December 2016 Newsletter
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News & Highlights
Mayor Lee Launches Shop & Dine in the 49 to Support Local Business

In November, Mayor Edwin M. Lee launched the third year of the Shop & Dine in the 49 initiative challenging residents to do all their shopping and dining within the 49 square miles of San Francisco this holiday season and all year long. The launch is based upon the success of the pilot program developed in 2014 by the Mayor’s Office and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development in partnership with local agencies, organizations, and businesses.   Read more…
The Tenderloin will See Affordable Space for Artists in January 2017

Get High on Mountains is not only opening as a woodworking and photography shop in the Tenderloin, but is also providing artists with affordable studio rentals. With guidance from Invest In Neighborhoods (IIN) team member, Juan Carlos Cancino, in the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the shop owners, Katie Gong and Brett Walker secured a 10-year lease on a building that will house their new business and allows them to offer 11 artist spaces for rent . They also received a SF Shines grant from IIN that will allow them to improve the storefront façade. Get High On Mountains is set to open in January 2017 at 276 Golden Gate Avenue. Read more…
The Stud, a Beloved SoMa Bar, Gets Two More Years at 9th & Harrison

When the longtime owner of The Stud announced his departure this summer, a takeover was organized by a collective of artists, performers, business executives and political strategists. The combined support from the Office of Economic and Workforce DevelopmentSupervisor Jane Kim's office, and local corporations like Levi's, allowed The Stud Collective to secure an affordable two-year lease at its current 9th and Harrison location. Further, the Collective successfully secured a Legacy Business designation from the Office of Small Business and ownership of the bar beginning December 30th. The Collective has also launched a crowdfunding campaign, Save Our Stud, to secure a new space beginning in 2019 when the two-year lease expires. Read more…
Photo courtesy of Kevin Y./Yelp
Cartoon Art Museum Secures Long-Term Lease in San Francisco

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) today announced that the nonprofit Cartoon Art Museum has secured a 10-year lease for exhibitions and educational programs at 781 Beach Street in Fisherman’s Wharf. OEWD provided assistance to the Cartoon Art Museum beginning in September 2013 when the museum was struggling with rent increases. OEWD stepped in and connected the Cartoon Art Museum with real estate assistance, leading to their enrollment in the City’s Nonprofit Displacement Mitigation Program. This assistance helped Cartoon Art Museum locate an affordable administrative office when they had to vacate their former space, and provided a $30,000 grant to assist with relocation through a competitive bid process from the SFAC in partnership with the Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF) and the Community Arts Stabilization Trust. The Cartoon Art Museum was also one of thirteen local businesses added to the Legacy Business Registry by the Small Business Commission on Monday, November 28. Read more…
Taboon Debuts its Kosher Sweets and Sandwiches at Sixth & Minna

The Sixth Street corridor is home to a new storefront, Taboon. This kosher bakery, owned by a trio from Israel, combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors which are reflected in the tasty pastries, authentic pita bread, and specialty sambusak. The bakery's name comes from the type of stone oven that is being used for baking. For the successful opening, the owners secured City resources through Invest In Neighborhoods such as technical assistance for space identification and lease negotiations and SF Shines funding for the taboon which is the centerpiece of the café. Visit Taboon at 132 6th Street to enjoy a unique menu that is 100 percent kosher and halal, and offers options for a variety of diets, including gluten-free and vegan.
Courtesy of Myrtle-Photography
A Streamlined Business Registration Process is Here!

The City strives to make things easier for new businesses. For that reason, Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu and Treasurer José Cisneros worked together to streamline the registration process for new businesses in San Francisco. Businesses that register with the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector will no longer be required to register separately with the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. The enhancement was made possible through an innovative data-sharing agreement between the two offices to improve taxpayer experience and increase tax compliance. Visit New Business Registration for application information and for additionalinformation about starting a business in San Francisco, visit the San Francisco Business Portal. Read more…
Featured Neighborhood: Outer Sunset

The Outer Sunset is an exciting district wherein three unique Invest In Neighborhoods (IIN) corridors exist— Irving, Noriega, and Taraval Streets. These neighborhoods make up an ethnic enclave with diverse populations and a wide variety of eating, drinking, and shopping establishments. Get to know the OuterSunset’s dynamic character through this featured video which highlights the services and programs that IIN and other City partners provide to local businesses in San Francisco.
Featured Program: ADA  Small Business Assessment Program

Invest In Neighborhoods offers several baseline City services, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Small Business Assessment Program, to make small businesses accessible to individuals with disabilities. The program serves small businesses by providing education, assessment reports, compliance plans, and access to loan programs and other resources. The program is free of cost for those meeting the eligibility criteria and is administered by the Northeast Community Federal Credit Union (NCFCU). To apply for a free ADA assessment, please visit http://investsf.org/ada/ to read more and download the application and instructions.
Traffic Ticket Amnesty Program

The Traffic Ticket Amnesty Program can reduce the fines you may owe on some traffic tickets as well as enable reinstatement of your driver’s license. The program is for any ticket(s) handled in traffic court, but does not apply to parking tickets, reckless driving, DUIs, and other serious driving offenses. For more information about the San Francisco program, please watch video, call 311, visit sf311.org or The Superior Court of California, Amnesty Program
Special Holiday Tips
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips from SFPD and Shop & Dine in the 49
During this holiday season, the San Francisco Police Department will be working to enhance safety for residents, visitors, and shoppers. There will be increased foot patrols to shopping areas throughout the city, including the horse/mounted unit, plain clothes officers, and traffic enforcement. Enjoy this video on Shop & Dine in the 49 and follow these safety tips:
  • Stay alert when using electronic devices. Limit your distractions.
  • Always be alert of your surroundings and have your keys in your hand as you approach your vehicle.
  • Park Smart: Help avoid vehicle break-ins, leave nothing visible in your car. Consider moving your vehicle to a different location each time you load packages in the trunk. Try to use parking lots where there are parking attendants.
  • Keep your wallet in a hard-to-reach place and carry only the cash and credit cards that you will need to complete your shopping.
  • If someone demands your purse, wallet, or packages, surrender them, make note of the suspect’s description and direction they flee and call 911. Property can be replaced.
  • “If you see something, say something.” If you witness criminal activity or see something or someone suspicious, flag down a police officer, call 911 or contact security.
  • Shop with a companion, especially after dark, whenever possible.
Report criminal activity to police immediately. Additional personal safety tips are available from San Francisco Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) 1-415-553-1984.
Cooking for the holidays? Dispose of Cooking Oil in an Easy, Responsible Way
Whether you are cooking for the holidays, or just enjoying meals with your friends and family, avoid pouring the used cooking oil down the drain. Clogged sewers can result in back-ups, overflows onto streets, foul odors, and costly damage to sewers. As we enter the holiday season, we urge you to recycle your used cooking oil at one of our convenient drop-off locations in SF, year-round, listed at sfgreasecycle.org. We’ll turn it into biofuel for use in vehicles like MUNI buses.
Community Events
Buon Natale and Festival of Lights in North Beach

North Beach Neighbors is hosting the second annual Buon Natale & Festival of Lights, which is sponsored, in part, by Invest In Neighborhoods. The celebration honors North Beach's Italian traditions and offers a variety of activities for merchants, parents, kids, food lovers, pet owners and all neighbors who are ready for a good time this holiday season. The two-week holiday celebration kicked-off on December 11th and continues through December 25th. Read more on Hoodline…In the meantime, here is a quick view of some of the activities:
  • North Beach Holiday Wine Walk on December 15th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bella Cora, 565 Green Street. The tasting event will include merchants offering wine samples and special treats inside their stores throughout North Beach.
  • Kid's Crafting on December 18th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at Navaisha Gallery, 1499 Grant Avenue. Craft stations will feature Papier-mâché and painting, stamping, DIY wrapping paper, collaging, coloring, pre-school crafting.
  • Hanukah Celebration for Kids on December 25th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Navaisha Gallery, 1499 Grant Avenue. This Hanukah celebration for children will feature Papier-mâché and painting, stamping, DIY wrapping paper, collaging, coloring, pre-school crafting.

Mission Bernal Holiday Walk

On Thursday, December 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., celebrate culture, community, the arts, and small business at the annual Mission Bernal Holiday Walk, which is sponsored in part by Invest In Neighborhoods. The Mission Bernal Merchants Association is excited to invite San Francisco to explore the vibrant Mission Bernal small businesses along Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and Randall, plus side streets. For this event, neighborhood merchants are offering specials that include free goodies and deep discounts. For a list of some of some participating merchants and enticing offerings, visit  Mission Bernal Holiday Walk.

Winter Wonderland in the Bayview

The Bayview Opera House, located at 4705 3rd Street is hosting a Winter Wonderland on December 15th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. through sponsorships that include Mayor Lee's Invest In Neighborhoods, SFPUC, and other partners. This free event is an exciting evening that includes $1 ice skating (including skate rental), holiday gift making, live music, real snow, and more!

Fillmore Holiday Marketplace 2016

Please join the fifth annual celebration of Fillmore Holiday Marketplace on December 16th from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Fillmore Heritage Center, 1330 Fillmore Street. A jolly good time will be had at this free event which will feature Santa, food and drink, pop-up shopping, live music and a concert, and a photo booth. The shopping event will also showcase the Women-owned businesses supported by Urban Solutions’ Enterprising Women! program.

Broad Street Community Mural Unveiling

Join Precita Eyes muralists, residents, community partners, Supervisor John Avalos, and the Mayor’s Invest In Neighborhoods (IIN) initiative at a special unveiling celebration. The event is December 17th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lacy’s Barbershop, 101 Broad Street. For more information, visit the IIN Broad Street page.

Holiday Shopping Pop-Up Market

Head to the Bayview as Third Street Village hosts this year’s Holiday Shopping Pop-Up Market on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through December 30th. Third Street Village is located at 4720 3rd Street and is an art gallery and pop-up activation space for the Bayview community, seeking to activate vacant and underutilized storefronts.

November 2 Remember Shopping Sweepstakes

The San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations is pleased to announce the launch of November 2 Remember Shopping Sweepstakes--a shop local campaign. The sweepstakes rewards shopping at small, local businesses in San Francisco, reinforces buying local and builds a stronger, healthier community, while helping to sustain local jobs and our vibrant merchant corridors. The Sweepstakes will have several tiers of prizes including a grand prize—an electric bicycle from Electric Bicycle Super Store. Shop in San Francisco neighborhoods from now until the end of December and be a winner! Read more…
Ninth Annual NEN Award Nominations and Celebration

The Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN) Awards are dedicated to elevating and celebrating the tremendous work that residents and organizations do every day to make our City an amazing and innovative place to live. As is the tradition with the NEN Awards, your help is needed to find this year's winners! Please fill out the NEN Awards nomination form and help us to recognize the heroes in your neighborhood. The ceremony for the award-winning nominees will be held in the rotunda of San Francisco's City Hall on January 27th, 2016, so make sure to get your nominations in today! Also, don't forget to RSVP to the NEN Awards so you can join the celebration.
Grant Opportunities & Technical Assistance
Urban Solutions Enterprising Women!

Enterprising Women! by  Urban Solutions is a groundbreaking program which helps women of color overcome obstacles to their business growth and create a legacy of economic independence.

Women of color and women from low-income backgrounds typically approach business differently from men — from building networks to financial management to selling. For many women, operating their own business creates an opportunity to support themselves and their children, to engage community members, and to create a legacy of economic independence.

Our next workshop series begins in January, 2017. Topics include:
  • Assessing business and personal capacity
  • Developing strategic growth and action plans
  • Managing the social and emotional aspects of money
  • Building negotiation skills
  • Creating life-work balance

After the six-month training, Urban Solutions provides year-round business technical assistance and mentorship opportunities for the women who complete the training.

Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development

The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) has several opportunities:

Capital and Public Space Improvements Projects

The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Capital and Public Space Improvements projects that will be funded by CDBG, Complete Neighborhoods, South of Market Community Stabilization Fund, and HOPWA will be released later in the year, for proposals that will be due by February 1, 2017.  Please keep checking the Community Development page for updated information regarding this RFP. 

SoMa Community Stabilization Fund Request for Proposals

MOHCD and the South of Market Community Stabilization Fund Community Advisory Committee (CAC) are pleased to announce the availability of the RFP for 2017-2019 under the following program areas: Community Cohesion and Neighborhood Coordination, Housing Services, and Jobs and Income.  These programs shall have contract periods ranging from twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months, depending on the program and success in achieving outcomes.  All contracts will have a start date of July 1, 2017. Please note that this RFP will not include capital programs.  A separate RFP for capital programs is available on the MOHCD website.

The RFP will be available electronically on MOHCD’s website at www.sfmohcd.org on Monday, December 19, 2017. Please keep checking the Community Development page for updated information regarding this RFP.

Bidder’s Conference

MOHCD and will conduct two (2) bidder’s conferences to assist interested applicants in assessing the eligibility and scope of proposed projects, and in completing the required elements of proposals. These workshops will be identical in content and will discuss all program areas included in this RFP.  Agencies interested in applying for SoMa funds are highly recommended to attend at least one conference:

  • Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 10:00 am – 11:00 am at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor
  • Friday, January 6, 2017, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor

 How to Contact MOHCD:

If you have any questions regarding the RFP, please call Claudine M. del Rosario at MOHCD at 701-5580 or claudine.delrosario@sfgov.org.

Partners