The Grow SF Report, Vol. 2
What You Need To Know
The latest updates on SF government progress, policies, and priorities:
Biden signs stimulus package
President Biden signed a $1.9T stimulus package last week, which will result in over $600M coming to San Francisco and $1.3B for Bay Area transit. While this won’t close every deficit, it will go a long way to make sure our city comes back strong. Learn more here.
SF School Reopening
SFUSD has finally set a date for some (not all) TK-5 students to return to in-person instruction on April 15. Unfortunately, there is still no timeline for middle, high, or the remaining TK-5 students to return in-person.
Last weekend, Mayor Breed joined Decreasing the Distance in a rally to bring a full return to in-person instruction. Learn more here.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, Superintendent Vince Matthews has decided to retire in June, further adding to the school board’s immediate responsibilities and the overall uncertainty around schools reopening.
Golden Gate Park Ferris Wheel
Fun wins! The Ferris Wheel will remain in Golden Gate Park for 4 more years. Even after two commissions had approved the wheel, some of our Supervisors tried to stop the fun. Luckily the board voted 6-5 in favor of keeping it. We’re happy the wheel is going to stay, but can’t help but feel that our officials should be focused on more important problems. Read more here.
SF COVID-19 Vaccinations
San Francisco has been ramping up vaccinations quickly. Here's the latest:
Vaccination Rate: 33% of SF residents over 16 have received at least 1 dose.
Eligibility: As of Monday, 3/15, SF expanded eligibility to residents with certain health conditions, disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. See eligibility requirements.
Vaccine Sites: Find a vaccine site near you. Some allow drop-ins, while others are appointment only.
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Join Us on Clubhouse (Today at 5 PM)
What: How to Solve the Opioid Epidemic
When: Wednesday, March 17, 5 PM PT
Where: Clubhouse
Meet the head of Obama’s task force, Sarmed Rashid, for a discussion on the opioid crisis, the root causes, and how the government is addressing it.
Note: This session is part of the ongoing Grow SF Clubhouse Series, where we speak with folks from around San Francisco and in government to talk about what they do, help us understand how our city, state, and country operate, and how we can get involved.
Attend a Public Education Town Hall
What: Can We Hold the Board of Education More Accountable?
When: Wednesday, March 24, 7 PM PT
Where: An online event hosted by TogetherSF. Sign up here.
A newly formed public education campaign, the Campaign for Better San Francisco Public Schools is proposing an amendment to San Francisco’s City constitution to make Board of Education seats appointed as opposed to elected positions as they are now. Tune in to hear why they believe this is the path forward.
Sign the Shared Spaces Petition
Launched in the wake of the pandemic, the Shared Spaces program legalized outdoor dining and fast-tracked patio building permits for restaurants.
Since then, Shared Spaces has supported our beloved restaurants, helped our city's economic recovery, and brought us all a lot of joy.
Shared Spaces is set to expire in June 2021, but why should it? Sign this petition to help us make it permanent.
Join Us to Make JFK Car-Free Forever
What: Free community rally
When: Saturday, March 20, 10 AM to 2 PM PT
Where: 8th Avenue and JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park
JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park has been car-free since the start of the pandemic, and it’s been one of our region's bright spots in a trying year. It’s been wildly popular with walkers, runners, families with strollers, and really anyone who’s rolled through. It’s provided cultural connection, recreation, and safe passage while activating a beautiful stretch of public space.
Fun in SF
Check out some of our favorite fun activities happening in SF right now:
Entwined in Golden Gate Park
The spectacular light show and sculpture garden in Golden Gate Park has been extended through April 4. Remember to arrive late (it’s best experienced in the dark). This is an attraction not to be missed.
New Tennis Courts in Golden Gate Park
The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center in Golden Gate Park is now open! This incredible facility has 21 tennis courts, a brand new clubhouse, and more. San Francisco’s tennis courts are free to use. Reserve a time here.
Topical Tweets
Yes, there is good stuff on Twitter. Here’s some of it:
Decreasing the Distance recently shared a summary of the middle and high school reopening dates. San Francisco is a city with the world’s best innovation and technology, yet we’re behind everyone else in school’s reopening.
