Another round of virtual applause for our plugged-in panelists last week who were willing to share their thoughts – and the scoop when you cornered them – on SoMa’s emerging Midtown. From left to right above:
∙ Nina Gruen, Principal, GRUEN GRUEN + ASSOCIATES
∙ Daniel Hurtado, Executive Director, Central Market Community Benefit District
∙ Walter Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer, Trinity Properties
∙ Astrid Haryati, Director of Greening, Office of the Mayor, City of San Francisco
A favorite unforeseen topic: how might Astrid’s most recent post in Chicago lend itself to expediting activity in San Francisco? And of course, how long will it take for a Midtown neighborhood to really take off? (Our bookmakers put the over/under at five years.)
Once again, our thanks to Soma Grand for providing a terrific venue, beverages, and sponsoring the event. And yes, the next gathering is already in the works.
∙ Scoop: Next Wednesday’s (6/25) Gathering For Plugged-In People [SocketSite]
Midtown is New York. Midtown is Atlanta. there is no Midtown in San Francisco.
Thanks, Grrrr.
I would rather to see more developers to do some presentation about what they are thinking around SOMA instead of those city officials who can only preaching something useless, in my opinion.
How much does the “director of greening” get paid, anyone know?
“How much does the “director of greening” get paid, anyone know?”
Too much, whatever it is…
^^^ Why? SF is certainly in need of greening in many places. There are a lot of positions that I agree are probably not needed, but I’m not sure this is one of those. Do you know what it is she does, or are you just throwing out ignorant statements?
$130,700.
Underpaid compared to our “director of climate protection,” who makes $160K a year.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/20/MNMMUT8U5.DTL
Bakersfield has had a city worker in similar position for decades, but San Francisco can’t afford that kind of urban sophistication. The ROI for urban greening, especially trees, is phenomenal.
I thought midtown was Van Ness/ Polk area?
there is no midtown in San Francisco. Calling this area that is unimmaginative and disjointed. It is currently Mid-Market. However, that’s like saying Average or unexceptional, etc. Tom Owens of New Urban Properties called it best with “MiMa.” It wounds good. It’s a nicer variation of its real name (Mid-Market) and it isn’t an unforgiveably, lame rip of a hood moniker from another major city.
MiMa? God no. Talk about lame.
Marmite.
I dunno I still consider this whole area Soma. It is the ‘Soma’ Grand after all, not the Mima Grand. Mid Market is more like the Fox Plaza, Van Ness, Civic Center area.
There is a Midtown Terrace in San Francisco. Oddly enough, it’s smack in the middle of town.
Does midtown mean Mid-Market? CentralSOMA? We need another niche neighborhood in The City.