Friends and neighbors,
Happy Spring! This season is known as the “season of hope,” and with it comes feelings of regeneration and restoration. Perfect timing with $2 million in federal funding we secured
to start a community-based planning process to reconnect the Japantown-Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhoods that were physically divided and harmed by the redevelopment-era construction of the Geary Boulevard/Fillmore Street underpass in the 1960s. I am grateful for our partnership with the Transportation Authority and community leaders who came together to win funds from the US Department of Transportation for this project.
Spring is also when crops are planted, to be harvested later to keep our bodies nourished. Food security is a priority for my office, and we’re deeply appreciative of the hardworking farmers who travel long distances to set up at the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and Sunday to feed our City. But I also know how hard it is for many people in our district to access nutritious food they need in one shopping trip, and at a price point they can afford.
That is why last week, I introduced a resolution to bring a full-service grocery store to the Tenderloin, a neighborhood that hasn’t had a full-service grocery store in decades. Since the Tenderloin was redistricted into D5 two years ago, we’ve spoken with thousands of community members, read every possible report prepared by city departments, task forces, and community-based organizations, and the message is loud and clear: the Tenderloin needs a full-service grocery store without further delay.
We are also continuing to protect food security for the Fillmore. Through incredible organizing by the community and pressure from our office, we were able to stop the Webster Safeway from closing until January 2025. There are five upcoming community meetings to discuss grocery options in the Fillmore District, hosted by the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Planning Department, and Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD).
Please RSVP here for more information about upcoming meetings.
Nearby in Hayes Valley, the new Trader Joe’s at 555 Fulton is finally slated to open this May, following numerous meetings with the developer, the buyer, and Trader Joe’s, active engagement from neighborhood residents, and my office calling for a hearing at the Government Audit and Oversight Committee
. It has been 15 years since the Board of Supervisors passed legislation creating the Fulton Street Grocery Store Special Use District, allowing for increased development capacity at 555 Fulton Street in exchange for authorizing a large-scale neighborhood-serving grocery store as a permitted commercial use. The 139 condominiums at 555 Fulton were built and ready for use, but the grocery store was missing until this recent win.
These food victories couldn’t have been done without a strong community behind our legislation and advocacy. You can show your support for a grocery store in the Tenderloin by signing this petition: https://bit.ly/tenderloin-grocery-store.
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As always, stay in touch with the District 5 office by emailing us at PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, calling (415) 554-7630, or replying to this email. |
Dean Preston,
District 5 Supervisor |
Arbor Day Fair and Planting 100 Trees in District 5
San Francisco celebrated Arbor Day on March 9 with the annual Arbor Day Fair, followed by a huge community tree-planting event in District 5. New Traditions Elementary School hosted the free festival and kickoff, which included bucket truck rides, planter box building, visits from the famous grazing goats, and many more family-fun activities. Over 200 volunteers then set out to the Tenderloin, NoPa and Hayes Valley with Public Works staff to plant 13 different species of trees in the district.
The mass planting was made possible through the Transportation Authority’s voter-approved transportation sales tax program (previously Prop K and now Prop L), which has provided $22.8 million for new trees and maintaining trees since 2004.
Our office planted a tree on Hayes Street with our friends from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, and the Transgender Cultural District. We’re looking forward to our tree adding to healthier air and climate protection, providing shade in the heat, improving traffic calming, and providing a calming presence to the neighborhood.
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Landmarking The Sacred Heart Parish Complex
We are proud to have helped the Sacred Heart Parish Complex, a site dating back to the late 1800s, receive landmark status this month. The site is situated in the heart of District 5 and consists of four contiguous lots bound by Fillmore, Fell, Webster, and Oak.
The church, rectory, school, and convent that comprise the complex are beautiful examples of the Romanesque Revival‐style of that era. The complex is significant for its association with master architect Thomas J. Welsh, who designed over 400 buildings in San Francisco and was one of the chief practitioners of the Romanesque Revival style in the city. The complex is also significant for its association with Father Eugene Boyle, pastor of the church from 1968 to 1972. A prominent and influential civil rights activist in northern California, Father Boyle served as the public face for Catholic involvement in the Black civil rights movement, protest of the Vietnam War, fights against urban renewal, fair housing advocacy, and the farm labor movement.
Since 2014, the Sacred Heart Church has also become home to the beloved Church of 8 Wheels, curated by David Miles Jr., where roller skaters can skate inside the beautiful church building. The Church of 8 Wheels is now in its 10th year of roller skating at the church.
With the historic landmarking status of this site, the owners have shared with our office their intention to continue this successful collaboration with Miles, which means that the church should continue to be a place for beginners and pros alike to put on their skates and groove to disco music under neon lights and stained glass windows.
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Hayes Valley March Community Meeting
Wednesday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Mercury Cafe (201 Octavia) |
Get a Bite @ Kiwicha and Support the Boys & Girls Club
Friday, March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kiwicha (277 Golden Gate)
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Easter Eggstravaganza 2024
Friday, March 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Buchanan Mall
Come out and join us at the Buchanan Mall to celebrate Easter amongst our community! There will be food, the Easter Bunny, activities, an egg hunt, and more to enjoy. Please bring your family, friends, and amazing energy to this family friendly event!
Celebrating Japantown Peace Plaza
March 30 and 31, April 7, 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Japantown Peace Plaza
Performances by Kotobuki Taiko, Cross Wind Band, JTown Ukes, Jest Jammin’ Band - SF Taiko Dojo, Sayonara Picnic Band + Jtown Hip Hop Experience
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Fillmore Food Access Community Sessions
Safeway is more than a grocery store. It’s a pharmacy, bank, and community asset. Join the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Planning Department, and Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) for community discussions on grocery options in the Fillmore District. RSVP here to stay updated.
Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m., Location TBD
Wednesday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m., Western Addition Library
Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m., Fillmore Heritage Center
Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30 PM - VIRTUAL
Thursday, April 25 at 11:30 AM - VIRTUAL
San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
April 13-14 and April 20-21
The very first Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival took place in late March of 1968 right after the opening of the Japan Trade Center (now Japan Center Malls), and we are grateful for the many local community groups who came together in a spirit of unity to contribute their cultural crafts. Over five decades later, the Festival has grown to encompass the many facets of traditional and contemporary Japanese and Japanese American culture, and now takes place during the two middle weekends of April. Learn more about our cultural programs that take place over the course of the Festival’s two weekends. Find all the events here:
https://sfcherryblossom.org/
Annual Hayes Valley Ham & Eggs Breakfast
Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Biergarten (424 Octavia) -- All ages!
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San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade
Sunday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m.
The Grand Parade will depart the Civic Center Plaza at 1:00 P.M., proceeding up Polk Street to Post Street, and ending in Japantown at Post and Fillmore Streets.
Streams of colorful floats will be carrying individuals of Japanese American and other Asian American communities. Japanese classical (Buyo) and folk (Minyo) dance groups from around the U.S. and Japan will perform throughout the parade route like a myriad of floating butterflies. Highly honored Boy Scout Troops from the Japanese American communities will march proudly along the streets. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and her Court, as well as sister festival courts will cascade their way to Japantown in beautiful floats. Anchoring the parade is the hoisting of the
San Francisco Taru Mikoshi by over one hundred strong individuals. It is a spectacle not to be missed, so be sure to come on out to cheer on the hundreds of participants!
Happy Hour Fundraising to Support the Boys & Girls Club - I Love Tenderloin Event
Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Phoenix Hotel (601 Eddy Street) |
Tenderloin Health Walk - I Love Tenderloin Week Event
Saturday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Boeddeker Park (Eddy/Jones)
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Magic Zone Summer Applications
MAGIC Zone will be accepting students into our summer program on a first come first served basis. Our summer program is eight weeks long, runs Monday-Friday from 8am-5:30pm, and primarily serves low income youth of color, representative of marginalized communities.Our program takes a youth development approach, integrating project-based learning in academic, enrichment and recreational activities.We offer literacy activities in the mornings with the afternoon consisting of different enrichment and sports activities. Field trips on Wednesday's and Friday's. We hope that you will join us for a memorable summer!Apply online at
https://www.collectiveimpact.org/magic-zone.html
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I Love Tenderloin Week
April 21 through April 27 |
Panhandle & Inner Sunset Project
The Panhandle & Inner Sunset Project WW-724 is resuming for street restoration only. Disruption may be significant from late March to early May. However, the neighborhood will finally be free of clanky steel plates.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Contractors will be performing street restoration in your area. Thank you for your patience during the work pause on the Panhandle and Inner Sunset Large Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
WHERE: Work will occur on Oak Street – Broderick to Divisadero Streets and on Fell Street – Cole to Clayton Streets.
WHEN: Construction is anticipated to begin March 25, 2024, with an estimated duration of 5 weeks (weather-permitting). Crews may be mobilizing and staging equipment in the area prior to start of work. General workdays and hours are Monday – Friday. Some night and weekend work may be required. Oak Street - M-F 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fell Street - M-F 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
INQUIRIES: Refer to Project 724 when contacting us Contact: SFPUC Communications (415) 554-3233 or ssip@sfwater.org After hours: 3-1-1. Anvil Builders, Inc. (406) 209-5430 or D'arcy & Harty
Trader Joe’s Job Fair hosted by Success Centers
March 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1449 Webster Street
There will be a new Trader Joe's opening up soon at 555 Fulton Street. Full-time and part-time crew member positions are available. Pay starts at $19/hour. For more information, text "JOE'S" to 415-503-7319. RSVP here.
Need help with a mental health or substance use problem?
To get started with care, call or visit the San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health Access (BHAC):
1380 Howard Street
M-F 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
888-246-3333
Small Business Vandalism Relief Fund
This grant provides up to $2,000 for vandalism-related costs. Examples of damages include broken windows, broken doors, broken locks, etching on windows, graffiti, and more. Apply here: https://sf.gov/get-grant-vandalism-related-costs-your-small-business-storefront.
For businesses in District 5, we have our own victim assistance program for small businesses impacted by broken windows. Eligible businesses can be reimbursed up to $4,000 of the cost of replacing a storefront window with a maximum of two reimbursements per year.
COVID-19 and Mpox Resources
Like everyone else, we are continuing to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Want to find resources?Click here to read about the latest on the City’s COVID-19 updates and resources, and here to read about the latest regarding Mpox. Please note: the City’s COVID-19 health officer emergency order has expired.
Food resources: https://www.sfhsa.org/services/food/free-food-locations
For a list of District 5 resources, including Adult and Family Services, Neighborhood Associations, Parks, Schools, and much more, please visit: https://sfbos.org/supervisor-preston-district-information-and-resources |
Fellowship & Internship Opportunities
Are you interested in learning about city government while fighting to win real, transformative reforms for the working class? Volunteer with the District 5 office! If you’re in college, some credits may apply, depending on your school’s program. Send your resume to PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, and we’ll take it from there.
Learn More About DSA SF
The Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 92,000 members and chapters in all 50 states. DSA believes that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. Check out the San Francisco chapter’s upcoming events here to see how you can help make San Francisco a more equitable city using people power. |
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