The Grow SF Report, Vol. 24
The Grow SF Report, Vol. 24
The latest updates on SF government progress, policies, and priorities
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city this week:
Last Call for School Board Recall
The deadline to get enough valid signatures is fast approaching. A few thousand signatures are still needed with 10 days to go.
Visit one of the many locations throughout San Francisco where you can sign an official recall petition before the September 7 deadline. Click here for locations and times.
You can also sign the petition at this convenient curbside drive-thru:
Sunday August 29
11am to 1pm
Lowell High School
1101 Eucalyptus
Bring your friends and family.
Bikes and walk-ups welcome.
NOTE: A legal recall petition must be signed pen on paper. If you added your name to an online petition, it does not count!
DRIVE-THRU MAP: Sunday August 29 from 11am to 1pm
Duplexes For Everyone!
San Francisco’s State Senator Scott Wiener said he was “over the moon” this week when the lawmakers in Sacramento passed historic housing legislation in the assembly.
Senate Bill 9 legalizes duplexes everywhere in the state. Senate Bill 10 gives cities the ability to zone for up to ten homes per lot without lengthy environmental analysis. It also allows legislators to override voter-approved downzones. This Los Angeles Times editorial puts it in perspective: “To Save California, Sacrifice Single-Family Zoning.”
These bills matter because they will make it easier to create the housing that will help more people be able to afford to live in California. San Francisco supervisors have repeatedly said they want to retain local control because they know what's best. But our city supervisors have repeatedly failed to take any notable action. Legislators like Scott Wiener in Sacramento are doing what cities in California are failing to — actually taking action to address our housing crisis.
Leaning Tower of San Francisco
Efforts to shore up the leaning Millennium Tower in downtown San Francisco aren’t working so far. It began sinking soon after construction because foundation pilings were not drilled down to bedrock. Windows cracked as the building sank to one side and residents could feel the lean on upper floors.
Engineers said they could fix the problem by adding pilings from the sidewalk. But things are only getting worse: “The foundation has sunk a full inch since the start of the work, translating into a lean of as much as five more inches at the top, resulting in a tilt of 22 inches toward Fremont and Mission.” Read the full report here.
Most Neighborhoods in San Francisco Grew
Data from the 2020 census shows that most neighborhoods had a population increase over the last 10 years. One exception: Bernal Heights. Despite being a very desirable place to live, the area added almost no new housing and therefore couldn’t welcome in more families.
SFUSD to Purchase Air Purifiers
Kids are back in school but now there’s a new concern: bad air quality could force windows to be closed, preventing fresh air flow. Luckily a plan is in the works. SFUSD is “looking into spending $2.9 million on portable air purifiers to combat poor air quality from wildfires, district officials said on Monday”.
Waymo Beginning Autonomous Car Service in SF
You’ve probably seen the Waymo Jaguar SUVs driving all around the city. They are finally ready to start taking passengers! You can apply to be an early rider through their “Trusted Tester” program.
A driver will still be at the wheel to ensure a safe experience.
Update: SF COVID-19 Vaccinations
With the delta variant spreading, it’s important that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated.
Delta variant update
If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine and are worried about the Delta variant, San Francisco’s Department of Public Health Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic (AITC) and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) are offering supplemental mRNA shots.
Current stats
Vaccination Rate: 86% of SF residents over 12 have received at least 1 dose. 79% have been fully vaccinated.
Eligibility: All SF residents 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated!
Vaccine Sites: Find a vaccine site near you.
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Vote in the Governor Recall Election
The most impactful thing you can do this week is to vote on the Governor Recall election. This election is going to be close. How close? FiveThirtyEight has the odds of a recall dead even.
What do the betting markets think? They have Gavin winning 3:1.
Justice for Vicha Mural Unveiling
Join us in solidarity to support the API community, #StopAAPIHate and support victims of violence. A new mural will be unveiled in Chinatown to remember Vicha Ratanapakdee, who was killed by an act of senseless violence.
Sunday, August 29, 1 PM
California & Grant
www.justice4vicha.org
Fun in SF
Check out some of our favorite fun activities happening in SF right now:
Explore Closed Streets in the Castro
We love closed streets and we love outdoor dining. Thanks to Supervisor Mandelman for securing the funding to keep Noe and 18th closed to cars (but why does this take money??).
The Singapore Food Festival is Coming
Topical Tweets
Yes, there is good stuff on Twitter. Here’s some of it:
With Delta on the attack, office space in the city remains empty.
