BCNA

On June 29, the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association hosted a walking tour led by member Ron Kaufman. Ron is intimately familiar with the history and redevelopment of San Francisco’s Northeast waterfront, having played a significant role.

In the 1950s and ’60s, the prevailing view was that San Francisco’s older neighborhoods should be completely leveled and rebuilt from scratch. One by one, the neighborhood’s old warehouses were being torn down. Ron, then a young real estate broker, had a vision for the city’s waterfront. If only someone cared enough (and could find the funds) to rescue the magnificent old brick buildings. In 1959, Ron was working with National Ice and Cold Storage on Union Street. The owners asked him to “do something” with their historic building. Ron teamed with Leonard Cahn, a real estate investor, and the old Ice and Cold Storage building ushered in the restoration of the Northeast waterfront. It was the first of many and became Ron’s life work. In all he rehabilitated more than 25 buildings.

Read about the fascinating history of San Francisco’s waterfront and the stories behind some of our neighborhood’s most familiar and beloved buildings, as well as Ron’s work to save them, in The Old North Waterfront: A History and Rebirth of a San Francisco Neighborhood. Buy now using the Amazon link below, and BCNA will receive a small donation from your purchase.

The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association held its annual meeting on June 9, 2019. More than 40 members and guests turned out for the gathering at 101 Lombard. President Diana Taylor provided an overview of BCNA’s many accomplishments during the past year, which included hosting numerous social events, walking tours, informational forums, and safety trainings; representing the neighborhood in local organizations such as the Coalition of San Francisco Neighborhoods, Port Advisory Groups, and the Police Advisory Committee; providing key input on major development projects such as 88 Broadway and Teatro Zinzanni; and advocating for our neighborhood on public issues such as increased city funding and resources for traffic enforcement and homeless outreach, and opposing extended hours for nightclubs and 4 AM last call legislation. For more details, see BCNA’s accomplishments in 2018-19.

Special guests Supervisor Aaron Peskin and Judy Lee from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services also spoke at the meeting. Supervisor Peskin answered audience questions on subjects including public safety, homelessness, bond financing, and storefront vacancies. Both speakers invited residents to contact them with concerns: Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org and Judy.Lee@sfgov.org. We urge members to speak up!

At the meeting, BCNA members also elected the Board of Directors for the upcoming year: David Albert, Adam Bergman, Bill Hannan, Bob Harrer, Michele Hennessey, Lee Robbins, Karen Scarr, Jim Seff, Dean Sereni, and Diana Taylor. You can learn more about our BCNA Board 2019-20.

BCNA’s efforts continue to make a real difference to the quality of life in the Barbary Coast. We can only be as strong and effective as our numbers, so please support BCNA by becoming a member and encourage your neighbors to join, too. We all have a stake in improving our neighborhood!

Neighbors are cordially invited to celebrate the groundbreaking of 88 Broadway and 735 Davis on Tuesday, July 9 at 12:15 PM, hosted by the project sponsors. RSVP here.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019
12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(Program begins at 12:30 p.m.)
Location: 88 Broadway

88 Broadway will provide 125 apartments for families earning 30% -120% of Area Median Income (AMI) and 735 Davis will provide 53 apartments for seniors earning 30% -70% of AMI. Some of the family apartments will be supported by Project-Based Section 8 Vouchers and some of the senior apartments will be supported by a Local Operating Support Program (LOSP) subsidy for formerly homeless individuals. Supportive services will be provided by Lutheran Social Services.

The developments collectively will feature approximately 10,500 square feet of retail/commercial space targeted to neighborhood-serving uses, including a 55-slot mixed-income childcare center to be operated by the YMCA of San Francisco. There will also be a 9,500 sf mid-block paseo that will be publicly accessible between the two sites, with beautiful landscaping and seating.

Co-Developers: BRIDGE Housing Corporation, The John Stewart Company
General Contractor: Cahill Contractors
Architect: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
Commercial Broker: Cushman & Wakefield
Financial Partners for Both Developments: San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Bank of America, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. For 88 Broadway only: Barings Multifamily Capital LLC. For 735 Davis only: Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (AHP)
Ground Lease Partners: For 88 Broadway: The Port of San Francisco. For 735 Davis: San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development