Rally for Homelessness Solutions

AUGUST 23, 2023 / 9-10 AM

SAFER SAN FRANCISCO

San Franciscans want to see our leaders take real action to address homelessness in our city. But right now, their hands are tied.

A federal judge has ruled that San Francisco police can't do anything to remove tents from our streets until 3,000-4,000 more beds are created in shelters — enough for every homeless person in our city on any given night.

While creating more beds in shelters is a worthwhile goal, this injunction makes no sense. It means that for the foreseeable future, our law enforcement officials and first responders can’t get people off the streets are into shelters, even when there are beds available — and even when there is dangerous activity happening in these encampments. 

No one benefits from this. It leaves people on our streets, harms our local businesses, and endangers our communities. 

The City Attorney has appealed this decision — giving us an opportunity to show that San Franciscans want to see this blockade overturned. 

The case is scheduled to be heard at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, August 23rd. The rally in support of ending the injunction will be in front of the building at 9AM. It will be attended by small business owners, community groups, neighborhood associations, and Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Matt Dorsey, and Joel Engardio. 

Here are all the details:

Rally for Homelessness Solutions

End the Federal Injunction against San Francisco

August 23rd, 9AM - 10AM

9th Circuit Court of Appeals

95 7th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Your support would make a big difference.

Office Hours and Fee Waivers Explained

AUGUST 31, 2023 / 9:30-11 AM

SHARED SPACES

Those rebuilding their parklets are invited to attend Shared Spaces Office Hours and Parklet Design Training on August 31st, 9:30-11am. Get answers to your questions, application updates and ask questions about the design guidelines.

Other news, Grants! 

Shared Spaces Arts and Culture Grants are now open and accepting applications! Applicants can be awarded up to $10,000 each to bring art, music, and other cultural programs to Shared Spaces parklets, sidewalk areas, and street closures. Projects should occur between August 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

Shared Spaces pandemic permit holders who have applied for a post-pandemic permit can be awarded up to $2500 to pay for materials or services to bring the Shared Space into compliance. Apply for Shared Spaces Equity Grant by September 27, 2023. 

The City has partnered with SF New Deal to support individuals and organizations who apply for these grants. If you have questions regarding either of these grant opportunities, need support in completing an application, or need language support (available in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English) please call 415-480-1185, or email sharedspaces@sfnewdeal.org. 

Make your business entrance accessible

ACCESSIBLE BUSINESS ENTRANCE PROGRAM

The Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program ensures that San Francisco businesses welcome everybody. Commercial property owners of public-serving businesses need to confirm that the primary entrances are accessible to people with disabilities.

Submit your checklist as soon as possible.

Follow the ABE process

1. Get your entrance inspected and submit a category checklist

Hire an access professional to submit a checklist as soon as you can. The first deadline has passed. There are no immediate penalties, but you will be subject to code enforcement processes in the future.

Tell us if you already made updates 

Tell us you have made your business entrance accessible if you have already done construction to follow the program.

You must tell us the Building Permit Application number for the project. 

2. Apply for your building permit

If you've already submitted your checklist and your entrance requires more complex, structural changes, you will need building permits. 

Apply for your building permit to perform the necessary work. You will likely need to fill out a Form 3/8. You must obtain your building permits by September 29, 2023.

Check the Department of Public Works' Accessible Business Entrance Standards Plans and be sure to include the required information. Additional information is available in Public Works Order No: 200405.

In your permit application's project description (line 16), include:

• "For compliance with the ABE program”
• "ABE #XXXXXXXXXXXX"

Please include your ABE number for each permit application. If you need to verify your ABE number, please email dbi.abe@sfgov.org.

Include your category checklist within your permit drawings.

IF YOU NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, APPLY FOR A GRANT

See tax credits, deductions, grant programs and financing options to help pay for your business entrance improvements.

Honoring Coskun Abik of Blind Butcher

OCTOBER 9, 2023

I attended a great event last week to honor Coskun Abik of Blind Butcher with MC Vas Kiniris. Appreciating our local and international community leaders who came out to support! A special thanks to Mayor London Breed and San Francisco Police Department Chief William Scott for gracing Coskun with their certificates of recognition! As a Kurdish immigrant, he’s shown great resilience and we appreciate his contributions to our local economy and our diverse cultures.

There are 90k businesses in San Francisco and half are considered small business, which employ 10 or less people AND these small businesses employ almost 400k citizens. In addition, immigrants own and operate almost 50% of those small businesses in SF! Now’s the time to celebrate small business!

Special thanks to our international consulate communities for coming out to support our immigrant small businesses including the San Francisco Consuls General of Japan, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, and Indonesia!

Sunset Night Market

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 / 5 PM - 10 PM

IRVING BETWEEN 20TH AND 23RD

There is a lot of excitement about the night market that’s coming to the Sunset next month. Everyone is talking about it. This shows that people don’t just want a night market. They need it. Why?

Because they need more joy in their lives.

There is a need for more public safety and to revive our local economy. A night market helps accomplish these goals. It brings people together, makes streets safer, and gives small businesses a boost. All while celebrating food, art, and music — the fun things in life.

Thank you! District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio

San Francisco Fleet Week

OCTOBER 2-10, 2023

This year, Fleet Week is October 2 - 10, 2023. Most activities and the large air show are over the weekend of October 6 - 8. You will find additional ship tours throughout the week.

Henry Karnilowicz

1019 Howard Street

San Francisco, CA 94103-2806

415.420.8113 cell

415.621.7583 fax

President Emeritus

San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations

Co-chair

SFPD x Small Business Advisory Forum