Tuesday: Community Meeting About 9-Story, 96-Unit Housing Development on Shotwell

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Rendering of 1296 Shotwell, as seen from Cesar Chavez. Source: MEDA, April 2016

On Tuesday,  August 23 at 6 pm, the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) will hold a community meeting at the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center to reveal their latest designs for 96 units of subsidized-affordable senior citizen housing at 1296 Shotwell, just north of Cesar Chavez. There’s also a focus group scheduled for Monday, August 29.  Here are the two upcoming events:

  • Community Meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 6pm to 7:30 at BHNC, 515 Cortland
  • Focus Group: Monday, August 29, 6pm to 7:30pm, Precita Eyes Mural Center, 348 Precita Avenue

Right now, 1296 Shotwell is a one story warehouse-style space used for automotive repair. As proposed, the site would become a 9-story building to provide 100% subsidized-affordable housing for senior citizens.

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1296 Shotwell, typical floorplans. Source: MEDA, April 2016

The proposed building would not include any parking, and it would rise 85′ from street level, or 20 feet higher than permitted under current zoning.

Source: San Francisco Planning Department

Source: San Francisco Planning Department

1296 Shotwell sits right next door to 1515 South Van Ness, the proposed six-story development approved in a unanimous 6-0 vote by the San Francisco Planning Commission earlier this month. As approved, 1515 South Van Ness will provide 157 units of mixed-income housing, with 25% set aside as subsidized-affordable.

During a contentious community meeting about 1296 Shotwell held last April, some Bernal neighbors objected to the proposed height of the building, which would rise five or six stories above most other nearby buildings. Others objected to the proposed design, which included an 85′ perforated concrete slab on the building’s south side, facing Bernal Hill.

Rendering of 1296 Shotwell, as seen from Coso/Stoneman in North Bernal. Source: MEDA

Rendering of 1296 Shotwell, seen from Coso/Stoneman in North Bernal. Source: MEDA, April 2016

MEDA has suggested the Bernal-facing slab could be covered by a mural, but in the bilingual workshop sessions held during March’s community meeting, neighbors were unenthusiastic about the mural concept, pointing out that south-facing murals tend to disintegrate  quickly because of the harsh sun. One neighbor said the mural proposal was “basically the definition of putting lipstick on a pig.”

MEDA tells Bernalwood a revised design for the project will be on display at the meeting on Tuesday. However, despite repeated requests, MEDA declined to provide renderings of the updated proposal in advance of Tuesday’s meeting.

Personally, I would like to see 1296 Shotwell built at the proposed height, with the proposed number of housing units. I live a block from 1296 Shotwell, about 400 feet away, and the building will be in the direct line of sight from my house.  The new building will definitely obscure part of my glamorous skyline view, but I don’t care that much about losing some of my glamorous skyline view, because San Francisco desperately needs more, higher-density housing of all kinds to make housing more affordable to more San Franciscans. But that’s just me, and I’m on record as a YIMFY — Yes In My Front Yard.

That said, 1296 Shotwell would likely benefit from an improved design for the south facade, so that the 9000+ neighbors who live on Bernal’s north slope will feel better about gazing upon it for decades to come. We’ll find out what MEDA has in mind at the Big Reveal, 6 pm on Tuesday night at BHNC.

Front Porch Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary With Street Party

/ Todd_Lappin

frontporchparty

Yesterday, the Front Porch restaurant on 29th Street in the La Lengua Autonomous Zone celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Blessedly, even after a decade, neither the primal forces of time nor fire have been able to stop the southern-fried deliciousness that is the Front Porch.

Rebel propagandist Burrito Justice was on the scene for the festivities, and he reported:

The back yards of La Lengua [are] echoing with the sounds of horns and drums and cheering from the Front Porch… Whatever you want to call it, this neighborhood does not suck.

So true. Check out this little video to get a taste of the scene:

Big congrats to Team Front Porch on the anniversary, and thanks for all the good food and warm community you’ve brought to 29th Street.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Courtesy of @BurritoJustice

Lovely Timelapse Video Captures Karl the Fog from Bernal Hill

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

bernalfogust

Fogust is here, which means Karl the Fog is gleefully having his way with us. So while the rest of America is complaining about the heat, we have the great luxury of complaining about the cold.

Jamie Kruse recently got a new GoPro, and he decided to experiment with it by shooting a sexy little timelapse video on Bernal Hill:

It’s frigid up on that hill. Next time I’m bringing something warm to drink and a little more patience 😉

Jamie suffered so you can watch from the warmth and comfort of wherever you happen to be.  Enjoy:

Gunpoint Robbery Rattles Neighbors in Northeast Bernal

/ Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

CrimeSceneSamoset2

Neighbor A. was robbed at gunpoint on Samoset Street in northeast Bernal on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at about 9:20 pm. Residents of the area say this is the third such incident there in recent months.

Neighbor A. tells Bernalwood:

It happened front of 27 Samoset. Two men out of a car, with two other men in the car. White four door. The one carrying the gun wore a black hat and jacket with jeans.

The one who grabbed me pointed the gun at my chest and said he was going to shoot me if I did not comply. After the robbery they headed north on Franconia.

This is the third robbery I’m aware of where a lone woman is walking/biking either up Alabama to our block or around Esmeralda to our block. Car sees the woman, drives around, people unload to jump her, then heads away usually North on Franconia.

I’ve been emailing with Sgt Chou about the getaway car. I’ve asked what the police strategy/plan is, but have not heard back yet.

Here’s a video of the perps captured from a neighbor’s security camera, with the white getaway car visible across the street. If you recognize the men, or have any further information, please contact the Sgt. Chou at SFPD Ingleside via (415) 404-4000.

Crowdfunding for Esmeralda Slide Park Artwork Now Tantalizingly Close to Goal

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments
Rendering of proposed mosaic

Rendering of proposed mosaic

As you may recall, there’s a crowdfunding effort now underway to raise $14,000 to install a very cool mosaic at the spiffy new Esmeralda Slide Park plaza. As we write this now, the effort has already raised $13,158, so if you haven’t contributed yet — or even if you have — now is the time to contribute.

Neighbor Nancy, one of the superstar volunteers who has been organizing the Esmeralda slides renovation project, writes:

We have less than $1,000 needed to reach our target.

[mosaic artist Rachel Rodi] came to Esmeralda last week for her first site visit to see where “The Locator” will be installed in the Plaza. She loved the surroundings, especially the pepper tree that lords over the Plaza. Between our concept design and the inspiration Rachel got from her visit, she’s eager to create a mosaic tile that will knock our socks off!

We’re giving Rachel her 50% deposit this week so she can order the tiles and put “The Locator” on her fall schedule.

If you haven’t yet donated, NOW is the time. We’d like to close the campaign down within the next couple of weeks knowing we have all the funds to pay Rachel.

To all of you who have donated…..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Let’s do this! Please contribute now, right here, to help make this mosaic come to life at the fabulous Esmeralda Slide Park.

PHOTO: via the GoFundMe page

Fire-Damaged Cole Hardware and Playa Azul Demolished

/ Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

colehardwaredemo

It wasn’t with a bang, but with a whimper.

Yesterday, the Mission Street buildings that once housed Cole Hardware and Playa Azul — structures that were hollowed-out by the devastating fire last June — were finally demolished.

Neighbor Valerie took the blue-sky photo above later in the day, when work was wrapping up. Yet earlier in the morning, Neighbor William shared these photos taken just as the demolition was getting underway:

coledemo2
colehardwaredemo3It’s a sad (if inevitable) spectacle, and the void that’s left behind is a glaring symbol of the sadness many Bernalese feel at the loss of two esteemed neighborhood institutions.

PHOTOS: Top, Neighbor Valerie. Below, Neighbor William

Tuesday: SFMTA to Consider Revisions to Mission Street “Red Carpet” Rules

/ Todd_Lappin / 8 Comments

redbollards

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 16, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency Board will consider some proposed updates to the “red carpet” lanes installed recently on Mission Street to provide more rapid Muni bus service. The red carpets have been very popular among transit riders, but some Mission Street merchants have expressed concern that the revised traffic flows have been bad for business.

Here’s what the SFMTA has in mind:

We recognize [the red carpet] was a big change for the Mission, and it’s our priority to make it work for everyone. Already we’ve made several changes to enhance the project and make traffic flow more smoothly. We will be recommending a few more changes to improve traffic circulation, which will be heard at the next SFMTA Board of Directors meeting. The SFMTA commits to continuing to monitor Mission Street to ensure the project goals are achieved.

Mission Street Changes at SFMTA Board
August 16, 2016
Mission item will be heard at 3:00 PM
City Hall Room 400
If you are unable to attend, submit comments to MTABoard@sfmta.com.

The following changes will be recommended for legislation by the SFMTA Board of Directors:

  • Removing two of the required right turns on Mission at 26th and 22nd. This will allow vehicles to travel four blocks on Mission before encountering a required right turn, making it easier to access businesses and find parking along the street. We expect this change to improve traffic circulation without increasing through traffic or delaying bus riders.
  • Relocating the outbound Cortland stop to the nearside of the intersection. Moving the bus stop nearside will improve boarding ease for Muni riders.
  • Exempting taxis from the left turn restriction at 21st Street. This exemption, in the middle of the Mission corridor, will provide more options for taxis to reach their destinations.

The recommended changes are the result of a series of community engagement activities to discuss how the new street design is being perceived by neighborhood residents, bus riders, motorists and others using Mission Street. Staff worked closely with community members, Muni riders, neighborhood organizations and other non-profit organizations, as well as David Campos, District 9 Supervisor. Outreach activities included several small group discussions, a community hearing (summary of comments heard is available here), merchant walks and an intercept survey of 1,400 people on Mission Street.

That SFMTA survey is interesting, because it underscores the extent to which the data about how shoppers get to Mission Street diverges from what merchants believe about their customers. In an article that looked at this question, Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez from the San Francisco Examiner wrote:

The recent SFMTA survey of people in the Mission — conducted June 28, June 29 and July 9 — found that 69 percent of 1,400 respondents went to the Mission by public transit.

Those surveyed arrived to eat, drink, visit friends and work. But the largest group surveyed — about 350 people — was there to shop.

Specifically, the SFMTA said 76 percent of surveyed shoppers “usually” take transit, and 10 percent drive.

Merchants, however, disagree that most shoppers take transit.

Michael Gardner, the 42-year president of Siegel’s Clothing Superstore & Tuxedos on Mission Street, felt the survey was all wrong.

“This just doesn’t make sense to me. It just can’t be right,” he said.

For Bernal Heights residents,  the mandatory right turn on Mission Street northbound at Cesar Chavez has been a particular point of concern. The SFMTA’s FAQ explains why the mandatory turn at Cesar Chavez will remain in place:

Why aren’t you removing the required right turn at Cesar Chavez?

We heard many requests to remove the required right turn at Cesar Chavez Street, which some feel acts as a barrier to two neighborhoods. This was a difficult decision. Doing so would make traffic and transit performance worse on northbound Mission Street than before the project was implemented because one lane of traffic was removed [to create the restricted access lane for Muni buses].

The required turn at Cesar Chavez diverts drivers who drive through Mission toward downtown. Instead, we will address community concerns by removing two of the required right turns at 26th and 22nd to improve access to destinations along Mission without congesting the street with traffic looking for a fast way downtown.

PHOTO: Top, a worker installs flexible bollards to prevent traffic from crossing Mission Street at Cesar Chavez, April 7, 2015. Photo by Telstar Logistics

Planning Commission Unanimously Approves New Housing Proposal

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

1515svness.aug16

Late last week, the San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposal by Lennar Corp. to build 157 units of mixed-income housing at 1515 South Van Ness (at 26th Street), at the foot of Bernal’s north slope.

The Lennar proposal, which was first proposed two years ago, was approved in the Planning Commission after a 6-0 vote. It will replace the former McMillan Electric warehouse  at the corner of South Van Ness and 26th, which was originally built as a dealership for Lesher-Muirhead Oldsmobile:

The approved plan for 1515 South Van Ness features  a new, 65-foot tall building that includes 157 residential units and 81 basement parking spaces. At street-level on 26th Street, the new building will provide 5,241 square feet of commercial space intended for small-scale “maker” workshop or artist use.

1515SVnsitemap

1515svnsiteplan2

Negotiations with housing opponents resulted in two late changes to the project. First, it was agreed that the project would be constructed with union labor. Second, the quantity of subsidized-affordable housing in the complex was expanded from 12% to 25%.

Despite the unanimous vote in the Planning Commission, it’s still possible housing opponents will leverage their close ties to outgoing D9 Supervisor David Campos to appeal the project at the Board of Supervisors. MissionLocal reports:

The below-market-rate units at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. would be reserved for both low and moderate-income tenants. Fifteen percent of the total units would be available to those making up to 55 percent of area median income, or $53,300 for a family of three, while the remaining 10 percent would go to those making up to 100 percent of area median income, or $96,950 for a family of three.

Speakers [at the Planning Commission Meeting[ were divided roughly half in support and half against, some saying the project was just one of many needed in San Francisco to curb soaring rental costs and put a dent in the city’s — and neighborhood’s — housing crunch.

“As much as some folks might want, it is not possible to address the Mission District’s housing problem by putting a wall around [the neighborhood],” said Tim Colen, the departing director of the Housing Action Coalition, a pro-development advocacy group.

Planning commissioners heeded those calls on Thursday, saying the project had reached a good affordability level and approving it unanimously. Negotiations will continue between opponents and the developer, and opponents said they were not sure whether they would appeal the project but hoped to avoid the step and reach a deal instead.

Saturday: Here Is Your Official 2016 Hillwide Garage Sale Treasure Map

/ Todd_Lappin

hillwide2016map

This is your moment, Bernal Heights craphounds treasure-hunters!

That magical time of year is here. On Saturday, August 13, you should stuff your pockets with wads of petty cash and load that bootlegged copy of Amazon Prime’s route-optimization software onto your smartphone. The 2016 Bernal Hillwide Garage Sale starts at 9 am on Saturday , so it’s time to map out your plan of attack!

Here’s the latest update from the magical elves in the Hillwide Garage Sale Command Center:

Total Garages Registered = 122
Total Funds Raised = $2790

Thanks to everyone for rallying to the cause, we’ve raised almost $1000 in additional donations for BHNC in the last 5 days. That is something to be proud of 🙂

It’s definitely not too late to join the party that will descend on the [Saturday] tomorrow morning at 9am.

CLICK HERE to register for the Hillwide and The Elves will be working their magic to get you on The Map in plenty of time.

You can register as late as midnight tonight (Friday August 12th).

AND, if we can raise just $275 more we will break our record-breaking-year from last year. Just by a few dollars, but it would feel SO good!

Federal Loans Offered for Merchants Recovering from Mission Street Fire

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

colesvalerie

There’s some encouraging news for merchants working to rebuild their businesses after last June’s devastating Cole Hardware fire — and the customers who  miss them.

In addition to the $10,000 grant each business has already received from the City, the federal government’s Small Business Administration is also offering low-interest disaster-relief loans to help shuttered businesses reopen.

Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez from the San Francisco Examiner reports:

The U.S. Small Business Administration on Wednesday declared the five-alarm fire June 28 at Mission and 29th streets, which displaced at least seven businesses and 40 residents and families, a “disaster” in response to a request from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

The declaration, also urged by the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, is a special status allowing the Small Business Administration to make federal assistance available.

That assistance comes in the form of disaster loans, allowing the businesses affected by the blaze up to $2 million to replace or repair damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment or other business assets.

The Mayor’s Office is coordinating with Keane’s 3300 Club, El Gran Taco Loco, Playa Azul Seafood, Coronitas, the Front Porch, and Harvest Shop to access available funds.

The families and individuals displaced from a nearby apartment building and the Graywood Hotel, a single-room occupancy hotel, will be able to take out $40,000 loans for damaged or destroyed personal property.

Though these are loans and not grants, “certainly any additional capital they have access to will give them ability to get going again sooner,” said Bijan Karimi, assistant deputy director of the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.

PHOTO: Former site of Cole Hardware, July 16, 2016, photographed by Neighbor Valerie

Nutes Noodles Seeking Permanent Place at 903 Cortland

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

903cortlanda

Pastafarians and multicultural noodle-freaks, rejoice! Nute’s Noodles, the Asian-infused  noodle soup and ramen restaurant that has long been doing pop-ups inside the space at 903 Cortland, now plans to become a permanent restaurant at (you guessed it) 903 Cortland.

Sarah Fritsche from Inside Scoop got the inside scoop:

Inside Scoop reached out to [chef Nute] Chulasuwan, who confirmed that she is indeed in the process of buying the Bernal Heights space from [former Sandbox Bakery owner Mutsumi] Takehara. (Also listed on the ABC license are partners Makiko Nakagawara and Supreeya Pongkasem.)

Chulasuwan says that the new incarnation of the space will be a continuation of her popular noodle pop-ups, which currently run four nights a week. For more details on what to expect from the forthcoming restaurant, check out Chulasuwan’s menu, which feature Thai noodle dishes, including a promising version of Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup called Khao Soi, as well as Japanese-inspired ramen.

Chulasuwan says that the transfer will take a couple of months, but she hopes to open the restaurant by September.

IMAGE: 903 Cortland by Telstar Logistics

Supervisor Campos Seeks to Revive Mission Moratorium on New Housing

/ Todd_Lappin / 36 Comments
Site of proposed housing at 1515 South Van Ness, photographed on August 9, 2016

Site of proposed housing at 1515 South Van Ness, photographed on August 9, 2016

Less than a year ago, in November 2015, San Francisco voters were asked to vote on Proposition I, the Mission Moratorium, which sought to suspend construction of new market-rate housing in the Mission District. On election day, however, voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop I, by a 57% margin.

Yesterday, however, MissionLocal broke the story that District 9 Supervisor David Campos now seeks to ignore the results of the Prop I vote and implement the Mission Moratorium through the Planning Department and the Board of Supervisors. MissionLocal writes:

In a letter sent to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, Campos urged commissioners to delay all projects in the [Calle24] Latino Cultural District, which is bounded by Potrero Avenue and Mission Street between 22nd and Cesar Chavez streets.

Campos singled out for delay three housing developments planned for the Mission District that would would bring in 293 units of mostly market-rate housing in the next few years. All three are being opposed by neighborhood activists, who say they would worsen gentrification in the district.

“These and several market-rate projects in and next to the cultural district could transform the district and threaten to displace long-time residents, businesses, and non-profits,” Campos wrote. “The Planning Department should consider the impacts of these projects on the Latino Cultural District and develop measures that will mitigate those impacts.”

That area was designated a “Latino cultural and commercial district” by San Francisco in 2014, a largely symbolic proclamation. Calle 24, the neighborhood and merchants association, hoped that designation would lead to construction guidelines down the road with more legal standing.

Now, Campos and others are acting on those wishes, crafting legislation that will be introduced to the Board of Supervisors later this year to specify the kinds of development that should be allowed in the neighborhood.

Campos wants the Planning Department to study the effects of market-rate housing on the district, specifying the potential effects on neighborhood businesses, residential displacement, rental affordability, and “the Latino community.”

This is a strange request, not least because it would exceed the legal mandate of the the Calle24 Cultural District, which does not include any development guidelines, ethnic quotas, or demographic requirements. Regardless, MissionLocal reports that Erick Arguello, a Mission District landlord and power-broker who leads the Calle24 group, opposes the creation of new market-rate housing projects, even when they meet city-mandated requirements for subsidized-affordable units.

The three housing proposals that would be impacted by Supervisor Campos’s revived Mission moratorium are 157 units at 1515 South Van Ness (at 26th St.), 117 units at 2675 Folsom St. (at 23rd St.), and 19 units at 2600 Harrison (at 22nd St.). All three sites are currently occupied by empty warehouse-style buildings, and construction of new housing on these sites would not displace any existing residents.

In a 2015 study on the potential impact of the Proposition I Mission moratorium, San Francisco’s chief economist concluded there is “no reason to believe that either a temporary moratorium, or an indefinite prohibition, of market rate housing will reduce the number of upper- income residents in the Mission, or slow the process of gentrification.”

Watch Our Coyote Neighbor Play with a Ball on Bernal Hill

/ Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

coyotefrolic

Oh hey. Did your dog lose a ball on the southestern side of Bernal Hill? Because the Bernal Coyote found one — and had a lot of fun with it.

During one of his recent early-morning dog walks, Neighbor Rally filmed the Bernal Coyote mid-frolic, as the critter played with a ball. Just watch:

So cute! Just as a reminder: Please read these expert tips on how to co-exist sustainably with our Neighbor Coyote, to ensure we can enjoy his/her company for many moons to come.

VIDEO: Courtesy of Neighbor Rally