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Kris August 7, 2008 at 01:18 PM | 0 comments | 8 views | 0 mobile views |
Eastern Neighborhood Plan Approved Today

The San Francisco Planning Commission is expected to approve the Eastern Neighborhoods Plan today, which calls for the drastic rezoning of the East SoMa, The Mission, Central Waterfront, and Potrero Hill neighborhoods. The scheme, which has actually been described as "cutting edge" a superlative we've never associated with San Francisco planning allows for the possible addition of thousands of homes to the area, promising to change the character of affected neighborhoods; 7,500 new homeswill replace 2 million square feet of space devoted to shipping and receiving and whatever else people do around there. Developers will be slapped with "community improvement fees" of $6-$8 per square foot of new construction, which will be used (ostensibly) to expand area parks and transportation services. *80* projects are currently on hold, awaiting approval of the plan. Assuming things go well today, the drama isn't over. The next step: gaining approval from The Board of Supervisors.

Kris July 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM | 0 comments | 4 views | 0 mobile views | Good News
Finally, Some Good News

Charles Phan, of Slanted Door fame, is set to open his latest eatery in the Soma Grand, new luxury condos that recently opened on Mission between 7th and 8th. There aren't many options when it comes to better dining in the neighborhood, so this is definitely a welcome addition.

Jim Tatarazuk July 27, 2008 at 12:44 AM | 0 comments | 10 views | 0 mobile views |
Take the Mid-Market Survey!: CMCBD

About the Central Market Community Benefit District:

From the 1930s to 1970s, Central Market was the bustling center of commerce and public life in San Francisco. With restaurants and theaters, including the popular Paramount and Fox theaters, the Central Market area was the entertainment center of the Bay Area. Market Street was nicknamed The Great White Way in honor of the neon signs lining the corridor. Remnants of the neighborhood's colorful past can still be found along Market Street.

Following twenty-five years of economic decline, the Central Market Community Benefit District (CMCBD) was established to improve the mixed-use district and is striving to make the neighborhood a cleaner, safer, and more inviting place to be for residents, workers, merchants, and visitors.

The Central Market CBD hit the streets in mid 2007 to gather feedback from the Central Market community on neighborhood issues such as public safety, cleanliness, quality of life, and neighborhood offerings.

The CBD, through Urban Ecology, conducted an extensive survey to better understand the scope of services desired by residents, employees, and visitors. On-site surveys were also conducted as part of the strategy to gather feedback from those that might be harder to reach on the street such as area residents, social service program participants, homeless individuals, and office employees.

These results are an important tool for the CBD as this crucial information will be used to craft strategy and future programs. The survey results give the CBD the "voice" to speak for the district while also creating a relationship between the CBD and the district's constituencies. Furthermore, this information will act as a baseline of data that can be used to help measure the success and effectiveness of future services and programs.

You can still participate in the survey and let the Central Market CBD know your likes, dislikes, concerns and other comments about the neighborhood.

A link to the survey can be found here.

Kris July 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM | 1 comments | 17 views | 0 mobile views | Good News
Mid-Market Redevelopment Renderings Revealed

CurbedSF.com posted pictures today of the APPROVED mid-market redevelopment project centered around the 250,000 square foot retail space, CityPlace.

Jim Tatarazuk July 8, 2008 at 02:38 PM | 0 comments | 10 views | 0 mobile views | Bad News
Rant for the Day

This week I emailed the SFPD as well as the Mayor's Office and the Board. So far I have not had a response from any of them. Although I have seen an increased PD presence at 8th and Market - temporary I'm sure but they removed the loiterers for a day. I see today that they are out selling the stolen goods again however.

While the current mayor seems to have dropped the ball when it comes to neighborhoods instead catering to the business crowd downtown, this is nothing new. Every mayor since Feinstein has done this. And as downtown grows so do the city's problems. The infusion of money that is suppose to come from growth downtown, never materializes and the impact on the neighborhoods is more unaffordable housing resulting in more homelessness, more disenfranchisement of the working class and poor and more crime.

San Franciscans need more affordable housing, better law enforcement, and a better more effective public works department. The streets are dirtier than ever. Basic quality of life laws need to be enforced and more cops need to be on the beat. The supervisors need to spend less time fighting for just their own neighborhoods and come up with some citywide solutions to the basic quality of life problems.

When you price out respectable working class people you are left with an upscale and international crowd with no loyalty to or care for the City and it's history. and at the low end you have the poor and downtrodden. Bring back jobs and the working class and you'll have decent neighborhoods return. Hire more cops. Hire more street cleaners. Enforce loitering laws. And the majority of the problems will vanish.

Kris July 5, 2008 at 02:24 PM | 1 comments | 3 views | 0 mobile views | Good News, Bad News
Hole in the Wall: No More

The venerable Hold in the Wall Saloon has moved on down Folsom street after many, many years. Not exactly my kind of place, but they were decent neighbors. Hope something interesting moves in.

Kris April 1, 2008 at 07:17 PM | 0 comments | 6 views | 0 mobile views |
HUM: 3 Years Later

The local Harvest Urban Market opened with much excitement in the Fall of 2004. Heralded as your local organic grocery store, the market has struggled to hone its niche in a not-quite-yet transitioned neighborhood. When it opened, it focused on expensive, gourmet organic ingredients and hard-to-find items for rounding out your high end kitchen. However, many of the neighborhood's residents, some with a roof overhead and many not, didn't quite warm up to the pricy options.

Since opening, the store has backed off its aspirational offerings and has somewhat dumbed down its merchandise to a large convenience store. That's how I see that store. Its very convenient for that forgotten item or last minute beer, but otherwise I shop at Safeway. They have done well with their ready-to-eat meals and salad bar, and seem to do a pretty brisk lunch and coffee/breakfast business. With Trinity opening up the street in another year, and promises of a "major grocer" being rumored, I'm curious to see if they can go back to their gourmet organic roots to differentiate and survive, or simply go under. Whether you're a fan or not, nobody on 8th Street wants to see that happen...

Kris March 11, 2008 at 01:28 PM | 0 comments | 12 views | 0 mobile views | Bad News
Graffiti Still Relentless

Despite the influx of residents, businesses and even a few social services, we're still having a bit of a graffiti problem in this neighborhood. Despite the City's law requiring the removal of graffiti within 24 hours, much of this sits around for a week or so. I don't envy the businesses that get tagged often, it has to be a real headache not to mention expense. Fingers are crossed when I say that we've been lucky. Here's to hoping for more improvements shortly...

Kris March 10, 2008 at 02:06 PM | 1 comments | 6 views | 0 mobile views | Good News
Trinity Project Underway

I excited about the forthcoming and mammoth Trinity Plaza project that will occupy nearly all off the block bounded by Market, Mission, 8th and 7th. The seedy motel-turned apartments will be torn down in the coming year, paving the way for new condos, retail and an upgraded transit stop. Rumors abound that a "major grocery store" will be included, as well as a number of bars, restaurants and shops. Charles Phan of Slanted Door fame will soon be opening an eatery in the newly built Soma Grand nearby. Here's to being bullish on the neighborhood...

Kris March 9, 2008 at 02:51 PM | 0 comments | 3 views | 0 mobile views | Bad News
Don't Dump Your Trash

I also don't like it when people dump their trash on the sidewalk in front of my house.

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Bad News Good News

Most-Read Blogs

July 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM | 1 comments | 17 views
Mid-Market Redevelopment Renderings Revealed

March 11, 2008 at 01:28 PM | 0 comments | 12 views
Graffiti Still Relentless

July 8, 2008 at 02:38 PM | 0 comments | 10 views
Rant for the Day

July 27, 2008 at 12:44 AM | 0 comments | 10 views
Take the Mid-Market Survey!: CMCBD

August 7, 2008 at 01:18 PM | 0 comments | 8 views
Eastern Neighborhood Plan Approved Today

March 10, 2008 at 02:06 PM | 1 comments | 6 views
Trinity Project Underway

April 1, 2008 at 07:17 PM | 0 comments | 6 views
HUM: 3 Years Later

July 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM | 0 comments | 4 views
Finally, Some Good News

March 9, 2008 at 02:51 PM | 0 comments | 3 views
Don't Dump Your Trash

July 5, 2008 at 02:24 PM | 1 comments | 3 views
Hole in the Wall: No More

All Blog Postings

August 7, 2008 at 01:18 PM 0 comments
Eastern Neighborhood Plan Approved Today

July 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM 0 comments
Finally, Some Good News

July 27, 2008 at 12:44 AM 0 comments
Take the Mid-Market Survey!: CMCBD

July 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM 1 comments
Mid-Market Redevelopment Renderings Revealed