City leaders want a fun Foster City; residents say it's 'boring and stagnant'

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (BCN) - Residents say Foster City is clean and safe. But there’s not much to do. 

“It's kind of boring and stagnant," said longtime resident Sophia Matgen.

Resident George Fanourglakas says hanging out with friends at home is a pretty standard Friday night. There are some restaurants in town, but basically Foster city has zero night life.

Even fostercityfun.com says:  "Sorry, but you won't find many happening bars in town.”

And if you are in in your 20s, fun means going out of the town of 33,000 people.

"I'm going to be in Burlingame, San Mateo or San Carlos. That's where all the bars are. That’s where it is fun to be a 22-year-old," said Arjun Nathan.

But city leaders are trying to change Foster City into more of a fun city. They are looking to attract restaurants and bars.

“Whether it be a tapas restaurant, whether it is a sports bar, or a tap room or a sit down white table cloth restaurant. We need all those," said Foster City Mayor Sam Hindi.

The idea is to not only improve the tax base by giving residents places to go, but also to entice people who work in Foster City to stay in town a while before heading home. So the city is offering low interest loans and grant money to such businesses that look promising.

“Foster City is willing to share the risk with you. We understand your success is our success," said Hindi.

Residents seem to like the idea.

“Keep people from driving far, drinking then coming back. Something in the local area would be great," said Fanourglakas.

"Society needs to open up and interact with people more than their devices," said Matgen.

The mayor says if all goes well there could be some night life coming to town by the end of the year.