Babylon-by-the-Bay's pic biz gets big bounceback; San Francisco's appealing streets pull in producers.(CASE STUDY)

After a decadelong production drought, San Francisco is back in the game.

NBC's new "Trauma" gives the city its first ongoing series since "Nash Bridges" shuttered. Production is centered at hangars-turned-soundstages located at a historic naval facility on San Francisco Bay's Treasure Island (previously used for "Nash Bridges"). However, the skein lenses on location in town five out of eight days of filming.

"The city has welcomed us with open arms," says Dario Scardapane, "Trauma's" exec producer and creator. Although there are no formal production incentives or rebates in San Francisco, Scardapane says the city has helped defray some expenses.

"With …