Quint Street Bridge Replacement Update

The Transportation Authority is working closely with Caltrain, along with several City agencies, to coordinate progress on Caltrain’s planned replacement of the rail bridge over Quint Street with a berm, which will close through access under the tracks, and the development of a new street to connect Quint Street with Jerrold Avenue on the west side of the Caltrain tracks. These two projects have been designed to accommodate a possible future Caltrain station at Oakdale Avenue.

At the meetings listed below, the following topics will be covered:

Condition report on the existing rail bridge over Quint Street
Status updates on the bridge replacement project and Quint-Jerrold Connector Road
Efforts to maximize contracting and job opportunities for local workers and disadvantaged businesses
Project timelines and schedule changes

Next steps
SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS

Southern Waterfront Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 30, 6pm
EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park, 32 Jennings Street

Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee
Monday, May 12, 6pm
Southeast Community Facility, 1800 Oakdale Avenue, Alex J. Pitcher Room

Southeast Community Facility Commission
Wednesday, June 11, 6pm
Southeast Community Facility, 1800 Oakdale Avenue, Alex J. Pitcher Room

Bayview Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee
Meeting date to be determined.

In addition, the Board of Supervisors is expected to host hearings in May and June regarding Caltrain’s requested vacation of Quint Street, although the street would not close until construction begins in 2015.

Participatory Budget Kickoff Meeting #2 tonight

A reminder that this is ONLY for District 3, 7, and 10 residents ($100K per district).

At the first D10 kickoff meeting this past weekend, ideas that floated to the top were: wrapping utility boxes in art; safety measures for seniors on MUNI; streetscape improvements; shuttle share program in Vis Valley.  Evidently, we're only able to use the web form at http://sfpb.net/ to submit one idea per home address. Despite this, since I had a couple of ideas, I submitted others to the email address provided on the website. The ideas I submitted were:

1. provide initial funding to new community gardens, such as that at the Palou Community Garden 
2. streetscape improvements to Industrial St, including adding new crosswalks at four intersections, bulbouts, pedestrian islands, bike lanes, and stop signs at Revere 
3. expand SFShines to provide grants for facade improvements at neighborhood corner stores, such as Mike's Market on Silver at Revere (Silver Terrace) and Five Mile Market on San Bruno Ave (Vis Valley). 

The next steps for District 10 are:

• Kickoff meeting #2 Wednesday, April 2, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; California College of the Arts, 350 Kansas Street.  Same format as the one on Saturday in Visitacion Valley, where people will be split into groups and will brainstorm ideas
• Residents can submit their ideas via the website at http://sfpb.net/ until April 15. When an idea is submitted, the City's budget office will go over it and determine whether it is feasible or not within the framework of this program.
• ideas that are deemed feasible will be returned to residents at the vetting meeting on April 17 at the Southeast Community Facility, 1800 Oakdale Ave (6-7:30PM).
• ideas that make it through that meeting will be sent out to residents throughout District 10 to be voted upon. We'll be given a window of time to do it in and the projects that get the most votes (one vote per resident) will be funded.

If you want funds to be spent in your neighborhood, you have to vote. Be prepared to get your neighbors to vote, go door to door if you have to, and help get funds directed your way.

Projects that are funded will get a minimum of $5K and a maximum of $25K. If you have an idea, please submit it to http://sfpb.net/

If you want a second pair of eyes to read through your completed draft before you submit an idea, I'm happy to take a look and give you feedback (that you can use or not as you see fit).

Yee Corruption Case Hits Bayview

From SFGate,

State Sen. Leland Yee was arrested on public corruption charges Wednesday morning in a federal investigation... 

Also in custody was San Francisco political consultant Keith Jackson, a former San Francisco school board member... [with] huge ties to the Bayview.  

Among the locations being searched by FBI evidence response teams and the IRS was Bay Steel Inc. on Davidson Avenue in the Bayview neighborhood...

Keith Jackson

According to a since-removed page from Singer Associates website, Keith Jackson was a senior consultant at the firm who specialized in "developing community and grassroots campaigns for corporations...[and] in facilitating complex public affairs and communications issues that relate to community, business, and government."

Mr. Jackson has a long history of doing good in the Bayview, including his time as a member of the San Francisco School Board and once serving as executive director for the San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce and Hunters Point Boys and Girls Club.

UPDATE:

According to the complaint affidavit, Mr. Jackson was a consultant to the Chee Kung Tong organization, and was introduced to an undercover FBI agent by the organization's leader and purported supreme authority in the internationally-based Chinese crime syndicate known as the Triad, Raymond "Shrimpboy" Chow.  Senator Yee and Mr. Jackson are alleged to have been "involved in a scheme to defraud the citizens of California of their rights to honest services... [and] were involved in a conspiracy to traffic firearms."  It alleges the Mr. Jackson was further "involved in a scheme to defraud of honest services, a murder for hire conspiracy, gun trafficking, and drug trafficking conspiracy."  Jackson's son, Brandon Jamelle Jackson, is also named in the affidavit, accused of murder for hire conspiracy, gun trafficking, and drug trafficking conspiracy.

The affidavit is pretty compelling reading, to be sure, and is all about guns, drugs, money and influence.

Senator Yee and Mr. Jackson are charged with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 and 1346 (Wire Fraud of Honest Services); Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 922(a)(1) and 922(I) (Conspiracy to Deal Firearms Without a License and to Illegally Import Firearms).  Mr. Jackson is additionally charged with violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958 (Murder for Hire).

The way I read the sentencing statutes, both face several years in prison, even if convicted on only one of the counts brought against them.

Bike Bayview

Bike Bayview Neighborhood Commute  Fri., Mar. 21 | 7:45AM (depart 8AM)| Mendell Plaza, Palou at 3rd St Join your neighbors for a 3rd Friday bike commute from the Bayview. Meet new people and make your commute a little more fun! All skill levels welcome. Split off at 16th St to either head toward Civic Center via 7th St or toward the Embarcadero via AT&T Park. Event Details

Easter Egg Hunt

All Good Pizza and the tireless Leah Pimentel will be hosting an inaugural Easter Egg hunt this year in the Bayview.

Sunday, April 13, 2014
11:00am
Children's art table, games,
sweet treats, live music, and prizes

More info available at the event's Facebook page.

All Good Pizza
1605 Jerrold Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
1605 Jerrold Avenue at 3rd street
www.allgoodpizza.com

Sponsors: Bayview Footprints

Hosted by All Good Pizza and Leah Pimentel

Bayview Opera House Renovations Begin

Bayview Opera House
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
Wednesday, March 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Meet at 4705 Third Street

Join Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Malia Cohen, the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Bayview community for a groundbreaking ceremony. Help us make history at the construction kick off for the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre building renovations and community plaza. The new plaza will feature a number of amenities to energize the outdoor program area so that it is transformed into a multi-purpose and welcoming cultural hub.

Please note that during construction, the Bayview Opera House will operate from a temporary location at 4702 Third Street. Tel: 415-824-0386 Web: bvoh.org

Bayview Opera House construction renderings are courtesy of Tom Eliot Fisch Architecture Firm and Hood Design.

$1.4M in the Bayview

From SFGate,

Address: 1525 Jerrold Ave., San Francisco. 

Asking price: $1.395 million. 

Description: This remastered Victorian in the Bayview neighborhood has seven bedrooms and four bathrooms with contemporary finishes, while the structure retains period details like the intricate portico and facade.

More at SFGate

Bayview Connect

The Bayview Opera House (BVOH) and Bayview Underground Food Scene (BUFS) cordially invite you to a social gathering of Bayview residents, artists, organizations. This will be the last CONNECT event at the BVOH location for a while as we are closing for a year-long renovation project - Bayview Connect is about...

* Connecting with one another
* Finding out what other groups and individuals are doing
* Sharing information about upcoming Bayview events
* Providing input and suggestion to the BVOH

We will have arts activities for kids - so please bring them!

Bayview CONNECT is a time to socialize, eat and drink together and enjoy beautiful music.

Featuring a brief presentation by
Tom DeCaigny, Director of Cultural Affairs, SF Arts Commission

Live music

Socialize • Eat • Drink • Kids Make Art
Provide your input to the BVOH - we are ready to listen to your ideas!

Please feel free to pass this invitation on to other Bayview residents who you think would also like to connect!

Get tickets at bayviewconnect.eventbrite.com

This event is part of the Bayview Town Center Activation Project, a program of the Bayview Opera House, and is supported by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the San Francisco Arts Commission, Andrea Baker Consulting and Supervisor Malia Cohen.

FREE BAYVIEW ZUMBA!

Keep up with your New Year's Resolutions. Take advantage of free exercise classes in our community!

EVERY WEDNESDAY - 6-7PM
ZUMBA @ CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1360 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco, CA
For More Info: (415) 822-7500 x29, bayview.healzone@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Bayview HEAL Zone.

EVERY THURSDAY - 6-7PM
ZUMBA @ BVHP YMCA
1601 Lane Street, San Francisco, CA
For more info: (415) 822-7728

EVERY SATURDAY IN JANUARY & MARCH - 9:30-10:30AM
ZUMBA @ BCA/RAFIKI WELLNESS
601 Cesar Chavez St. (Between 3rd St & Pier 80)
For more info: (415) 615-9945, mmatthews@bcoa.org
(In February there is Afro Hip Hop Dance!)

h/t A. Tacdol

Another boat dumped off the shores of D10

Reminds me of the houseboat that was dumped and left to sink off the shores of India basin a year-and-a-half ago.

From SFGate,

Boat near Candlestick stuck in muck - and bureaucracy 

A boat that sits half-sunk off the coast of Candlestick Point State Recreation Area in San Francisco is stuck in more than just sand and rocks - it's caught in a quagmire of bureaucracy.

The 20-foot cabin cruiser has been gathering rust for weeks, serving as nothing more than an eyesore and seagull rest stop.

Hilltop Park Renovation Community Meeting

Two years ago, the Bayview community came together to design a concept
plan for Hilltop Park.

Now, with funding, the park renovation is going to be a reality! Join us for the kick off meeting to learn about the project and how you can be involved in this excellent community park! All ages welcome
Refreshments served

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
THURS, JAN 23, 2014 | 6-8PM
1250 LA SALLE AVE,
SF BAYVIEW ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER

http://sfrecpark.org/rec-park- news/park-improvements-news/ hilltop-park-renovation-news/

h/t M. Severance

Campos & Chiu Social Mixer

Join a Social Mixer and Q&A with Supervisors David Campos and David Chiu at the Bayview Pop-Up Market.  Both are seeking to represent State Assembly District 17 including the Bayview, Visitacion Valley, Potrero Hill, and Portola.   BYDSF will hold a short meeting shortly following the Q&A.

Thursday, Feb 13 6:00 PM Bayview Opera House

Q&A - begins at 6:00 PM

About the Bayview Underground Food Scene: The Community Pop-Up Market is a weekly place where local food and crafts vendors, from the Bayview and beyond, sample and sell a wide variety of goods. Including: Auntie April’s classic soul food * Beautiful You organic beauty products * Comfort Foods National healthy comfort food * Earl’s Bread & Brittle * Eji’s Ethiopian food * Fox & Lion hearty breads * Gratta Wines * Nia Soul afro-caribbean food * SF Honey & Pollen Co. * SF Mead Co. * Yvonne’s Southern Sweets

About BYDSF: An organization built of young professionals, students, and community leaders of all ages who actively advocate for issues facing Black/African American community. As the flagship Democratic club for young Black/African Americans in San Francisco, we work to ensure that our elected officials hear the perspectives of our community through our membership. We believe it is our duty to Engage, Empower, and Inspire.

Gentrification May Actually Be Boon To Longtime Residents

Gentrification (or GentriFUKation, a word I learned a couple of years ago) is a word that is always brought up to describe the negative impacts of neighborhood improvements upon existing residents.  NPR has an interesting article from Morning Edition on the subject, and how it may not be such a bad thing for those very existing residents whom we're told are being hurt by it.

From NPR,

The neighborhood is gentrifying.

That's been a dirty word for 30 years, since the middle and upper classes began returning to many urban cores across the U.S. It brings up images of neighbors forced out of their homes.

But a series of new studies are now showing that gentrifying neighborhoods may be a boon to longtime residents as well — and that those residents may not be moving out after all.

h/t S. Mayer

Come to this week's PopUp Market

What: Pop Up Market in Bayview featuring local artisans from the sunniest side of San Francisco.
When: Every Thursday evening from 5-7:30pm
Where: Bayview Opera House 

Why: Creating a community based food market made by the community for everyone to enjoy.

Food:

Earl's Bread - whole grain naturally fermented doughs.
Comfort Foods National - healthy gourmet chicken salad packaged and ready to serve
Yvonne's Sweet Creations - old school recipe pralines and cookies
Gratta Wines - wines made in Bayview from Teldeschi Vineyard old vines.
Fox & Lion - artisan breads using fresh milled locally sourced grains                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Nia Soul  - grilled half chicken with peas & rice and black eye peas, packaged to order and ready to serve for dinner.
San Francisco Honey & Pollen Company  - local honey & products made from honey
Auntie April's Kitchen - soul food directly from April's Bayview Kitchen
Beautiful You -  reinventing beauty supplies

Facebook Events link:  Bayview Community PopUp Market

Heron's Head

7x7 has a really nice photo essay on Heron's Head Park...

Check it out here.

Bike Bayview

Thanks to all who came out for a ride today! Couldn't have asked for a better group, and hope that our numbers only continue to grow as more cyclists in the Southeast join future rides.

Sneak peek: Mayor Ed Lee has a housing solution

From SFGate,

Lee will propose a seven-point plan that includes building housing over existing city facilities and doubling the amount of down-payment assistance that the city will provide to middle-income home buyers, up to $200,000. Lee wants 5,000 new homes built or rehabilitated each year over the next six years. 

With the city's economy growing, construction is already speeding up. This year, more than 10,000 housing units are under construction or are holding building permits and are ready to be built, according to city figures. Another 12,000 units are in the permitting pipeline, with an additional 25,000 part of already adopted development plans, Lee's administration said.

Effort eases S.F.'s plight in the battle against blight

From SFGate,

Cohen - whose district includes neighborhoods where these problems are common - has found a way to speed up the process: a code enforcement task force made up of all the departments involved, which meets bimonthly at City Hall to deal with the issues plaguing her district.

Read more at SFGate about what the city and Supervisor Cohen are doing, and of course from the tiresome trolls who can't help putting the Bayview down in the comments section.

Silver Avenue Roadwork

UPDATE: According to SFDPW, road work will begin at the Alemany end of Silver Ave and will progress eastward toward Palou.  While sewer mains will be replaced only in parts that are needed, the entire stretch will be repaved.  The road will be striped the same as it is now.

From SFDPW:

Silver Avenue sewer replacement, water main installation, and pavement renovation project (job order 2067J) 

SFDPW has hired Ranger Pipeline to replace both the water and sewer main along several blocks of Silver Avenue and to repave Silver Avenue between Alemany Blvd and Palou Ave.  Construction will begin in late January, 2014 with completion scheduled for May, 2015.   Not all blocks will be done at once, so it may take a while for them to get to yours.
Street parking will not be possible on the block during contruction work hours.

Vehicles parked on the street during the posted work hours will be towed at the vehicle owner's expense.

Once work has begun, please visit SFDPW for project updates.
Contact DPW at 415-437-7009 or Ranger Piplines at 415-822-3700 (800-876-3778 for 24-hr emergency).

Work hours will be 7AM until 6PM 

Now if only we could get them to do Industrial!

TREES!!!

From the SF Examiner, 

SF makes plan to plant more trees, take responsibility of existing ones.  A cash-strapped city foisted responsibility for the care of thousands of trees on property owners, but a new plan could reverse that.

Read more at the SF Examiner, and then read below to find out how to get your own street tree for just $25!!

From FUF,

Are you still interested in a tree?

If so, exciting news! We here at Friends of the Urban Forest are planning a planting in the Bayview for Saturday, March 1, 2014. Even more exciting: there is extra grant funding for the planting, meaning that trees including 3-years of follow-up pruning and all prep work, are just $25.

I just want to make sure you are all set for the planting and also ask that you pass this info on to any neighbors! Now is your chance to green your whole block, which has been proven to increase property value, reduce traffic speeds, reduce crime and increase beauty!

We only have 2 weeks until the deadline for trees is here, so please get back to me about a tree at your location or to help spread the word to others. We have a bunch of tools/materials that can help you let your neighbors know that they can get a tree, too.

Please pass any questions my way.

Thanks,

Phil Pierce
Community Outreach Coordinator
Friends of the Urban Forest
Office: (415)268-0773
Fax: (415)561-6899

Also, 

Tree Planting, Potrero Hill

January 25, 2014

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Join us to plant street trees in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. No experience needed — we’ll supply tools and guidance. Wear clothes that can get dirty, and bring water to stay hydrated. For details or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Gordon using our contact form.

- See more at: http://fuf.net/get-involved/events/tree-planting-potrero-hill/#sthash.WvtZIaC3.dpuf