San Francisco’s archipelago of neighborhoods are what make our City so special. Many of them - from North Beach, Chinatown, Polk Gulch, Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, to Jackson Square and beyond - are in District 3, and we’ve long understood that small business corridors are the backbones of these intact neighborhoods.
The threat of COVID-19 to our small businesses and their workers is staggering - 54% of restaurants may close permanently, and many industries (including fitness studios and barber shops) remain closed and are hanging on by a thread.
There is hope. The Mayor announced earlier this week San Francisco’s updated reopening plan which is available online at SF.gov/reopening. All San Franciscans must do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, including face masking, social distancing and hand washing. While every story of a small business closing is a blow, we’ve also celebrated new businesses opening, as small business owners adapt and innovate in the midst of an unprecedented crisis.
My office is working hard every day, night and weekend to expand City relief: repurposing the public realm for “Shared Spaces,” cutting red tape and waiving fees, regulating predatory online platforms that siphon critical margins from small business, passing rent relief and a commercial eviction moratorium, and making sure we do it all with public safety - and worker safety - at the fore. Read on, and please stay safe. The road to recovery remains ahead.
Sincerely,
Aaron
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New Guidance on
Reopening Personal Services
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This week, the City officially announced new guidance to allow certain personal services to resume outdoors. This is a huge deal for many of our local barbershops and salons, and their workers. Not only is this another step towards bringing back vibrancy into our commercial corridors, it is also a huge relief for those of us in dire need of a trim! While we move forward with this phase of reopening, please remember that COVID-19 can still be spread through close contact. Let’s make sure we don’t set back our progress and continue to follow the latest public health practices. Check out the Tip Sheet from Department of Public Health to ensure you have everything you need for a safe and successful reopening. |
Included in this week's announcement, the City also provided the next steps in our reopening strategy, which will expand the reopening to additional low-risk outdoor activities and in-person learning for students in the next two months. Check out the complete timeline and full guidance here. |
Small Business Resilience & Recovery
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Two-year Extension for "Shared Spaces"
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When SFMTA announced its Slow Streets program to close primarily residential streets to automobile through-traffic , I pushed for solutions that fit the high density commercial corridors of District 3. From those conversations, the Shared Spaces Program was born, and District 3 now has the most approved Shared Spaces of any District in the City, by a factor of 3:2.
While the Shared Spaces Program has proven critical for small business recovery, I’m also mindful that not everyone is served by the privatization of public space. To that end, I’ve advocated for hybridized, creative uses of public space that meet a variety of community needs, including to expand learning and childcare opportunities for San Francisco’s families.
Shared Spaces have transformed our streets and economy, from Grant Ave (both in Chinatown and North Beach), to Waverly Place, to the Lower Polk alleyway network. I’ve introduced and the Small Business Commission unanimously supported my legislation to extend Shared Spaces for two years, without red tape or fees. |
| Pushing for geographic equity to bring Shared Spaces to Chinatown. Go check out the street changes at Waverly Place, too! |
Top: Loving the rainbow Shared Space at The Cinch (1723 Polk St.), the last standing gay bar on Polk Gulch. Thanks for the photo, Janet Clyde (of Vesuvio fame!)
Bottom: Lower Polk gets the treatment, too, with Austin Alley looking beautiful and inviting - come on down! |
“CU Sooner”
Streamlining the City’s Permit Process
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Late last year, we heard the horrifying story of Italian Homemade’s application to open on a once vibrant stretch of Columbus Ave., which encountered almost a year of bureaucratic delays before being finally approved.
By way of background: For decades, restaurants, bars and other tourist-oriented businesses have required special hearings to balance their proliferation at the expense of other community-serving businesses like hardware stores and laundromats. Absent other tools, these regulations are among the only ways we advance complete communities and preserve a diverse array of business types that make our communities whole.
But there’s no excuse for would-be small businesses to wait nearly an entire year for their hearing, often while they’re investing money in renovations and rent in reliance on a timely approval. My “CU Sooner” legislation expedites the Conditional Use (“CU”) process so that businesses get their hearing in 90 days or less or their full money back. By cutting fees and putting the onus on City departments to process applications more expeditiously, we hope to decrease bureaucracy, reduce expenses, and smooth the path for new businesses to open.
This is only one step in the path toward neighborhood recovery. My office is working closely with the Mayor’s Office and City departments to ensure that the forthcoming “one-stop shop” for all small business permits is a success and reduces friction in the process. |
Expanding Liquor License Eligibility for North Beach Limited Restaurants
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I have introduced legislation that provides urgent relief to restaurants that deserve wine and beer licenses, and takes an important step toward fixing this anomaly across other San Francisco neighborhoods. A recent survey by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association included a startling response that over 50% of San Francisco restaurants may never reopen. My legislation offers immediate relief to qualifying restaurants in North Beach.
Ray Lee, Jessica Furui, and Tadayuki Furui of Family Cafe at 362 Columbus Ave., one of the many North Beach businesses that will benefit from this change in the law. Thanks, Family Cafe! (Image courtesy of EaterSF.) |
Ending Predatory Commissions
by Food Delivery Apps
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As virtually every food establishment in the City has come to rely on food delivery apps, the predatory commissions charged by entities like UberEats/Grubhub/Postmates/DoorDash - in some instances upwards of 30% with additional surcharges to the customer - left many restaurants feeling kicked while they were down.
In April of this year, I joined Mayor Breed in issuing an emergency order capping delivery app commissions at 15%. Since, my office has taken on the tough work of crafting a more permanent, lasting solution. We’re working with the restaurant industry and delivery apps to craft a business model that is conducive to the success of independently-owned restaurants.
In the meantime, if you know restaurant owners who are being hit by high fees or worried about how to sustain their customer base even as restrictions lift, let them know we’re working on it and would love to be in touch. Email my staff Lee Hepner.
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In the meantime, if you know restaurant owners who are being hit by high fees or worried about how to sustain their customer base even as restrictions lift, let them know we’re working on it and would love to be in touch.
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Celebrating Business Openings
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It’s become all too commonplace to hear the sad news of businesses closing, which also means it’s more important than ever to celebrate the innovation and adaptability of San Francisco’s small business community.
When DJ and Stephen’s fitness studio was shut down by COVID-19 regulations, they pivoted quickly to open up a plant store - perfect for those of us trying to greenify our Shelter in Place environments. It was a pleasure to join them, the North Beach Business Association, the Small Business Commission and a gathering of friends and neighbors for a ribbon cutting ceremony last week. Go visit Petite Monstera at 1821 Powell St! |
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Thanks for planting the literal AND figurative seeds of neighborhood recovery, DJ and Stephen!
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Just before the pandemic hit, we celebrated the opening of Il Cilentano at 579 Columbus Ave. They’re still open with beautiful outdoor seating - stop by!
Know of any other upcoming small business openings? We’d love to hear about them!
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Rent Deferral & Forgiveness on Port Property
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Last week, the Port Commission unanimously approved a program to offer rent relief for up to 196 commercial tenants on Port property, amounting to upwards of $13 million in relief for these struggling businesses.
Tom Escher (pictured above) of the Red & White Fleet, who - on top of the impacts of COVID-19 - had his offices burned down in the Pier 45 fire in May of this year. We’re continuing to raise money for the rest of the Pier 45 tenants.
The Port’s recently approved rent forgiveness program provides tiered relief for restaurants, retailers, maritime excursion firms like the beloved Red & White Fleet, as well as for fishers, crabbers, and a whole range of small engineering and construction firms. I join the voices of those hoping that this might serve as a model for other City departments. In the meantime, my hope is this will help our beautiful waterfront spring back to life. |
On-Demand Testing for ALL Employees
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Of course, as we talk about small business, neighborhood, and general economic recovery, we are mindful that none of this works unless it is done safely. We’ve heard the concerns from some members of the public who feel unsafe traversing the sidewalks of Shared Spaces and while we have yet to hear evidence that these outdoor activities are contributing to transmission, we're working directly with the small business community on self-regulating and promoting higher health & safety standards.
Worker safety is also top of mind. If you have to leave home for work, especially for those who interact with the public and maintain our essential services, you are eligible to get tested with or without symptoms at one of the City’s testing sites. Testing is free, even if you don’t have insurance - just make sure you select “No Insurance Required” on the top left corner. You don’t even need an ID and information collected will be kept confidential.
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City Test SF - Piers 30/32
Eligibility: Anyone living or working in SF
Convenient for people in vehicle
Hours: 8am-6pm, Every Day
Click here for more information.
Chinese Hospital - 845 Jackson Street
Eligibility: Check for eligibility when calling to make an appointment
Hours:11:30am-12:30pm M-Sat except public holidays
Call for appointments:1-628-228-2828
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Tested Positive? We’ll take care of you. I know that workers’ livelihoods is also important and can be a deterrent when it comes to testing. The City’s Right to Recover Program guarantees two weeks of minimum wage replacement to workers who work in San Francisco and have tested positive. Those who qualify for the program will also be offered free hotel rooms so you can safely isolate and recover in peace. There is no application process and immigration status will not affect your eligibility. Simply email workforce.connection@sfgov.org or call 415-701-4817.
In addition to treatment and prevention, my job is to ensure everyone has the information you need to protect and support yourself, your workers and business. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, don’t hesitate to contact me and my office at peskinstaff@sfgov.org if you have any questions about resources available to you.
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| My office was working with community on public arts and culture activation even before COVID-19. Last year, we secured funding to build on and expand the legacy of North Beach's First Fridays Art Walk, including artist support. Now during COVID-19, we've been working to (safely) activate Lower Polk with art and music, as well. Join me THIS FRIDAY to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Austin Alley's "Shared Spaces" public realm launch, before we head over to North Beach to support outdoor art and video projections! |
Read my August column in the Marina Times (“The future of families: Why it should matter to all of us”) for a list of my office’s priorities to ensure families, children, and teachers have the resources and organization they need to succeed now and into the future, including:
- Closing the digital divide
- Providing consistent, culturally-competent communications
- Catching up with a year-round learning program
- Re-purposing the public realm with children and schools in mind
- Meeting the health and safety needs of our underpaid and overworked public school teachers, and
- Investing in our schools, including at the ballot box.
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My office spent weeks working with Spring Valley Elementary School Principal Sonny Wong and other SFUSD staff on a laptop and WiFi hotspot distribution plan (above). In addition to Spring Valley Elementary School, our office has helped coordinate resource redistribution at Redding Elementary, Gordon J. Lau Elementary and Jean Parker Elementary Schools.
In fact, last week, my staff Calvin Yan went back to his alma mater, Jean Parker Elementary School, to assist with Chinese language translation for San Francisco Unified School District’s distribution of learning materials. Along the way, he reunited with the beautiful art wall he helped create many years ago. |
Are you worried about making this month’s rent? In San Francisco, you cannot be evicted for failure to pay rent due to a financial loss resulting from COVID-19. I’ve also passed legislation prohibiting rent increases and pass-throughs during the COVID-19 emergency, and - most recently - legislation to help tenants #ShelterInPeace amid ongoing construction. If you need assistance, contact my office by replying to this email, or reach out to the Tenant-Landlord Clinic which my office created in 2017 and for which we just secured ongoing funding in this year’s budget.
Finally, my office is working on legislation to empower tenants with the right to organize in large multi-unit buildings, inspired in part by the organizing work of Veritas tenants citywide. Read more about the effort here and contact Lee Hepner in my office to get involved.
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Affordable Housing Opportunity
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| As we near completion of 178 units of brand new affordable housing at 88 Broadway and 735 Davis, applications are live to enter the lottery for 37 of those units. If you already live nearby, you are eligible for Neighborhood Preference. If you or someone you know are interested, please visit housing.sfgov.org for more details and to apply. |
The Northeast neighborhoods are experiencing a crime wave involving garage break-ins and thefts, primarily of bicycles. We understand that at least 19 recent incidents are connected, and we are working closely with investigating authorities, who are collecting video footage and latent fingerprints. Please contact SFPD Lt. Scott Ryan of the Burglary Unit at scott.ryan@sfgov.org if you have any information.
As the investigation moves forward, and in an effort to prevent this from re-occurring, SFPD have advised installing an additional lock on the garage door from the inside so that even if a garage cord is pulled, the garage will not unlock. Please also remove garage remotes from vehicles parked outside. We understand this is distressing, particularly on top of everything else, and we look forward to a swift resolution. |
District 3 Census Outreach
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My office continues to organize neighborhood- and community-level events to get the word out about the 2020 Census. It is absolutely critical that SF get its numbers up if we’re going to have fair and adequate representation at the federal level. It doesn’t help that the President just pushed up the Census deadline by a month, but that means we are redoubling our efforts. Go to www.sfcounts.org to get counted today!
We had amazing turnout at last week’s Census Caravan to make sure our BIPOC and API communities get counted! Special thanks to my staff Sarah Souza for spearheading these efforts, and to all our community partners. |
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Creative use of the public realm is critical for neighborhood recovery and for the ability to all residents to get outdoors and recover safely. I’m delighted to see fast progress being made on Phase 2 of the Jefferson Streetscape Project, part of a larger plan to re-acquaint local residents with Fisherman’s Wharf, a neighborhood too long viewed as serving tourists only.
While the dense, mixed-use corridors of District 3 have proven far more conducive to Shared Spaces and small business recovery, the Slow Street on Lombard adjacent to Joe DiMaggio Playground is alive and well. Coming soon: outdoor ping pong, courtesy of local business AMDT Ping Pong! |
Yulan Festival In Chinatown
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I cannot tell you how pleased I was to be with Chinatown family last weekend in celebration of Yulan Festival, a traditional ceremony to scare away evil spirits - COVID-19 and California’s disastrous wildfires were heavy on people’s minds - while celebrating the resiliency of the human spirit and strength of community, no matter the adversary.
Thank you to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Lotus Taoism Institute, and Yau Kong Moon Kung Fu Studio for a truly beautiful event. |
WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with feedback, upcoming event ideas, or anything else you think we should know about. I can be reached at Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org and please copy my hard-working staff whose contact information can be found here, along with all past newsletters and official correspondence from my office.
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Board of Supervisors | District 3 | Aaron Peskin
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