Camille She: PAR Keeps an Eye on the 'Hood

The Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR) is not a catchy name. But it very aptly describes what this neighborhood group does.

My five year old, who associates the word "planning" with phrases such as "planning a playdate," once asked rather hopefully, "Mommy, what kinds of things are you planning?"

Well, we are (as promised) Planning for the Richmond. The organization focuses mainly on Richmond District land-use issues in order to safeguard and improve the quality of life for the people that live here.

Founded in 1970, PAR is a non-profit corporation (501c). It is the largest neighborhood association in San Francisco, having a membership of approximately 1,500 dues-paying households in the Richmond District.

Issues come to the attention of PAR through a variety of channels: A district resident will voice a specific need or concern; referrals come from the SF Board of Supervisors or a city department, such as the planning, recreation and park, and police departments; or another neighborhood group may ask us to become involved.

Members of PAR's board of directors sit on a variety of city commissions and boards, as well as several San Francisco task forces and citizen advisory committees. They also serve on the boards of various educational, religious and social service groups in the Richmond. The group regularly interfaces with the North Park Neighborhood Association, 25th Avenue Neighbors Association, Park Presidio Neighbors, and both the Greater Geary Boulevard and Clement Street merchants associations.

Board members also serve with the SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Planning & Urban Research, Doyle Drive Citizens Advisory Committee, Central Freeway Citizens Advisory Committee, Richmond Neighborhood Center, Richmond Interfaith Coalition, Friends of Sutro Park, Coalition to Save Ocean Beach, Neighborhood Association for Presidio Planning, Friends of the GGNRA, Neighborhood Parks Council, Housing Action Coalition, and other groups.

Examples of involvement are many. The owner of the Toyota Agency (located at Geary Boulevard and Second Avenue) sought PAR's support for a lease of the former Cala Supermarket located at Geary and Fourth Avenue, for use as an auto service shop. PAR's interest was in possible traffic problems and improvement to the Geary Boulevard streetscape.

Similar views were expressed to Kaiser Permanente regarding plans for its renovation of the French Campus at Geary and Fifth Avenue. (PAR is a member of the Kaiser Citizens Advisory Group.)

A PAR member has served on the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority since its inception, and has been deeply involved with the Concourse plans to ensure that traffic patterns have no negative impact on city streets. Concerning the issue, there is close coordination between the North Park Neighborhood Association (NPNA), the SF Department of Parking and Traffic, Richmond Police Station and PAR Vice President Michelle Stratton.

Even with the underground garage in Golden Gate Park open, there is continued involvement by PAR members concerning traffic calming and the improvement of recreational opportunities in the park via service on the citizens advisory groups of both the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

The historic renovation and expansion of the Richmond Branch Library on Ninth Avenue has seen PAR's testimony for both state and local bond funds. We were active not only in the financing aspect, but during the architectural and landscape planning stages as well. Members of PAR serve on the Richmond District Libraries Campaign's steering committee. They also organized Friends of 10th Avenue Mini-Park (on the 10th Avenue side of the library), and have raised nearly $10,000 for the library. (Please contact Camille She at 831-7000 to find out more about how you can help fund a new play structure.)

PAR was the leading advocate during the 13 years it took to secure funding for the Richmond Recreation Center on 18th Avenue through the Open Space Fund, and has raised more than $7,000 in funds to purchase athletic equipment, office equipment and supplies for the facility.

Friends of Lands End (FOLE) and PAR recently filed suit in federal court against the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) for non-compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). This came after two years of futile negotiations, and before the VAMC could proceed on a large research facility within 50 yards of homes on Seal Rock Drive. The plan lacks adequate turn-around access for fire trucks and information concerning the toxics to be used in wet and dry (animal and non-animal) research.

PAR works with innumerable residents, property owners, architects and developers on their plans for both residential and commercial properties. This includes six religious congregations, medical facilities, and neighborhood park groups. There is always a lot going on in our great neighborhood!

If you would like to help PAR keep the Richmond District and its quality of life on the right track, check out our Web site at www.sfpar.org. It is updated monthly with a calendar of events and an update of "what's happening" in the district.

Camille She is a member of the Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR).