Come to July PAR meeting for local concert updates
Transcript Of Come to July PAR meeting for local concert updates
The Richmond is
talking . . .
Sunday Streets, July 7: Take Sunday Streets from the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park all the way to the San Francisco Zoo at the foot of the Great Highway. Enjoy four miles of open streets, dozens of activities, live music and performances. All activities are free and open to all. Visit SundayStreetsSF.com/Event-Information for a map and up-to-date list of activities.
Alexandria Theater: Received Planning Commission approval in April to move forward on remodeling the building and adding a new structure that will include housing and underground parking in what is now a parking lot on 18th Avenue. The owners have agreed to provide more security and maintain the building throughout construction.
Beach Chalet Soccer Fields: The Coastal Commission approved plans by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to install synthetic turf and artificial lighting at these athletic fields on the west end of Golden Gate Park. Opponents continue to fight the plan in a lawsuit, but construction can begin, regardless.
Sports Basement Site: On June 17, the Presidio Trust heard presentations from the three finalists for development of this site, adjacent to Crissy Field. The finalists are: the Bridge/Sustainability Institute, proposed by Chora Group and WRNS; the Lucas Cultural
continued on page 2
Summer 2013 PAR Meeting • • •
Summer Concert Season Representatives from Outside Lands, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, SFPD and
SFMTA
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
7 to 9 p.m.
Richmond Recreation Center 251 18th Avenue
(between Clement & California streets)
Paid parking is available one block away in the lot behind the Alexandria Theatre between Clement Street and Geary Boulevard.
Muni lines: 1 California, 2 Clement, and 38 Geary
Summer 2013
PAR
Planning Association for the Richmond
Come to July PAR meeting for
local concert updates
Golden Gate Park is the crown
expect to use technology, streaming
jewel among San Francisco’s parks, performances from three stages this
attracting picnickers, golfers, fly
year, to encourage people to enjoy
fishers, museum-goers and in the
the music online at home. This
summer, tens of thousands of music- approach kept crowds manageable at
lovers. The two biggest concerts—
the February 2012 memorial held for
Outside Lands and the Hardly Strictly Hellman at Ocean Beach. The 2013
Bluegrass Festival—will be the
concert—still free to all—will be
topic of PAR’s general membership October 4 to 6.
meeting on July 17.
“We want to be a good neighbor to
“We will bring together the concert the Richmond and Sunset Districts,”
organizers and members of the San
said Allen Scott, promoter of Outside
Francisco Police Department and
Lands. “PAR has been instrumental in
the city’s Municipal Transit Agency that effort. From our first concert six
to explain their strategies and plans years ago, PAR has been willing to
to help make sure these events go
sit down and help us understand the
smoothly with as little adverse
impacts on the neighborhood and how
impact on the Richmond District as we might mitigate them.”
possible,” said Nick Belloni, PAR co-
This year, Outside Lands
vice president and chair of PAR’s Rec welcomes its biggest headliner ever—
& Park Committee.
Sir Paul McCartney. The concert
PAR has worked with the
is expected to bring 65,000 people
organizers of both concerts over
daily to the park on each of its three
many years and has influenced
days (August 9 to 11). Scott noted
significant improvements at both
that, because many concert-goers
events. “We appreciate PAR’s
have attended in the past, they are
thoughtful, collaborative approach
“savvier” about getting to and from
to problems,” said Dawn Holliday,
the event and are more respectful of
organizer of the Hardly Strictly
the neighborhood.
Bluegrass Festival. “PAR not only
Both concert organizers will
gives us good, overall feedback, it has discuss plans related to transpor-
been instrumental in mediating with tation—including more emphasis
individuals in the neighborhood.”
on public transportation, biking and
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
shuttles; an app for live, real-time
Festival, founded in 2001, is
traffic updates; and noise abatement.
preparing for its first festival since
Captain Sharon Ferrigno of the
the death of its founder, and PAR
SFPD’s Richmond Station will
member, Warren Hellman. Organizers discuss added police presence both
continued on back page
Letter from the President
Dear PAR Members, Similar to what is happening across San Francisco, the pace of planning and development activities in the Richmond District during the second quarter of 2013 picked up considerably and the Planning Association for the Richmond has been active on many fronts.
One example is the first meeting of the “Invest in the Richmond” effort supported by the Clement Street Merchants Association, the Geary Boulevard Merchants’ Association, the Mayor’s Office, PAR, the San Francisco Planning Department, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Supervisor Eric Mar’s office.
Besides providing an opportunity for many Richmond residents and merchants to meet one another, the meeting started
Officers & Directors
Officers Raymond Holland, President Nicholas Belloni, Co–Vice President Richard Correia, Co–Vice President Brenda Altman, Secretary Christopher Wright, Treasurer
Directors Fred Altshuler Dan Baroni Gene Brodsky Julie Burns Eliote Durham Herb Elliott Paul Epstein Robert Fries Sharon Gadberry
Margie Hom-Brown Jason Jungreis Brian Larkin Claire Myers Marjan Philhour Bill Shepard Cheryl Schultz Andy Thornley Peter Winkelstein
Emeritus Directors Lynn Altshuler • Jim Lazarus • Ron Miguel Paul Rosenberg • Michele Stratton
PAR Representatives in Other Organizations: Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground:
Claire Myers Housing Action Coalition: Dan Baroni Kaiser Permanente Citizens Task Force:
Peter Winkelstein Neighborhood Associations for Presidio
Planning: Paul Epstein, Sharon Gadberry, Ray Holland Neighborhood Working Group for Presidio Master Plan: Ray Holland Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee: Julie Burns Presidio Restoration Advisory Board: Julie Cheever Richmond Community Coalition: Ray Holland, Nick Belloni
a planning process that will result in a strategic economic development plan. (See story, page 5)
Other ongoing activities include:
Land Use Planning Despite PAR’s opposition to AT&T’s
installation of equipment cabinets on public sidewalks without environmental review, AT&T has invited representatives of PAR to “discuss” 12 specific addresses in the Richmond District where it wants to install one of those cabinets beginning in 2014:
162 Second Avenue 599 Second Avenue 191 Fifth Avenue 398 Seventh Avenue 500 24th Avenue 505 26th Avenue 302 30th Avenue 699 47th Avenue 120 Anza Street 1751 Anza Street 5600 Geary Boulevard 6500 Geary Boulevard If you live, work or own property at or near any of those addresses and would like advice or guidance about responding to AT&T, please let us know by leaving an email message at [email protected] or a voice message at 415-541-5652.
Plans and Parking Around the Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The 2006 lawsuit filed by PAR and Friends of Lands End over the adverse effects of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC) remains unresolved. In fact, the required environmental and historic review processes have stopped for an indefinite period of time. However, the SFVAMC has an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to lease just over 40,000 square feet in Mission Bay. While that provides only about four percent of the SFVAMC’s need for space, it is a start that we applaud.
Neighborhood parking congestion should ease now that the National Parks Service has agreed to lease assigned parking spaces on El Camino del Mar north of Point Lobos Drive, the parking lot next to the USSF Memorial and the Merrie Way parking lot for SFVAMC employee use while a five-story parking structure is built on the campus.
Coincidentally two residents have begun a petition drive to establish residential parking permits in their neighborhood just south of the SFVAMC and have met with some success.
I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions. Ray Holland
[email protected]
The Richmond is talking . . .
continued from page 1
Arts Museum, proposed by George Lucas; and the Presidio Exchange, proposed by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. See Resolved, page 5, for PAR’s position on the subject.
Up2code.org: Gives residents a new way to report and track non-emergency and nuisance code issues. This free smartphone app, developed by the Office of the City Attorney, gives citizens the power to make sure San Francisco stays a safe and healthy place to live, work and play. Don’t have a smartphone? You can still call the hotline at 415-554-3977.
Grocery Outlet: Plans for the proposed Grocery Outlet on Geary Boulevard at 27th Avenue were presented to the San Francisco Planning Commission in early June. The new plans include upgrades to
the interior, as well as murals, canopies and landscaping to improve the exterior.
Mountain Lake Playground: In June, the Recreation and Park Commission approved a plan to renovate Mountain Lake Park Playground. It will be funded in part by funds from the city’s 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Park Bond, with the balance raised privately by the Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground (for information or to donate, go to fmlpp.org). One of the goals of the renovation, which is being designed pro bono by the architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, will be to integrate the playground more closely with the lake, according to Claire Myers, PAR’s representative to FMLPP.
2
Thank you Our donors’ generosity is essential to PAR’s ongoing ability to
advocate on behalf of the residents and businesses of the Richmond District. We appreciate the support of every PAR member.
To maintain its independence, PAR does not accept government funding or grants. Our only income is our members’ tax-deductible dues and contributions.
We gratefully acknowledge those members who contributed from January 2012 through March 2013.
Patrons ($100 and above)
Maria Gloria, Angelina’s Café & Catering
330 Arguello HOA Paul Angelo Leonard F. Armstrong Lisa Baker Bulkley Yoyo Chan, California Pacific
Medical Center
Merci Steve & Phoebe Combs
Richard Corriea Joan Curtis Pat & Jerry Dodson Robert & Linda Fries Kwock Don Gee Maelin Wang, Golden Coast
Properties Richard & Eleanor Johns William & Emily Leider Melanie Marks Gabriel Ng & Mei Lamb Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. Richmond District Medical Group Richard H. Salz San Francisco Free Clinic Maria Sousa Mary Beth & Bob Starzel Christine Tam Viet Huong Fishsauce Co.
Sponsors ($50-$99)
250 Laurel Condominium Owners
Assn.
Fred Altshuler & Julia Cheever
Beresford Amoroso Tom & Susan Bernard J. Dennis Bonney
Danke
Ellen & Russell Breslauer
Bud & Nancy Bronstein
C. Howard & Ellen Brown
Sheana & Lewis Butler
Eunice Chee Curt Cournale Dr. & Mrs. David Curtis Francis De Rosa & Janice Roudebush Euphemia A. Felicitas Carolyn Forsyth Anadel S. Fox Ronald & Lanette Frostestad Sharon Gadberry Barry & Laura Galvin Asha Setty, Golden Gate National Parks
Conservancy Philip Gordon Allen & Patricia Grossman Peter & Chris Harada Ray & Melinda Holland Ken D. Donnelly, Institute on Aging Cliff Jarrard Edward & Judy Jarvis
Ma David & Barbara ith Kimport agat Tom & Kim Kuhn
Al Laskoff Jim & Ann Lazarus Alan & Sharon Levins Eugene & Ellen Lew Alfred Louie Lawrence & Elinore Lurie Liz Mamorsky & Melburn Knox Bill & Josie McGann Wayne Opp, Media Pro, Inc Dr. & Mrs. Robert A Mendle Judith & Walter Miller Mother Goose School Paula A. Morgan Moyra & Loring Moy Kayo I. Nakamura Phillippa Newfeld & Phillip Gordon Stephen Pegors & Trista Berkovitz Tony Rando Rene & Maureen Revel Mary E. Rossi
Subscribers ($25-$49)
Marie & Jean Acheritogaray
Patricia Ackerman
Ursula Alano
Bill Alvarado
Bob Arkoff
Mary Ash
Patricia Axelrod
George & Marsha Bach-Y-Rita
Beatrice Baldauf
Ted & Janet Bamberger
Roslyn Banish & Paul Epstein
Jean Barish
Joni Beemsterboer Rhonda Bennett Susan Blomberg
Grazie
Helen & Roger Bohl
William Bonham & Louise Fong
Peter & Carolyn Boyle
Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke
Sylvia Bushnell
Barbara Campagnoli
Campbell Construction
Henry Chan, C & G Enterprises
Edward & Meimei Chang
Allen Chu
Bob Chu
Jean Coblentz
Congregation Beth Sholom San
Francisco
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Danielson
Joe Demartini
Carolyn & Jerry Dow
M. Gay Ducharme
Ronald Faibusch
Francine Feder
Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Feigenbaum
Philip A. Fisher
Mafalda Flaviani
William & Ellen Kaye Fleishhacker
Cary & Carol Fong
Matthew Fong
John Frykman & Cheryl Arnold
Adelyn Fukuda
Charles Gherman
Howard & Barbara Ginsberg
continued on page 4
3
Subscribers ($25-$49)
continued from page 3
Doug Overman, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Dr. Peter Graf William Greenberg Joseph Grubb Louis N. Haas Professional Corp. Basilisa Halog Richard D. Harmon Carolyn L. & Fredric Hee Dr. & Mrs. Donald Heyneman Ken & Gail High Dr. & Mrs. S. Hoch Lillian Hong Sumi Honnami Chidori Hoy Marcia & Tom Hurley William Iracki Raoul Isaac Esther Jennings Mary E. Jones Richard & Elizabeth Jow Jason Jungreis & Robyn Lipsky Nickolas Kacprowski Jim & Yoshiko Kashiwagi Marlene & Russell Kawahata Raymond & Deborah Keeve Lawrence Kim Harumi Kishida Mr. & Mrs. Rae Kleinen
Bernd Kutzscher Jo Anne Lacombe Charles & Carol Lane W. Holsman & Carol Langbort Julia Lavroushin Dan & Letty Lee Eugenia Lee Michael & Sylvia Lee Wah Bun & Lai Sau Lee Eugene Leung Andrea J. Lewin Martin & Elinor Liberman Lillie & George Louie Victor S. Louie Jim & Mary Macaire Anastasia & Gregory Mandrussow Evelyn C. Manies Susanne Maruoka
Gracias Callie McLellan
Amy Meyer Tom Meyer Howard & Ellie Miller Ellen M. Murphy Mary L. Murray Roberta Neustadter Jim Nichelini Jack & Kathy Norton Thomas O’Donnell & Kathleen
Valesano Darlene B. Pasch Stephanie Peek
Francesca & Jeff Pera Lisa & Jay Pierrepont Ira & Eith Plotinsky C. H. Porter, Jr. Spencer & Jenelle Rank Ted Rausch Richard Reinhardt Charles B. Renfrew Julian Rhin Bern & Judith Rosen St. Peters Episcopal Church Richard & Antje Shadoan Camille She & K. Finn Robert & Anne Shepler Mary Lynn Shimek Raymond & Kathy Shine Taeko Shiozaki Cyrill Sinelnikoff Beatrice Smith David & Barbara Styles Addie Sullivan Robert & Susan Vanneman Jeanne & Jason Villafuerte Laura Ware Bob & Tera Wattles Leslie A. Will Edwin Young Herb & Jane Young
Forty years of community service in
Thanks to your support of the
For more than 40 years, PAR has:
Planning Association for the Richmond,
• Supported policies that maintain
your voice is heard when decisions are and enhance the quality of life in
made that affect the quality of life in
the Richmond District. We do this
our neighborhood.
by, among other things, testifying
Established in 1970, the Planning
and submitting comments to the
Association for the Richmond is San
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Francisco’s largest membership-based and other governmental bodies and
neighborhood organization. Our
working directly with residents on their
mission is to maintain and improve
concerns.
the quality of life in San Francisco’s
• Encouraged and worked with other
Richmond District.
neighborhood groups such as Friends
the Richmond
of Lands End, the Geary Boulevard Merchants Association, the Clement Street Merchants Association and many others.
• Collaborated with other groups, such as Neighborhood Associations for Presidio Planning, the Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee and the Richmond Community Coalition with the goal of ensuring a welcoming, livable environment.
4
Richmond District economic vitality
An alarming number of vacant storefronts in the neighborhood led PAR to help organize a meeting of 50 local and city leaders on May 23 to discuss how to improve the Richmond District’s economic vitality.
PAR joined with Supervisor Eric Mar’s office and the Geary Street Merchants Association in the first of a series of meetings that will identify various workable initiatives and programs to improve the current state of the district.
SF Travel, an association of San
Francisco’s tourist industry leaders, spoke to how it can help better promote the Richmond District and its businesses to the 16 million people who visit San Francisco each year. A representative of the San Francisco Office of Economic Development discussed its “Invest in Neighborhoods” initiative that will soon release an economic analysis and ideas to improve the Geary Boulevard corridor from 14th to 28th Avenues.
PAR is an active participant in a working group that is looking at next
merits attention
steps, including asking Mayor Ed Lee to include a portion of the Clement Street merchant corridor in the immediate next round of the Invest in Neighborhoods program. This would identify designated municipal services and resources for Clement Street. The working group also will look at branding opportunities.
If you are interested in sharing your thoughts on how to improve the Richmond’s economic environment, please contact Chris Wright at [email protected] gmail.com
Meet PAR’s two newest board members
The PAR Board welcomed two new
public safety are among the issues she
into local businesses to pay local workers
members in May: Marjan Philhour and
wants to work on as a Board member.
and local taxes for further reinvestment.
Andy Thornley.
Looking to the future she said, “We
Getting around the neighborhood, helping
Marjan Philhour brings a background need to continue to work with residents
elevate walking and bicycling to be safer
in political strategy and public affairs
and advocate for more services and
and more practical for more people, is
to the PAR board and wants to apply
updated playgrounds, repaved roads and essential as is a properly functioning
her organization skills to enhance
other efforts that will continue a legacy of Muni,” he said.
PAR’s outreach and participation in
inclusion and diversity.”
Formerly on the staff of the SF Bicycle
neighborhood issues.
Philhour is president and CEO of The Coalition and now an analyst at the SF
“One of PAR’s
California Group, a political consulting
Municipal Transit Agency, Andy brings
duties is to keep
firm. She has lived in the Richmond since information technology and management
our local leaders
2006.
skills to the board.
accountable
A Richmond District resident since
“PAR has been
through keeping
1987, Andy Thornley is interested in
the main forum
communication
balancing growth with sustaining the
and voice of the
channels clear and
quality of life, especially issues related
Richmond, for 40
using them frequently. to “safety, traffic, noise, walkability
years, I’m proud
PAR provides us
and bike-ability. I cherish living in a
to have a place on
an opportunity to come together as a
place where I can do all of my shopping PAR’s board to
community and communicate effectively,” locally, by bike and on foot. It’s good for offer what I can in
Marjan said. Economic revitalization and everyone to have my family’s money go addressing these and other issues.”
Resolved:
Actions taken by
Supported the application by Grocery Outlet for a conditional use permit for its proposed store on Geary Boulevard between 27th and 28th Avenues. (See page 2.)
Submitted a letter to the Presidio Trust requesting that two recently discovered semi-buried pipes in the north arm of Mountain Lake Park be removed. The
the PAR Board
pipes may be full of contaminants and when they corrode they will further pollute the lake.
Hosted a meeting attended by local businesses and representatives of San Francisco city agencies to discuss the Richmond District’s economic vitality. (Story at top of this page.)
of Directors
Submitted a letter to the Presidio Trust recommending that the former site of the Presidio Commissary, opposite Crissy Field be developed consistent with the Presidio Interpretative Plan (PIP) adopted by the Trust. PAR supports development proposals for the site that meet the PIP standards.
For up-to-date PAR and neighborhood news, visit www.sfpar.org.
5
5758 Geary Boulevard, #356 San Francisco, CA 94121-2112
www.sfpar.org
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JJooininPAPRAR now and make your voice heard.
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Concert updates
continued from page 1
in and outside of Golden Gate Park. A representative of the SFMTA will address parking control and public transportation.
“Dedicating a meeting to the concerts offers an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the events, from the legitimate concerns of residents to the undeniable economic benefits they bring to the Richmond and Sunset districts,” said PAR President Ray Holland. “Providing a forum like this is a perfect example of PAR’s mission to enhance the quality of life in the Richmond District.”
The concert websites are hardlystrictlybluegrass.com and sfoutsidelands.com.
Don’t miss a single PAR meeting in 2013
Wednesdays July 17
October 17
Richmond Recreation Center 7 to 9 p.m.
251 18th Avenue (between Clement & California
Streets)
Paid parking is available one block away.
talking . . .
Sunday Streets, July 7: Take Sunday Streets from the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park all the way to the San Francisco Zoo at the foot of the Great Highway. Enjoy four miles of open streets, dozens of activities, live music and performances. All activities are free and open to all. Visit SundayStreetsSF.com/Event-Information for a map and up-to-date list of activities.
Alexandria Theater: Received Planning Commission approval in April to move forward on remodeling the building and adding a new structure that will include housing and underground parking in what is now a parking lot on 18th Avenue. The owners have agreed to provide more security and maintain the building throughout construction.
Beach Chalet Soccer Fields: The Coastal Commission approved plans by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to install synthetic turf and artificial lighting at these athletic fields on the west end of Golden Gate Park. Opponents continue to fight the plan in a lawsuit, but construction can begin, regardless.
Sports Basement Site: On June 17, the Presidio Trust heard presentations from the three finalists for development of this site, adjacent to Crissy Field. The finalists are: the Bridge/Sustainability Institute, proposed by Chora Group and WRNS; the Lucas Cultural
continued on page 2
Summer 2013 PAR Meeting • • •
Summer Concert Season Representatives from Outside Lands, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, SFPD and
SFMTA
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
7 to 9 p.m.
Richmond Recreation Center 251 18th Avenue
(between Clement & California streets)
Paid parking is available one block away in the lot behind the Alexandria Theatre between Clement Street and Geary Boulevard.
Muni lines: 1 California, 2 Clement, and 38 Geary
Summer 2013
PAR
Planning Association for the Richmond
Come to July PAR meeting for
local concert updates
Golden Gate Park is the crown
expect to use technology, streaming
jewel among San Francisco’s parks, performances from three stages this
attracting picnickers, golfers, fly
year, to encourage people to enjoy
fishers, museum-goers and in the
the music online at home. This
summer, tens of thousands of music- approach kept crowds manageable at
lovers. The two biggest concerts—
the February 2012 memorial held for
Outside Lands and the Hardly Strictly Hellman at Ocean Beach. The 2013
Bluegrass Festival—will be the
concert—still free to all—will be
topic of PAR’s general membership October 4 to 6.
meeting on July 17.
“We want to be a good neighbor to
“We will bring together the concert the Richmond and Sunset Districts,”
organizers and members of the San
said Allen Scott, promoter of Outside
Francisco Police Department and
Lands. “PAR has been instrumental in
the city’s Municipal Transit Agency that effort. From our first concert six
to explain their strategies and plans years ago, PAR has been willing to
to help make sure these events go
sit down and help us understand the
smoothly with as little adverse
impacts on the neighborhood and how
impact on the Richmond District as we might mitigate them.”
possible,” said Nick Belloni, PAR co-
This year, Outside Lands
vice president and chair of PAR’s Rec welcomes its biggest headliner ever—
& Park Committee.
Sir Paul McCartney. The concert
PAR has worked with the
is expected to bring 65,000 people
organizers of both concerts over
daily to the park on each of its three
many years and has influenced
days (August 9 to 11). Scott noted
significant improvements at both
that, because many concert-goers
events. “We appreciate PAR’s
have attended in the past, they are
thoughtful, collaborative approach
“savvier” about getting to and from
to problems,” said Dawn Holliday,
the event and are more respectful of
organizer of the Hardly Strictly
the neighborhood.
Bluegrass Festival. “PAR not only
Both concert organizers will
gives us good, overall feedback, it has discuss plans related to transpor-
been instrumental in mediating with tation—including more emphasis
individuals in the neighborhood.”
on public transportation, biking and
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
shuttles; an app for live, real-time
Festival, founded in 2001, is
traffic updates; and noise abatement.
preparing for its first festival since
Captain Sharon Ferrigno of the
the death of its founder, and PAR
SFPD’s Richmond Station will
member, Warren Hellman. Organizers discuss added police presence both
continued on back page
Letter from the President
Dear PAR Members, Similar to what is happening across San Francisco, the pace of planning and development activities in the Richmond District during the second quarter of 2013 picked up considerably and the Planning Association for the Richmond has been active on many fronts.
One example is the first meeting of the “Invest in the Richmond” effort supported by the Clement Street Merchants Association, the Geary Boulevard Merchants’ Association, the Mayor’s Office, PAR, the San Francisco Planning Department, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Supervisor Eric Mar’s office.
Besides providing an opportunity for many Richmond residents and merchants to meet one another, the meeting started
Officers & Directors
Officers Raymond Holland, President Nicholas Belloni, Co–Vice President Richard Correia, Co–Vice President Brenda Altman, Secretary Christopher Wright, Treasurer
Directors Fred Altshuler Dan Baroni Gene Brodsky Julie Burns Eliote Durham Herb Elliott Paul Epstein Robert Fries Sharon Gadberry
Margie Hom-Brown Jason Jungreis Brian Larkin Claire Myers Marjan Philhour Bill Shepard Cheryl Schultz Andy Thornley Peter Winkelstein
Emeritus Directors Lynn Altshuler • Jim Lazarus • Ron Miguel Paul Rosenberg • Michele Stratton
PAR Representatives in Other Organizations: Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground:
Claire Myers Housing Action Coalition: Dan Baroni Kaiser Permanente Citizens Task Force:
Peter Winkelstein Neighborhood Associations for Presidio
Planning: Paul Epstein, Sharon Gadberry, Ray Holland Neighborhood Working Group for Presidio Master Plan: Ray Holland Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee: Julie Burns Presidio Restoration Advisory Board: Julie Cheever Richmond Community Coalition: Ray Holland, Nick Belloni
a planning process that will result in a strategic economic development plan. (See story, page 5)
Other ongoing activities include:
Land Use Planning Despite PAR’s opposition to AT&T’s
installation of equipment cabinets on public sidewalks without environmental review, AT&T has invited representatives of PAR to “discuss” 12 specific addresses in the Richmond District where it wants to install one of those cabinets beginning in 2014:
162 Second Avenue 599 Second Avenue 191 Fifth Avenue 398 Seventh Avenue 500 24th Avenue 505 26th Avenue 302 30th Avenue 699 47th Avenue 120 Anza Street 1751 Anza Street 5600 Geary Boulevard 6500 Geary Boulevard If you live, work or own property at or near any of those addresses and would like advice or guidance about responding to AT&T, please let us know by leaving an email message at [email protected] or a voice message at 415-541-5652.
Plans and Parking Around the Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The 2006 lawsuit filed by PAR and Friends of Lands End over the adverse effects of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC) remains unresolved. In fact, the required environmental and historic review processes have stopped for an indefinite period of time. However, the SFVAMC has an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco to lease just over 40,000 square feet in Mission Bay. While that provides only about four percent of the SFVAMC’s need for space, it is a start that we applaud.
Neighborhood parking congestion should ease now that the National Parks Service has agreed to lease assigned parking spaces on El Camino del Mar north of Point Lobos Drive, the parking lot next to the USSF Memorial and the Merrie Way parking lot for SFVAMC employee use while a five-story parking structure is built on the campus.
Coincidentally two residents have begun a petition drive to establish residential parking permits in their neighborhood just south of the SFVAMC and have met with some success.
I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions. Ray Holland
[email protected]
The Richmond is talking . . .
continued from page 1
Arts Museum, proposed by George Lucas; and the Presidio Exchange, proposed by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. See Resolved, page 5, for PAR’s position on the subject.
Up2code.org: Gives residents a new way to report and track non-emergency and nuisance code issues. This free smartphone app, developed by the Office of the City Attorney, gives citizens the power to make sure San Francisco stays a safe and healthy place to live, work and play. Don’t have a smartphone? You can still call the hotline at 415-554-3977.
Grocery Outlet: Plans for the proposed Grocery Outlet on Geary Boulevard at 27th Avenue were presented to the San Francisco Planning Commission in early June. The new plans include upgrades to
the interior, as well as murals, canopies and landscaping to improve the exterior.
Mountain Lake Playground: In June, the Recreation and Park Commission approved a plan to renovate Mountain Lake Park Playground. It will be funded in part by funds from the city’s 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Park Bond, with the balance raised privately by the Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground (for information or to donate, go to fmlpp.org). One of the goals of the renovation, which is being designed pro bono by the architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, will be to integrate the playground more closely with the lake, according to Claire Myers, PAR’s representative to FMLPP.
2
Thank you Our donors’ generosity is essential to PAR’s ongoing ability to
advocate on behalf of the residents and businesses of the Richmond District. We appreciate the support of every PAR member.
To maintain its independence, PAR does not accept government funding or grants. Our only income is our members’ tax-deductible dues and contributions.
We gratefully acknowledge those members who contributed from January 2012 through March 2013.
Patrons ($100 and above)
Maria Gloria, Angelina’s Café & Catering
330 Arguello HOA Paul Angelo Leonard F. Armstrong Lisa Baker Bulkley Yoyo Chan, California Pacific
Medical Center
Merci Steve & Phoebe Combs
Richard Corriea Joan Curtis Pat & Jerry Dodson Robert & Linda Fries Kwock Don Gee Maelin Wang, Golden Coast
Properties Richard & Eleanor Johns William & Emily Leider Melanie Marks Gabriel Ng & Mei Lamb Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. Richmond District Medical Group Richard H. Salz San Francisco Free Clinic Maria Sousa Mary Beth & Bob Starzel Christine Tam Viet Huong Fishsauce Co.
Sponsors ($50-$99)
250 Laurel Condominium Owners
Assn.
Fred Altshuler & Julia Cheever
Beresford Amoroso Tom & Susan Bernard J. Dennis Bonney
Danke
Ellen & Russell Breslauer
Bud & Nancy Bronstein
C. Howard & Ellen Brown
Sheana & Lewis Butler
Eunice Chee Curt Cournale Dr. & Mrs. David Curtis Francis De Rosa & Janice Roudebush Euphemia A. Felicitas Carolyn Forsyth Anadel S. Fox Ronald & Lanette Frostestad Sharon Gadberry Barry & Laura Galvin Asha Setty, Golden Gate National Parks
Conservancy Philip Gordon Allen & Patricia Grossman Peter & Chris Harada Ray & Melinda Holland Ken D. Donnelly, Institute on Aging Cliff Jarrard Edward & Judy Jarvis
Ma David & Barbara ith Kimport agat Tom & Kim Kuhn
Al Laskoff Jim & Ann Lazarus Alan & Sharon Levins Eugene & Ellen Lew Alfred Louie Lawrence & Elinore Lurie Liz Mamorsky & Melburn Knox Bill & Josie McGann Wayne Opp, Media Pro, Inc Dr. & Mrs. Robert A Mendle Judith & Walter Miller Mother Goose School Paula A. Morgan Moyra & Loring Moy Kayo I. Nakamura Phillippa Newfeld & Phillip Gordon Stephen Pegors & Trista Berkovitz Tony Rando Rene & Maureen Revel Mary E. Rossi
Subscribers ($25-$49)
Marie & Jean Acheritogaray
Patricia Ackerman
Ursula Alano
Bill Alvarado
Bob Arkoff
Mary Ash
Patricia Axelrod
George & Marsha Bach-Y-Rita
Beatrice Baldauf
Ted & Janet Bamberger
Roslyn Banish & Paul Epstein
Jean Barish
Joni Beemsterboer Rhonda Bennett Susan Blomberg
Grazie
Helen & Roger Bohl
William Bonham & Louise Fong
Peter & Carolyn Boyle
Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke
Sylvia Bushnell
Barbara Campagnoli
Campbell Construction
Henry Chan, C & G Enterprises
Edward & Meimei Chang
Allen Chu
Bob Chu
Jean Coblentz
Congregation Beth Sholom San
Francisco
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Danielson
Joe Demartini
Carolyn & Jerry Dow
M. Gay Ducharme
Ronald Faibusch
Francine Feder
Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Feigenbaum
Philip A. Fisher
Mafalda Flaviani
William & Ellen Kaye Fleishhacker
Cary & Carol Fong
Matthew Fong
John Frykman & Cheryl Arnold
Adelyn Fukuda
Charles Gherman
Howard & Barbara Ginsberg
continued on page 4
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Subscribers ($25-$49)
continued from page 3
Doug Overman, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Dr. Peter Graf William Greenberg Joseph Grubb Louis N. Haas Professional Corp. Basilisa Halog Richard D. Harmon Carolyn L. & Fredric Hee Dr. & Mrs. Donald Heyneman Ken & Gail High Dr. & Mrs. S. Hoch Lillian Hong Sumi Honnami Chidori Hoy Marcia & Tom Hurley William Iracki Raoul Isaac Esther Jennings Mary E. Jones Richard & Elizabeth Jow Jason Jungreis & Robyn Lipsky Nickolas Kacprowski Jim & Yoshiko Kashiwagi Marlene & Russell Kawahata Raymond & Deborah Keeve Lawrence Kim Harumi Kishida Mr. & Mrs. Rae Kleinen
Bernd Kutzscher Jo Anne Lacombe Charles & Carol Lane W. Holsman & Carol Langbort Julia Lavroushin Dan & Letty Lee Eugenia Lee Michael & Sylvia Lee Wah Bun & Lai Sau Lee Eugene Leung Andrea J. Lewin Martin & Elinor Liberman Lillie & George Louie Victor S. Louie Jim & Mary Macaire Anastasia & Gregory Mandrussow Evelyn C. Manies Susanne Maruoka
Gracias Callie McLellan
Amy Meyer Tom Meyer Howard & Ellie Miller Ellen M. Murphy Mary L. Murray Roberta Neustadter Jim Nichelini Jack & Kathy Norton Thomas O’Donnell & Kathleen
Valesano Darlene B. Pasch Stephanie Peek
Francesca & Jeff Pera Lisa & Jay Pierrepont Ira & Eith Plotinsky C. H. Porter, Jr. Spencer & Jenelle Rank Ted Rausch Richard Reinhardt Charles B. Renfrew Julian Rhin Bern & Judith Rosen St. Peters Episcopal Church Richard & Antje Shadoan Camille She & K. Finn Robert & Anne Shepler Mary Lynn Shimek Raymond & Kathy Shine Taeko Shiozaki Cyrill Sinelnikoff Beatrice Smith David & Barbara Styles Addie Sullivan Robert & Susan Vanneman Jeanne & Jason Villafuerte Laura Ware Bob & Tera Wattles Leslie A. Will Edwin Young Herb & Jane Young
Forty years of community service in
Thanks to your support of the
For more than 40 years, PAR has:
Planning Association for the Richmond,
• Supported policies that maintain
your voice is heard when decisions are and enhance the quality of life in
made that affect the quality of life in
the Richmond District. We do this
our neighborhood.
by, among other things, testifying
Established in 1970, the Planning
and submitting comments to the
Association for the Richmond is San
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Francisco’s largest membership-based and other governmental bodies and
neighborhood organization. Our
working directly with residents on their
mission is to maintain and improve
concerns.
the quality of life in San Francisco’s
• Encouraged and worked with other
Richmond District.
neighborhood groups such as Friends
the Richmond
of Lands End, the Geary Boulevard Merchants Association, the Clement Street Merchants Association and many others.
• Collaborated with other groups, such as Neighborhood Associations for Presidio Planning, the Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee and the Richmond Community Coalition with the goal of ensuring a welcoming, livable environment.
4
Richmond District economic vitality
An alarming number of vacant storefronts in the neighborhood led PAR to help organize a meeting of 50 local and city leaders on May 23 to discuss how to improve the Richmond District’s economic vitality.
PAR joined with Supervisor Eric Mar’s office and the Geary Street Merchants Association in the first of a series of meetings that will identify various workable initiatives and programs to improve the current state of the district.
SF Travel, an association of San
Francisco’s tourist industry leaders, spoke to how it can help better promote the Richmond District and its businesses to the 16 million people who visit San Francisco each year. A representative of the San Francisco Office of Economic Development discussed its “Invest in Neighborhoods” initiative that will soon release an economic analysis and ideas to improve the Geary Boulevard corridor from 14th to 28th Avenues.
PAR is an active participant in a working group that is looking at next
merits attention
steps, including asking Mayor Ed Lee to include a portion of the Clement Street merchant corridor in the immediate next round of the Invest in Neighborhoods program. This would identify designated municipal services and resources for Clement Street. The working group also will look at branding opportunities.
If you are interested in sharing your thoughts on how to improve the Richmond’s economic environment, please contact Chris Wright at [email protected] gmail.com
Meet PAR’s two newest board members
The PAR Board welcomed two new
public safety are among the issues she
into local businesses to pay local workers
members in May: Marjan Philhour and
wants to work on as a Board member.
and local taxes for further reinvestment.
Andy Thornley.
Looking to the future she said, “We
Getting around the neighborhood, helping
Marjan Philhour brings a background need to continue to work with residents
elevate walking and bicycling to be safer
in political strategy and public affairs
and advocate for more services and
and more practical for more people, is
to the PAR board and wants to apply
updated playgrounds, repaved roads and essential as is a properly functioning
her organization skills to enhance
other efforts that will continue a legacy of Muni,” he said.
PAR’s outreach and participation in
inclusion and diversity.”
Formerly on the staff of the SF Bicycle
neighborhood issues.
Philhour is president and CEO of The Coalition and now an analyst at the SF
“One of PAR’s
California Group, a political consulting
Municipal Transit Agency, Andy brings
duties is to keep
firm. She has lived in the Richmond since information technology and management
our local leaders
2006.
skills to the board.
accountable
A Richmond District resident since
“PAR has been
through keeping
1987, Andy Thornley is interested in
the main forum
communication
balancing growth with sustaining the
and voice of the
channels clear and
quality of life, especially issues related
Richmond, for 40
using them frequently. to “safety, traffic, noise, walkability
years, I’m proud
PAR provides us
and bike-ability. I cherish living in a
to have a place on
an opportunity to come together as a
place where I can do all of my shopping PAR’s board to
community and communicate effectively,” locally, by bike and on foot. It’s good for offer what I can in
Marjan said. Economic revitalization and everyone to have my family’s money go addressing these and other issues.”
Resolved:
Actions taken by
Supported the application by Grocery Outlet for a conditional use permit for its proposed store on Geary Boulevard between 27th and 28th Avenues. (See page 2.)
Submitted a letter to the Presidio Trust requesting that two recently discovered semi-buried pipes in the north arm of Mountain Lake Park be removed. The
the PAR Board
pipes may be full of contaminants and when they corrode they will further pollute the lake.
Hosted a meeting attended by local businesses and representatives of San Francisco city agencies to discuss the Richmond District’s economic vitality. (Story at top of this page.)
of Directors
Submitted a letter to the Presidio Trust recommending that the former site of the Presidio Commissary, opposite Crissy Field be developed consistent with the Presidio Interpretative Plan (PIP) adopted by the Trust. PAR supports development proposals for the site that meet the PIP standards.
For up-to-date PAR and neighborhood news, visit www.sfpar.org.
5
5758 Geary Boulevard, #356 San Francisco, CA 94121-2112
www.sfpar.org
The date code above your name on the mailing label indicates when your membership expires.
JJooininPAPRAR now and make your voice heard.
Membership is open to all persons living, working, or owning property in the Richmond District of San Francisco. PAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your contribution is tax-deductible as provided by law.
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❑ Individual
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PPAARR 5735184G5 eGaerayrByoBuoluevleavradr,dB, o#x203556 SanSFanraFnrcaisnccoi,scCoAC9A4192411-128112
THANKS for helping to support the quality of life in San Francisco's Richmond District.
Pay Your PAR dues on online!
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Concert updates
continued from page 1
in and outside of Golden Gate Park. A representative of the SFMTA will address parking control and public transportation.
“Dedicating a meeting to the concerts offers an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the events, from the legitimate concerns of residents to the undeniable economic benefits they bring to the Richmond and Sunset districts,” said PAR President Ray Holland. “Providing a forum like this is a perfect example of PAR’s mission to enhance the quality of life in the Richmond District.”
The concert websites are hardlystrictlybluegrass.com and sfoutsidelands.com.
Don’t miss a single PAR meeting in 2013
Wednesdays July 17
October 17
Richmond Recreation Center 7 to 9 p.m.
251 18th Avenue (between Clement & California
Streets)
Paid parking is available one block away.