QUARTERLY NEWS AND UPDATES

CCCBD Renewal 
CCCBD renewal and expansion was presented at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, May 21. The resolution of intent to renew and expand the CCCBD was sponsored by Mayor London Breed, Supervisor Vallie Brown and Supervisor Matt Haney. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Board of Supervisors. 

In addition, three Open House events were conducted in March, April and June; where current Board members, Renewal Steering Committee members and staff were on hand to explain the service plan for 2020 and answer questions. 

Ballots were mailed May 31, those within the current and proposed District expansion areas should contact the CCCBD if they have not received their ballot at info@sfciviccenter.org or (415) 658-7979.
CBD Safety Summit Shared Expert Advice on Theft and Break-In Prevention

The annual CBD Safety Summit was held in April  at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater. This year's focus was on theft and break-in prevention; keynote speakers included SFPD Sergeant Patrick Kennedy of the Burglary Unit, and Commander of Municipal Transportation Teresa Ewins; as well as staff from Cypress Security. Speakers covered a variety of prevention techniques to avoid break-ins at home, at work, and in and around public transportation. Attendees also learned ways to avoid becoming a victim of personal theft.  Numerous safety organizations also provided information before and after the keynotes at lobby information tables. Exhibitors included: A.L.E.R.T., Applied Video Solutions (AVS), Cypress Security, SF72.org, SF Bike Coalition, SFMTA Park Smart, SF Safe and Vision Zero
Civic Center Public Realm Plan Continues Its Evolution

The Planning Commission shared their observations about the proposed changes to Civic Center public spaces, noting elements of the design that could develop further; stating in the SF Business Times: "an array of ideas such as adding more trees, a soccer field, a dog park and even a possible skate park to the area." The design team behind the plans will incorporate these suggestions with public feedback provided at the open house February. Next steps include incorporating the results of an SFMTA traffic analysis and a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review.  Following this, the Architect's Newspaper also shared their thoughts on the plans, noting the plans by CMG turn the space " into a series of outdoor 'garden rooms' that surround a central square."
Board Member Jim Haas's New Book Delves Into Everything Civic Center

CCCBD Board Member, and  expert on San Francisco's Civic Center history and politics, Jim Haas, has a new book out:  The San Francisco Civic Center. The book covers " how [Civic Center] became one of the most complete developments envisioned by any American city. Originally planned and designed by John Galen Howard in 1912, the San Francisco Civic Center is considered in both design and materials one of the finest achievements of the American reformist City Beautiful movement, an urban design movement that began more than a century ago." A n upcoming event to celebrate the book includes a lecture and signing at the Flood Mansion on September 10.

Better Market Street Open House Events Reveal First Phase of Plans
 
Better Market Street hosted two public open house events in early June to expand on the plans coming to Market Street in 2020 -- specifically the stretch between 6th and 8th streets. The organization noted that a main focus would be to provide better pedestrian and cyclist safety, with better marked crosswalks, protected bike lanes and new loading zones on side streets for commercial vehicles during peak commute hours. The plans also call for a ban on private vehicles on Market Street, including ride hailing cars.
CIVIC CENTER EVENTS & PROGRAMS
UN Plaza Friday Farmers Market and Bazaar 
New Market Day Launches in UN Plaza: Friday Farmers Market & Bazaar

The Heart of the City Farmers Market has started operating in UN Plaza on Fridays, 7am to 4pm. (Their first Friday markets since the 1980s!) The Market is joined by over 15 local artisan vendors from the Gift Gallery, SF Etsy and Square. The expanded Friday Farmers Market & Bazaar, which started June 7, also features food trucks and stalls, a rotation of free DIY activities at noon, lawn games and picnic tables for dining and hanging out with friends, family and co-workers. It's a great way to start the weekend!

Civic Center Commons Initiative also announced the return of their family-friendly 1st Sundays Block Party series; the first one occurred on July 7, with food trucks, music, artisan craft vendors, games and more; they'll continue throughout the summer on the first Sunday of the month. 

See photos of the events on the Civic Center Commons Initiative 
Flickr page; and if interested in sponsoring Civic Center events, learn more on the sponsorship page.
More Civic Center Events


* After 12 weeks, the free lunchtime dance classes with LINES Dance Center instructors have come to an end. These 30-minute workouts, and the accompanying monthly performances by Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, happened every Thursday in UN Plaza at 12:30.

*The highly regarded installation "Lest We Forget,"by German artist Luigi Toscano that featured 78 portraits of Holocaust survivors for over a month in Civic Center Plaza has closed. While on display it received many viewers and critical acclaim from local publications. It was presented by the Goethe-Institute San Francisco and the German Consulate in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and San Francisco Arts Commission.

*In early April, the San Francisco Arts Commission noted "renowned photographer, Hulleah  Tsinhnahjinnie (Seminole-Muscogee-Navajo) photograph[ed] approximately 150 Native American community members in curated groupings of 3-5 individuals consisting of Native American leaders, professionals, and youth on top of the empty plinth where the Early Days statue stood for over one hundred years." The images will be on display in Civic Center later this year for the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz and  Indigenous Peoples' Day.
District News
VR Gym Opens at Fox Plaza

7x7 says, "a t first glance,  Black Box VR  looks a bit like an Apple store." But the 4,000-square foot gym at 1390 Market St. allows not just for a virtual-world setting, but has the technology to change resistance and repetitions to optimize the 30-minute workouts.
Former Jardiniere Space Will Remain a Restaurant

After the popular restaurant from  Traci Des Jardin closed in April, it was unknown what the large space would become. Eater SF has now announced a vegan restaurant, Baia, will open in its place. From Tracy Vogt, founder of animal sanctuary Charlie's Acres, and chef Matthew Kenney, a vegan chef, the restaurant will be Italian-inspired venue open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No opening date has been announced.
Van Ness 
Improvement Project

The second quarter of 2019 saw a major lane shift on Van Ness to make room for utility work; other work in the last quarter included paving, installing a joint-utility trench, installing light poles and street light conduits.  The improvement project is projected to be completed in 2020.

For more information on the project, check out the informational  video, and visit the SFMTA site.
 
Development News
UC Hastings To Gain New
Student Housing 

Adjacent to the District at 198 McAllister, UC Hastings and UCSF, with  Greystar and Strada Investment Group, will build 592 units of student housing for students at both schools; UC Hastings will also revamp the current 252 units at 100 McAllister. Construction will break ground in 2020, and when completed will also be the new home of the Central YMCA.
SF Conservatory of Music Bowes Center Takes Shape

The SF Conservatory of Music shared the recent renderings of the new building, terrace and performance space on their Instagram, and those who have passed 200 Van Ness have likely seen the building starting to emerge. When completed in 2020, it will not only feature new performance spaces, but classrooms, as well as  student and community housing.
Upcoming Events
1ST SUNDAYS BLOCK PARTIES RETURNS
 
Civic Center Commons Initiative has announced the return of their popular, family-friendly block parties on Fulton Street! Featuring food, music, games, free DIY crafts and more -- this event pairs nicely with the Heart of the City Farmers Market and Asian Art Museum's Free First Sundays. Visit the Block Party every 1st Sunday of the month through November! Catch the next one August 4!
TUES., JULY 9TH
HAZARDS & CLIMATE RESILIENCE PLAN WORKSHOP

This free, two-hour workshop for business and commercial property stakeholders will feature information on how local neighborhoods could be impacted by various hazards such as floods or earthquakes, and provide information on the  Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan. The workshop will be lead by Office of Resilience and Capital Planning in partnership with Department of Emergency Management, Department of Public Health, Department of the Environment and SF Planning. Happening July 9, 10-noon; RSVP here. 
More News Links
Hoodline notes three new sushi spots to try, including District spot NAKAMA Sushi.

A white picket fence replaces chain barrier around UN Plaza fountain.

CALA and its sister restaurant in Mexico City share spotlight in 30-minute Netflix documentary.

Speaking of Netflix, the Heart of the City Famers Market had a staring role in the new Ali Wong film: "Always Be My Maybe."
DISTRICT BEAUTY

We love the curb appeal of Studio BBR at 43 Franklin St.

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