Author Archives: BCNA Board

Action on Key Projects:

• Engaged with city officials and groups on waterfront development. Placed high priority on advocacy regarding the Port’s proposed Affordable Housing project at 88 Broadway (Broadway and Front streets). Served on developer selection committee, resulting in plans for one family building of about 130 units and one seniors building of about 52 units, with 24 family units and 7 senior units designated for moderate-income and middle-income households. Both buildings comply with the existing 65-foot height limit, with active retail and community serving spaces on all four sides, pedestrian walkways separating the buildings, and minimal parking spaces on the ground floor.
• Met regularly with representatives of Teatro ZinZanni to review project concepts for the Broadway and the Embarcadero. Addressed meeting of Port Commission that unanimously approved the Teatro ZinZanni plans, supporting that approval.
• Submitted official comments on the Port’s Waterfront Land Use Plan (WLUP) review that included comments on various projects and supporting more planning & dialogue with the neighborhood.
• Hosted an information session for members and others to hear representatives of the Port and developer Jamestown about the development of the bulkhead building at Pier 29 at which neighbors were able to ask questions and voice concerns.
• Submitted opposition to Broadway clubs’ (Centerfold, Penthouse) application for extended closing time (4 am).

Represented the Neighborhood:

• Continued our strong relationship with our District Supervisor, Aaron Peskin. Contacted him on various issues including affordable housing and loss of neighborhood serving retail.
• Served on the Community Police Advisory Board – CPAB providing a formal channel for neighborhood concerns and feedback on crime and safety issues.
• Served on the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group – NEWAG, which provides input to the Port on various activities and projects of interest to the neighborhood.
• Participated in meetings of the Waterfront Design Advisory Committee related to Port and neighborhood projects.
• Participated with the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods – CSFN to address issues common to the city’s neighborhoods.

 Sponsored Forums and Information:

• Cosponsored with Golden Gateway Tenants Association an informational forum on the Planning Department’s Urban Design Guidelines.
• Sponsored an Informational Forum on 2016 State and Local Ballot Propositions featuring State Assemblyman David Chiu and District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin
• Published online updates chronicling issues that matter most to Barbary Coasters, including the 88 Broadway affordable housing project and a public forum held jointly by Assemblyman David Chiu and supervisor Aaron Peskin.
• Expanded BCNA communications through a new website (http://www.bcnasf.org ), email address (bcna@bcnasf.org ) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/bcnasf )

Engaged With Members and the Community:

• Held regular neighborhood “Sunday Social” events, introducing Barbary Coasters to restaurants and lounges in our area, giving them a chance to meet and mingle.
• Hosted historical walking tours in the Barbary Coast by SF Historical Society tour guide.
• Continued our affiliate relationship with the Golden Gateway Tenants Association to broaden membership and expand the reach of BCNA representation and communications.
• Planned informational forums in 2017 on neighborhood developments—88 Broadway, Teatro Zinzanni, and more—stay tuned!

By Bill Hannan, GGTA President and BCNA Secretary

On January 12, 2017, I represented the Golden Gateway Tenants Association (GGTA) and Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association (BCNA) at a District 3 meeting at City Hall of neighborhood group representatives with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) staff members. 

The two-hour meeting was called by Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s aide Lee Hepner. Present were five MTA staffers and about 25 representatives of neighborhood or merchant groups, including Stan Hayes and Howard Wong for Telegraph Hill Dwellers, and a representative of a Russian Hill neighborhood group. Aaron Peskin made opening remarks and attended throughout.

We were given 5-by-7-inch pieces of paper and invited to write two concerns on them. My two were:

1. RESTORE BUS LINE 10 TO FULL ROUTE
2. EMBARCADERO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

• Bikes?
• Overpass?

About 30 of these pieces of paper were posted on a wall. Much time was devoted to the relative placement of the pages. There were about five for pedestrian safety or senior citizen safety. Other pages included general policy goals such as good planning and uncrowded buses that run on time. There were a few specific items such as an intersection redesign on Columbus Avenue, and reopening lower Stockton Street after the Central Subway is completed.

After brief review of some posted concerns, discussion moved to how MTA should conduct planning/outreach/communications. Several participants stated that MTA outreach is often done only after much preliminary planning and expense, so that projects have acquired momentum and are difficult to stop or change by the time neighborhood groups are informed. Aaron Peskin advised that the SF Planning Department does a good job of community outreach, and that MTA might benefit from copying the Planning Department’s outreach.

MTA distributed a list of 14 pending projects. Please contact GGTA if you want a copy of the list. One project of likely interest to GGTA and BCNA members is the Embarcadero Enhancement Project, which is a redesign of the Embarcadero roadway to provide a “bikeway” and “separate and clearly defined areas for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.” Also on the list are a possible extension of Central Subway to the north, and safety improvements along Columbus Avenue.

We were told we will be sent a follow-up solicitation for further comments to MTA, and we were asked how often we want to return for future meetings. Nearly everyone in the room voted to return for meetings once a month. Our groups will seek to recruit a volunteer to attend meetings, or to work with MTA on an alternative way to be kept informed of the Embarcadero Enhancement Project.

There will be an open house for the Mission Rock project (aka Seawall Lot 337 & Pier 48, aka Giants Parking Lot A) on Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 6-8 pm at the Port of San Francisco, Pier 1 Embarcadero, Bayside Rooms. Neighbors are invited to come and hear more about Mission Rock, a unique partnership between the Port of San Francisco and the San Francisco Giants. A culmination of nearly ten years of neighborhood outreach and community planning, Mission Rock will transform a surface parking lot into parks and open space, rental homes (40% affordable to low- and middle- income households), and more! For information, contact info@missionrock.com or visit http://www.missionrock.com.