The GrowSF Report: Mayor London Breed announces $15.9 billion budget
The GrowSF Report: Mayor London Breed announces $15.9 billion budget
PLUS: Richmond district resident helps reunite victims with stolen belongings
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of May 27, 2024:
- Mayor London Breed announces $15.9 billion budget
- Richmond district resident helps reunite victims with their stolen belongings
- Chobani founder revives Anchor Brewing Co.
Recent & upcoming openings:
- A new Roman restaurant arrives in the Richmond
Mayor London Breed announces $15.9 billion budget
Mayor Breed announced a two year budget on Friday, proposing $15.9 billion in spending in 2025, an approximately 9% increase from the current budget, according to Gabe Greschler and Noah Baustin at the Standard. The spending increase is driven by the city’s “enterprise departments” such as the airport, which generate their own revenue.
Spending from the general fund remains relatively flat. The budget prioritizes public safety, with a nearly $100 million increase in agencies such as the police department, district attorney and emergency management, as well as departments impacting downtown, like public works.
The budget is able to overcome a projected $800 million deficit over two years by reducing hiring, cutting some nonprofit contracts, and dipping into rainy day reserves. “By investing in public safety, families, our economy, and improving the conditions on our streets, we will keep moving our city forward,“ said Mayor London Breed to the Standard.
The budget now moves to the Board of Supervisors Budget Committee, which is led by Supervisor Connie Chan. We’ll be watching the negotiations carefully and make sure safety remains a top priority.
Richmond district resident helps reunite victims with their stolen belongings
San Francisco is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Unfortunately, some who visit SF to experience all the great things our city has to offer also experience something else: a car break-in.
Mark Dietrich, a Richmond district resident, is helping reunite some victims with their belongings, reports Linda Badger at the Standard. Sifting through abandoned luggage and backpacks, Dietrich looks for clues to identify and locate the owners.
“Crime happens where cops are not, and we’re down 500 to 800 officers, so there simply aren’t the resources to fight this crime effectively,” Mark Dietrich said to the Standard.
On a positive note, car break-ins have decreased by more than half in the first quarter of this year from a year ago, and now there’s state legislation that could help further: SB-905 will close the “locked door loophole,” which states a vehicle burglary only applies to “locked” cars. Because it is difficult for victims, often tourists, to be around to testify that their doors were locked, prosecution rarely happens.
Car break-ins are not an acceptable part of city life, and we’re looking to our police department, legislators, and heroes like Mark to get this under control.
Chobani founder to revive Anchor Brewing Co.
The founder and CEO of Chobani, Hamdi Ulukaya, has acquired Anchor Brewing Co., an historic San Francisco brand that closed last year after 127 years in operation. This was a closure felt deeply by the community, marking the end of an era for a beloved institution that had become a staple in the hearts of many San Franciscans.
On Friday Ulukaya announced that his family office purchased all of Anchor's assets, which include the steam beer recipes, the 2.1-acre Potrero Hill campus, and the brewing equipment in the De Haro Street warehouses, according to J.K. Dineen at the Chronicle. The acquisition price was not disclosed, and plans are underway to modernize and reopen the brewery.
“It would be crazy to bet against the rebirth of this city. It’s a gold mine. It’s a treasure. Look at the sea, the mountains and the countryside and the spirit here. Everything you need is here,” Ulukaya said to the Chronicle.
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Recent & upcoming openings
A great city is constantly changing and growing, let’s celebrate what’s new!
A new Roman restaurant arrives in the Richmond
WHERE: 343 Clement Street (between 4th + 5th Avenue)
WHEN: Monday-Sunday, 11am-9pm
Bettola, an Italian restaurant where diners can order take-out or stay and enjoy a glass of wine, opened last week. The restaurant is the latest concept from owner Gianluca Legrottaglie of Montesacro Pinseria and 54 Mint Cucina Romana. Legrottaglie modeled the restaurant after an Italian “tavola calda” (translates to “hot plate”) where ready-to-eat dishes made in advance can be purchased, like pizza or rotisserie chicken, at an affordable price. If the food (especially the pizza!) is anything like Montesacro Pinseria, we are in.
The Spirit of San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city and the Bay Area. Here’s what makes it great. Brought to you by The Bold Italic.
What we’re doing this week
46th Union Street Festival
Experience the undiscovered. Tucked behind buildings, hidden in conversation, perched atop roofs, and sizzled in woks. Discover the magic within Union Street Festival. The Union Street Festival returns to the historic and charming Cow Hollow neighborhood on June 1-2, 2024 for its 46th year.
WHEN: June 1-2, 2024. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
WHERE: On Union Street between Gough and Fillmore, San Francisco CA
A summer of music in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bandshell
Golden Gate Park continues its legacy of free public concerts this summer, inviting everyone to enjoy the magic of live music in San Francisco. The lineup at the Golden Gate Bandshell promises to be a season of musical enchantment you won’t want to miss. Pack a picnic, bring your loved ones, and enjoy melodies for every taste in Golden Gate Park.
We had a look at Golden Gate Park Band’s calendar and picked out some notable selections for June, July, and August. These are our standouts.
What we’re writing about
Tequila, tastebuds, and tunes: A perfect day at BottleRock Napa Valley 2024
BottleRock Napa Valley isn’t just a music festival; it’s a full-on sensory feast that brings together top-notch performances, mouth-watering cuisine, and the best of Napa’s wine country. Held over Memorial Day weekend at the Napa Valley Expo, the 2024 edition proved why this festival is a West Coast favorite.
This immersive ‘Buffy’ prom slays
In the pantheon of iconic television, few shows have achieved the cult status and enduring legacy of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The series redefined the genre of supernatural drama, blending horror, humor, and heart into a compelling narrative that still resonates with audiences today.
Right now there’s an immersive prom experience that takes you into the Buffyverse at the Mint. Here’s what The Bold Italic thought of it.
Scenes from Carnaval San Francisco 2024
San Francisco’s Carnaval 2024 transformed our streets into a dazzling spectacle of color, rhythm, and unity this past Memorial Day weekend. The vibrant Mission District played host to this annual celebration, bringing together thousands of locals and visitors for two days of non-stop festivities, culminating in a grand parade filled with vibrant colors and music.
How Weird Street Faire to return in September
San Francisco’s How Weird Street Faire is back on with a new date and theme after bad weather washed out this month’s original plans. Originally scheduled for May 4 under the theme “Star Weird Day: May the 4th Be With You,” the annual outdoor celebration was postponed due to a heavy late-season storm that hit the Bay Area. The new date is is September 21 with some more details here.
San Francisco’s oldest restaurant: Tadich Grill
Known for its rich history and timeless charm, Tadich Grill offers a classic dining experience that harkens back to an earlier era in San Francisco. This article is part of SF Throwbacks, a feature series that tells historic stories of San Francisco to teach us all more about our city’s past. We thought it was a timely profile given the SF Chronicle’s recent criticism of this classic spot. How do you feel about Tadich?
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