SanFranciscoSentinel.com
A neighborhood that knows how
Kayakers returning to South Beach Community Fair
September 18, 2006
San Francisco's Indian Summer yesterday made the South Beach Mission Bay Community Fair sparkle like a diamond, in what mayor's representative Rob Black described as "one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the country."
Black joined residents and the private sector in lauding partnership with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency for the neighborhood's rebirth.
Early ship building rooted in South Beach history
Photo from U.S. Library of Congress
A native San Franciscan, now vice president of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, detailed community growth.
"As you know oftentimes partnerships between community, and the private sector, and the Redevelopment Agency has always had a lot of tension," recalled Redevelopment Commission Vice President London Breed, appointed to the post by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Redevelopment Agency Vice President London Breed
"This is a prime example of what happens when they come together in a positive way to create such a wonderful space."
That partnership emerged through years of planning by the Rincon Point South Beach Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), Breed acknowledged, who once served on the CAC before joining the Redevelopment Agency Commission.
"Since the inception of the plan... we have built more than 2,800 housing units, of which over 700 of those units are affordable, and more a million square feet of commercial space, and an incredible ball park with beautiful public art.
"I've got to say that as a native San Franciscan who saw this place before and it became what it is today I am truly amazed, I'm overwhelmed, and I'm excited -- I really look forward to the access that this is going to bring to this area."
Since 1999, Redevelopment Agency participation led to a new dinghy dock for youth and disabled seniors on the Waterfront Promenade and Plaza, installation of major community art projects, and the construction of a new playground, Breed continued.
More than $50 million of public funds have been invested in South Beach, reported Marcia Rosen, executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, who emceed the event.
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Director Marcia Rosen
"We have invested more than $50 million of public funds for these public improvements," Rosen told the gathering.
"Along with that the private sector has invested over $1 billion in the housing that you see around you and this neighborhood, like other San Francisco neighborhoods, has a mixture of all kinds of households from those residents of Delancey Street, for the Bridge Project for working and low-income families in the Bridge Affordable Housing Project to some of the priciest condos.
District Attorney Kamala Harris added her pride in South Beach development within District 6.
"I have to tell you as a resident of District 6, and my Supervisor Chris Daly is here, I'm so proud of what has been accomplished in this area," stated Harris.
Supervisor Chris Daly with District Attorney Kamala Harris
"It's absolutely magnificent and to look out and enhance and work on the natural beauty of our City is an amazing feat," Harris continued.
"But to do that with the level of public investment I think really speaks volumes about who we are a City in terms of our commitment to not only maximizing all of the capacities of the areas but to do it in a way that is inclusive and that thinks about the children that live in the neighborhood and would benefit from a park, do it in a way that thinks about having a community center area where there can be birthday parties, doing it in a way that is respectful of the quality of life that everyone in the district would like to enjoy."
Harris called for South Beach model to be replicated in the South East portion of San Francisco.
"I hope that this will be an inspiration to all of San Francisco, not only in District 6, but to think about replicating this on the South East corridor of our City.
"And recognizing that when we invest this in our inner community it makes us feel better, it makes us feel great, it makes us stand tall and have a smile and certainly we know we have the best City when everybody is walking around feeling good about themselves."
Rosen noted the Bayview Plan prohibits use of eminent domain.
"The Bayview Plan prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire any property in a residentially zoned area, and any legally occupied dwelling units in any zoning district, as well as any publicly owned property, or any property owned by religious institutions," Rosen told the Sentinel.
"For non-residential property, the Agency must first get a recommendation from the PAC, and can only use eminent domain as a last resort, after the property owner has failed, after reasonable notice, to correct one or more of the following conditions: UMBs, unsafe buildings after failure to comply with an abatement order by DBI, property deemed unsafe as formally determined by other enforcement agency, vacant or substantially vacant property and the owner has no active plans for use or development. See pages 12-14 of the Plan which is on the Agency's website," stated Rosen.
Daly honored community members who helped lead the event.
Chris Daly with Marcia Rosen
"I just want to acknowledge the two people for putting on this community work today," Daly began.
"It's hard, hard work but please come up Marilyn Smith and Melanie Lacy. Thank you very much for putting this beautiful event on such a beautiful day." Incumbent Supervisor Chris Daly is seeking District 6 re-election in November.
Marilyn Z. Smith, Exec Committee of
Marilyn Smith, right, with Melody Lacy and mayoral representative Rob Black
District 6 resident Rob Black represented Mayor Newsom. Black is a candidate for District 6 Supervisor election in November.
South Beach Mission Bay Weekend officially proclaimed
Katherine Webster, executive director of South Beach Mission Bay, received a mayoral Certificate of Honor as did Katy Liddell of Bechtel as co-partners in crafting the event.
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Rich Dickerson, member of the Rincon Point South Beach Citizens Advisory, officially opens the South Beach Mission Bay office with ribbon cutting.
Rich Dickerson, left
South Beach has become one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the nation, Black asserted.
"This fair is a great celebration of a really emerging and dynamic neighborhood -- this particular neighborhood is probably one of the most exciting in the country as far as the changes that are going on, the energy level that's here, and businesses that are coming into the district, and it's great to see it evolve and the community evolve," Black told the Sentinel.
"I think that as a City what we need to do is catch up with them.
"Because there are so many families moving in. In many ways, it's still treated as an industrial neighborhood and we need to make sure that we're treating them more like a neighborhood both in the services we're providing and the transportation we're providing," added Black.
Sponsoring SF Giants well represented
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