Supervisor Eric Mar: Engaging young and old

I have been busy this summer building a stronger voice for Richmond District residents, young and old, in ensuring a fair and balanced city budget, equitable development for our community, and a more livable neighborhood.Ê

Our office has learned a great deal from the "silver tsunami" meetings with senior organizations and my recent tour of the new Institute on Aging/Bridge Senior Housing complex on Geary and Arguello boulevards.

I really enjoyed being "schooled" by the bright and articulate middle school students at the Richmond District Beacon Center, bicycling with Roosevelt Middle Schoolers on Bike-to-School Day, and connecting with the many students, teachers and parents who have visited my office this year. Ê

I have continued to support our neighborhood businesses through an expanded project for the Inner Richmond Clement Street area with the help of the city's Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative, and outer Balboa Street area building and street improvements with the help of the offices of Economic and Workforce Development and Public Works.

Improving Our Parks: Lands End and Playgrounds

For those of you who haven't heard, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in partnership with the National Parks Service has received a huge grant from the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund. The new $5 million grant brings the Fund's total support of Lands End to $8.6 million. It will be used to fund a 3,500-square-foot visitors' center at the Lands End Trailhead at Merrie Way, with displays expected that describe the rich cultural and natural history of the area. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

Thanks to Park Ranger George Durgerian, an Outer Richmond resident, for walking me through Lands End, Sutro Dunes and Sutro Heights areas recently and for his tireless work to protect the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of our nation's treasures.Ê

Following the Lincoln Park Playground's recent successful renovation, Fulton Playground and Cabrillo Playground are the next two parks in District 1 slated for major renovations. Both projects are 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond projects and the community has been working hard together with staff from the SF Recreation and Park Department to come up with some exciting ideas for our parks.Ê

Supporting Community Voice in Development ProjectsÊ

I amÊcontinuing my work with neighborhood groups regarding the CVS Pharmacy proposal to move into the long vacant retail space at 3132 Clement St., at the old Safeway/Albertsons building. This site has been vacant since 2006 and CVS intends to occupy half of the space. ÊThe first public meeting regarding CVS Pharmacy was held on June 24. At the hearing, IÊappreciatedÊCVS' representatives' openness to listening and addressing the concerns of the many Richmond District residents who attended. I am working with community groups and CVS representatives to ensure that the next meeting, on July 29, is even more inclusive of limited English speaking residents of the Outer Richmond.Ê

I was also pleased that Target representatives held a well-attended first community meeting regarding the old Sears/ Mervyn's site at 2675 Geary Blvd. All attendees that spoke up and that I talked with seemed extremely excited at the prospect of having one of the first Target stores here in San Francisco. I am working to ensure that the community's interests are taken to heart and that the new Target is well integrated into this bustling public-transit-rich area.Ê

Safeway held a follow up community input meeting regarding the Outer Richmond Ocean Beach store on June 30Êat the SF Zoo, which brought together residents from the La Playa and 48th Avenue sides of the site. Multiple new plans were presented and the community commented and critiqued the newest project proposal. Stay tuned for more follow-up community meetings regarding Safeway's plans for this site.

Protecting the Critical Safety Net/Budget Balancing

Over the past few months, I worked diligently with colleagues on the SF Board of Supervisors to pass a balanced and equitable city budget, which includes a hard fought $44 million package of restorations that preserve critical safety net services for our City's most vulnerable people. This means organizations like the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, Beacon Center, Richmond Area Multi Services, Inc., and many others, will be able to continue their crucial services to our community. Ê

While funding to many community-based organizations was restored partially through the budget process, we anticipate heavy budget deficits in the next two years. Therefore, the City really needs your support for future revenue measuresÊto maintain and improve the critical safety net services that help seniors, children, working families and the poor continue to live and thrive in San Francisco.

Striving for an aging-friendly City

The Census Bureau reports that San Francisco has theÊhighest percentage of senior citizens and highest median age of all large cities in the country. In addition, our senior population is expected to dramatically increase by nearly 60 percent in a short 20 year period, fromÊ160,000 (20 percent of the City's population) to about 250,000 people.

That's why I am working with a community coalition and the city's budget analyst to conduct a review of practices and resources that might enable aging adults in the City to live in their homes and communities independently. ÊWe are reviewing the approximate number of seniors on affordable housing and public housing wait-lists in San Francisco, summarizing demographic information about seniors, reviewing independent living programs and models, and providing legislative recommendations for incentives that encourage property owners to make residential upgrades that increase accessibility and safety.

Thank you Cassandra!

Lastly, I'd like to thank my former Legislative Aide Cassandra Costello, who recently left my office. She dedicated much of her life over the past six years to serving the people of the Richmond District through my office and with my predecessor, Supervisor Jake McGoldrick. I can't say enough about her professionalism, incredible work ethic, warmth and compassion for people and tireless commitment to the Richmond District and City of San Francisco.

Though we will miss Cassandra very much, we wish her the best at her new job at the Recreation and Park Department.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my staff Linshao Chin or Les Hilger at (415) 554-7410 orÊmarstaff@sfgov.org.

San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar represents District 1.