Third Street Corridor Project Meeting

Last night, the Third Street Corridor Project hosted a meeting attended by roughly 200 Bayview residents who wanted to weigh in on the future of our neighborhood.  Due to a family emergency, I was unable to attend, but resident Mary deJesus was there, and had this to say:

Last night 200 plus people packed the Bayview Opera House to engage in what was billed as a workshop to address community concerns in the Bayview.  This meeting boasted some of the City’s political heavy hitters: members of SF Mayor Ed Lee’s staff; District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen and staff; and Bayview Police Captain Paul Chignell.  With recent homicides and increased scrutiny of the "Town Center" area at Mendell Plaza, the meeting could have been solely safety oriented. In fact, without a reduction in crime in the area, no other proposals for the Third Street Corridor can even hope to get off the ground.

So, what could have been an opportunity to “pick the brains of” and engage these City heavyweights, resulting in a solutions-oriented forum, instead became what felt to some  like a “musical chairs”  session.  Participants were herded and shuttled into several groups that were then tasked with identifying Community concerns, producing action items which were prioritized by popular vote.

Despite the night’s almost carnival-like atmosphere, a positive outcome was achieved, in that a dialogue of area concerns was reportedly compiled.  Future meetings, according to the evening’s host, James Moore of the Third St Corridor Project, will address blight (social and physical); job creation; beautification and utilization of Mendell Plaza; and health and safety in the Bayview.

It is this writer’s hopes that a carefully cultivated forum conducive to sober conversation will also be on the agenda.

Third Street Community Planning Workshop

2012 Third Street Community Planning Workshop

Thursday February 23rd
6pm to 7:30pm
Bayview Opera House
4705 Third St., San Francisco

Refreshments will be served!

Please RSVP to 415-647-3728.

Your input will help to identify community concerns and priority actions for the 2012 update of the 3rd St. Action Plan.

Potential issues to be addressed include:
- community health and safety
- streetscape design and physical appearance
- neighborhood events and activities
- business attraction and promotion
- other activities to help the Bayview better serve its residents, merchants, and community stakeholders

Come hear community updates from Supervisor Malia Cohen and Police Captain Paul Chignell

The 3rd St Corridor Project (TSCP) is a collaborative effort to revitalize the commercial, civic, and cultural center of the Bayview-Hunters Point community.  TSCP's goal is for 3rd St to become a place where local residents find essential goods and services, earn their livelihood as business owners and employees, access cultural and social resources, and meet and mix with neighbors.  TSCP's work is guided by the 3rd Street Action Plan, a live document that takes direction from the community's visions and past planning efforts, and provides a roadmap for key activities and projects aimed at creating a vibrant commercial district along the 3rd Street corridor.

Financial Management Strategies for Growing Your Small Business

From the 3rd Street Corridor Project:

Free Workshop for Contractors sponsored by Lennar Urban, Chase and VEDC:

Financial Management Strategies for Growing Your Small Business
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am til 1pm
Bayview Opera House
4705 Third Street, San Francisco

Join the Discussion: Keys for Achieving Fiscal Power; Credit Repair; Bookkeeping and Real Deal About Loans.

For more information, call 415-647-3728.