The Grow SF Report, Vol. 3
What You Need To Know
The latest updates on SF government progress, policies, and priorities:
S.F. School Board Turmoil Rages On
Amid ongoing battles between the S.F. School Board and frustrated parents, Board Commissioner Alison Collins was stripped of her Vice President title and committee assignments in a 5-2 vote of no confidence.
The vote resulted from a newly surfaced series of incendiary, anti-Asian tweets Collins posted in 2016. The ensuing outrage resulted in calls for her resignation from a rare coalition of progressive and moderate local political leaders and even yielded national coverage from The New York Times.
Despite this, Collins has refused to resign and is now suing the city and other school board members for $27M.
SF is Coming Back!
Maybe it’s been this week’s incredible weather, but there’s definitely a new energy returning to San Francisco. It seems life is (slowly) returning: rent is on the rise, conferences are being scheduled, and Outside Lands will happen in October. We can’t wait.
Update: SF COVID-19 Vaccinations
San Francisco continues to quickly distribute the vaccine. Here’s the latest:
Vaccination Rate: 44% of SF residents over 16 have received at least 1 dose. 26% have been fully vaccinated.
Eligibility: As of 4/1 (today), SF expanded eligibility to all residents 50 and over, and also others 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.
FYI: The CDC says vaccinated people don’t carry or transmit COVID-19.
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Rally Against AAPI Hate
When: Saturday, April 3, 1 PM
Where: Jane Warner Plaza, Castro
Join other city residents to protest hate incidents against the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
Sign the Petition for a Car-Free JFK
San Francisco now more than ever needs safe, inclusive, joyous public spaces for everyone. Parks with protected public spaces are where residents and visitors of San Francisco can be active, enjoy nature, and spend time with friends and family.
Join the coalition of families, walkers, stroller users, runners, bikers, scooter-ers, skaters, and seniors who believe that parks are for people and that everyone should be able to safely enjoy Golden Gate Park.
Your Dose of Data
When progress is hard to notice, we look at the data. Here’s what we found:
New Tree Plantings Across the City!
Spring is in the air, and the Department of Public Works is doing its part to brighten up our neighborhoods. DPW has planted 192 plants across the city since Jan 1, 2020, almost 3 per day. SoMA, Geary/Franklin, and Polk Gulch were the biggest beneficiaries in Q1, receiving over 50% of the new trees planted this year.
Over 50 Brisbane Box (Lophostemon Confertus) were planted, making it the most popular species planted YTD, edging out the Swamp Myrtle (Tristaniopsis Laurina) which was the most popular in 2020. Keep an eye out as you explore SF and send us pictures if you see any of our new neighbors!
For more on everything plant-life in the city, visit the SF DPW and SF Parks Alliance.
Fun in SF
Check out some of our favorite fun activities happening in SF right now:
El Rio’s Patio Reopens
When: April 1st (Today!) at 4 PM
Where: El Rio, The Mission
Beloved Mission District bar El Rio is finally reopening its patio, 12 and a half months after it was forced to close along with the rest of the bars across the city in March 2020. Thursday, April 1 is the big day — and the patio will reopen for table service at 4 PM.
SF Chinatown “Walkway Weekends”
When: Every Saturday and Sunday thru June 2021
Where: Grant Avenue, Chinatown
San Francisco Chinatown’s iconic Grant Avenue will be closed off to traffic and cars for a pleasant open walkway under vibrant red lanterns every weekend — now through June 2021.
Enjoy a historic street stroll, outdoor dining, and an Asian shopping experience.
Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile
When: Sundays 9 AM — 3 PM
Where: 37th Ave and Noriega
Come eat, drink, shop, play, connect and be local at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile, a festive open-air, year-round weekly market featuring local farmers, ranchers, food artisans, merchants, makers, artists, and organizations on a closed-to-traffic 37th Avenue between Ortega and Pacheco.
Topical Tweets
Yes, there is good stuff on Twitter. Here’s some of it:
San Francisco has a $1 billion surplus (yes, with a ‘b’) and Matt Haney needs help figuring out what to do with it. Send him your ideas on Twitter:
SF Chronicle columnist Heather Knight shares some gorgeous photos of the tulips in full bloom at the Dutch Windmill in Golden Gate Park. Check it out before they’re gone!
Families for San Francisco published a comprehensive summary of timelines, decisions, lessons learned from a year of distance learning, and the ongoing BoE controversy:
The Board of Supervisors is playing politics with a $25 million philanthropic donation to fund a city initiative to offer free summer school or daycare programs to kids:
Responding to the tweet above, Chris Sacca recounted his failed effort 15 years ago to bring free internet to San Francisco, which was promptly shut-down by the Board of Supervisors:
