Gov. Jerry Brown assures redevelopment funds for Hunters Point are safe

From San Francisco Examiner,

One of the concerns we pointed out in a story on Sunday about a city effort to rebuild eight of San Francisco’s most decrepit public housing developments was that one of the sites, Alice Griffith, depended on $40 million in matching redevelopment funds.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to cut redevelopment funds, however, led to some major concerns over major projects that have been years in the making -- such as the development of the old naval shipyard at Hunters Point.

But Brown’s office has come forward to assure Mayor Ed Lee and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom that The City’s plans for Bayview-Hunters Point can still count on the Redevelopment Agency for funding.

“As you know, our newest governor has decided or has a proposal out to eliminate redevelopment agencies,” said Karen Finn, a manager in Brown’s Department of Finance, in a statement. “But I think you’ve also heard [Governor Brown] say that his intention was never to undo or disrupt any significant projects that were under contract, under way.  So, I’m here also to add our support of the project and acknowledge that this is exactly what the redevelopment has been used for and is a good project.”

Lee said the news should put to rest any concern over redevelopment funding for Hunters Point while Newsom called it a “tremendous boost for the Bayview-Hunters Point community.

Thrown under the bus, Arc sues Redevelopment - SFBG

Sarah Phelan at SF Bay Guardian writes,

Arc Ecology filed suit today in federal court against the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, citing First Amendment issues and the Commission’s alleged retaliation for Arc’s criticism of the Agency’s Candlestick Point/ Hunters Point Shipyard project.

Read more at SF Bay Guardian

EPA Superfund Official to take 'Toxic Tour' of Hunters Point Naval Shipyard - Salem News

From the Salem News,

Bayview community members are calling for complete, adequate, timely and on-going community oversight of the Superfund site remediation process.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Community groups POWER, Greenaction, SLAM, and other Bayview community leaders are meeting Mathy Stanislaus, the Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of  Solid Waste and Emergency Response in Washington, DC and the official responsible for Superfund cleanup at the agency.  Stanislaus will tour toxic waste sites at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, including areas contaminated with radiation that border family housing and neighborhood businesses.

Read more at Salem News

Supes take BVHP Tour - IndyBay

This article by Francisco Da Costa expresses the anger and frustration that many in the Bayview feel with regard to a continued environmental racism in how the BVHP Shipyard Redevelopment project is proceeding.  I for one expect our elected officials to make sure that we're getting the clean-up that we were promised, and if not, that those who are supposed to be responsible for doing it have their feet held to the fire until it's done right. I'd like for our new Supervisor to have been there on this latest tour, along with our out-going Supervisor, as a demonstration of their commitment to seeing this massive project be done as properly and transparently as possible.  If Ms Cohen hasn't already taken the 'toxic tour', then I hope she has one planned for the near future.  This project will, in many ways, define her tenure as our Supervisor much as it has that of Sophie Maxwell. (h/t Nyese Joshua)

Hunters Point Shipyard Community Informational Meeting

HPS Year in Review - 2010 Environmental Cleanup

The Department of the Navy invites you to the Bayview YMCA, 1601 Lane St., San Francisco, at 6PM December 1st to attend a Hunters Point Shipyard informational meeting where you can learn about environmental cleanup activities that occurred in 2010. Check the 94124 and Redevelopment calendars for details.

Also of interest, check out this Hunters Point Shipyard redevelopment page.

Local News:
Green Design off he beaten path in Visitacion Valley - SFGate

Congratulations, Visitacion Valley, this year's Neighborhood Empowerment Network Comeback Neighborhood of the Year!!!

Little Guy Named Poquito - EaterSF

Redevelopment News:
BVHP Redevelopment divides city over jobs and environment - KAWL


Union PLAs Block Blacks from construction - SF Bayview

National News:

San Francisco: Inclined to intrigue - The National

Election News:
Races for 4 SF Supervisor Seats Remain Close - KTVU

SF Supes Race Remains Tight - Bay Citizen

Today's Election Updates Mean Nothing - SFWeekly

City Insider: District 10 remains a huge toss-up - SFGate

Morning Splash: Update on SF Supes Race - KQED

SF Supervisor Election Updates - KQED

Ballot Counts Continue in SF Supervisor Races - SF Examiner