on that no parking sign. He climbed up there and was standing on that pole,” she said, pointing down the sidewalk to the sign.
VIDEO: Red Bull Racing takes over San Francisco’s Marina Blvd. for Formula 1 showcase
Red Bull Racing was burning out along San Francisco Marina Boulevard Saturday, shutting the street down for its Formula 1 showcase.
Eschweiler said neighbors asked people to step back onto the sidewalk, but some ended up on lawns. While her home wasn’t damaged, she said some neighbors reported broken windows.
“If they plan it again, they need to do a better job of planning and communication,” she said.
Not everyone was upset. Nate Valentine, co-owner of Bar Darling, called it one of the business’s busiest days ever. He also attended parts of the event as a spectator and resident of the Marina.
“It was one of our top five days we ever had, and it was one of the days we didn’t know it’d be as busy,” he said.
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Valentine acknowledged the “growing pains” of a first-time event, but said the city should continue hosting attractions that draw visitors.
ABC7 Eyewitness News asked the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency about crowd control requirements tied to the event permit, but the agency referred questions to organizers. Red Bull did not immediately respond to questions about its planning process.
In a statement, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill said his office was made aware of “a handful of negative impacts to the surrounding neighborhood after the event concluded,” despite an overall positive experience for residents and visitors.
“San Francisco must be able to host exciting, world-class events safely and efficiently. We do this successfully every year for San Francisco Fleet Week, the Union Street Fair, and many others – there is no reason this event should have been different,” he said.
Sherrill said he has been in touch with Red Bull, which has committed to addressing property damage and debris and that he will “hold them to that commitment.” Sherrill added that city departments will review what happened and work to ensure stronger safeguards for future events.
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