Hopefully, the abundant April showers will bring May flowers to the Richmond District in time for summer! From the Institute on Aging's new senior care facility opening on Geary Boulevard, to the official opening of St. Peter's Place at 29th Avenue and Clement Street, an affordable housing development for those with disabilities, the Richmond District has been making great strides towards access to social services and sustainable living options. I was honored to attend this wonderful event with Mayor Edwin Lee and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
St. Peter's Place sits on the land that was once the St. Peter's Episcopal Church sanctuary, which had been vacant since the 1989 earthquake. At the opening, I had the wonderful opportunity to honor Father David Rickey. He and the congregation were the catalyst for the St. Peter's Place project back in 2003. Without the amazing work of Rickey, congregation members, community members and the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, St. Peter's Place could not have been built. Thank you to all who made this project possible to serve one of the most vulnerable and in-need populations in our City.
As summer approaches, I look forward to getting outside to enjoy the nice weather - enjoying the great outdoors at Golden Gate Park and bonfires at the beach with my daughter. Join me on Bike to Work Day on May 12, while we promote a healthier community and cleaner environment by reducing pollution.
Our office, in partnership with Sen. Leland Yee's office and community organizations, will be hosting the Richmond District Community Health Fair on May 14 at the Richmond Recreation Center (251 18th Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by for free health screenings, information on healthy living, free food, activities for children and giveaways, including bicycle helmets for children.
As budget season approaches here at City Hall, it is very important that we get your input on what budget priorities and concerns are at the top of your list. Mayor Lee joined me and a number of city department heads at the Richmond Recreation Center on April 27 for a Town Hall Meeting on the city's budget. I was happy to see more than a hundred neighbors participate, engage in discussions with the mayor and city staff. We heard from residents with concerns about senior services, mental health services and small businesses.
In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever that we take steps to protect and promote small businesses within the Richmond District. To that end, I have been working with the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development on legislation to help fill vacant storefronts and support small businesses. I have also been working with the Office of Small Business to assist small businesses facing difficulties, including challenges with lawsuits due to ADA compliance issues.
Recently, San Francisco adopted legislation that I authored to help reduce the amount of fats, oils and grease being discharged into our local sewer system. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) in our sewers are a serious problem because FOG hardens and clogs our sewer pipes, creating blockages and overflows that cost the City up to $3.5 million per year in repair costs. This ordinance will help prevent FOG from entering our sewers and will save the City money.
Now that the legislation is being implemented, education and outreach to our local restaurants continues. I wanted to let the community know about two workshops in May where restaurant managers can learn about the FOG ordinance. Important information will be provided, such as what types of restaurants may need to install automatic grease removal devices, or what restaurants may not need to install equipment. Information will also be provided about financing options for equipment.
The information provided at these workshops could save your restaurant money, so it's important if you own or operate a restaurant to be informed. The workshops will be on May 17, at 2:30 p.m., at the Four Seas Restaurant, 731 Grant Ave., and May 18, at 2:30 p.m., at the SF Women's Building, 3543 18th St.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact my office
at (415) 554-7410 or send an e-mail to Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org; you can also stop
by my monthly coffee hours, which will be held on May 19, between 10 a.m. and
11 a.m., at Javaholics, 449 Balboa St.
Eric Mar is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 1.