As we wrote going on two years ago:
Going green might be trendy (and we’re all for it), but as far as we’re concerned it’s a focus on density (and infill) that will define the next era in San Francisco’s development, neighborhoods, and lifestyle.
From the San Francisco Business Times today:
Bay Area government officials on Tuesday announced they received $229 million from the state to build housing near transit hubs and other developments that increase housing density.
UPDATE: And as a plugged-in reader points out we summarized three weeks ago:
In the last round of California Proposition 1C infill infrastructure grants voters approved in 2006, “San Francisco developers won seven state grants worth $96 million” versus one grant for $5 million the last time around.
We should have noted that this is one and the same story with the development of 333 Harrison and 2235 Third Street, and the redevelopment of a public housing complex in Hunters Point among the recipients.
∙ The Next Era In San Francisco’s Development: It’s All About Density [SocketSite]
∙ Bay Area nets $229 million for new housing [San Francisco Business Times]
∙ San Francisco Developers Land $96 Million In Infill Grants [SocketSite]
I’m crossing my fingers that some developers who own property in Rincon Hill get in line quick! The Rincon Hill neighborhood is THE prime high-density, high-rise residential spot in the Bay Area thanks to our close proximity to the hub of Bay Area public transit (Transbay Transit Center, BART, Caltrain, and the ferry boats at the Ferry building) … not to mention a pretty decent bicycle network and walkable distance to the downtown jobs center. Send those folks over to Fremont Street between Harrison and Folsom…
I’m crossing my fingers that some developers who own property in Western SoMa get in line quick! The Western SoMa neighborhood is THE prime high-density, residential (& artist & work) spot in the Bay Area thanks to our close proximity to the hub of Bay Area public transit (Transbay Transit Center, BART, Caltrain, Muni underground, Muni buses) … not to mention a pretty awesome already built bicycle network, and walkable distance to union sq shopping, civic center, market st, theater district, financial district, high tech corridor, etc. Send those folks over to 8th – 12th & mission – townsend.
Jamie, this is grant money that was just awarded, so the developments are already identified. And at least one of them, I believe, is in Rincon Hill. Hunters View in Bayview also got a big slug of funding. Socketsite already posted a variation on this story a week or so ago..it’s old news at this point.
Oh .. darn … i was hoping it was new money in addition to what Oz got for 333 Harrison. Oh well … thanks for clarifying.
so if these are government funded housing, what kind of housing are we talking about? Some form of market rate housing or BMR or Section 8 thing here?
By the way, I appreciate the humor re: natomahead, but I don’t think the reality is that Western SOMA’s existing residents would allow a 60-story … or even a 40-story … building off of Market Street to go up. Maybe I’m wrong …
there’s no way in heck that the developers of luxury condo towers, like those unbuilt ones in Rincon (e.g. 399 Fremont, 45 Lansing) would ever get a cent of state grants for infill. That money will all go, rightfully, to projects targeted at lower down the economic ladder and those that achieve other major public objectives. I believe the Emerald Fund’s 333 Harrison project was selected because they are proposing to build more than the City’s minimum requirements for affordable housing and because their site would also feature a public park. The state isn’t going to through its/our money at market rate projects aimed at the uber-wealthy. They can fend for themselves on Wall Street.
Jamie – do you realize everything you write sounds like a press release or a marketing pitch? I think it hurts your credibility as that style of writing puts me and a lot of people on alert that we’re being manipulated.
I understand the need for density, but I wonder if taxing us is the way to achieve it? Couldn’t other incentives be used without more spending with money this broke state does not have? Is there a housing shortage in such places as listed in the article such as Santa Rosa? (Is there still a housing shortage in the Bay Area for that matter?)
@jamie:
actually market st is not in w. soma, so the residents wouldn’t have anything to say. Ur probably right about 40-60 stories in w.some though, but really, 500ft-800ft luxury buildings is not what is needed in w.soma. the current w.soma plan does allow for large developments. they (devs) would have to pay some community benefits to build it though (like parks, community centers, etc).
anonconfused….this money is bond money, approved by the wise voters of California several years back. So the politicians can’t be blamed for this, and it’s also pretty much set in stone how the money will be spent.
You are right that the “shortage” condition of housing has changed, but there is arguably greater need than ever to concentrate housing supply near transit, given the ever greater concerns about fuel/global warming/pollution/etc. And, parochially, this bond program is very good for dense cities like SF and Oakland, which are reaping a big chunk of the bond funds because they are ready and willing to build transit oriented housing.
Well, I suppose everybody is entitled to form their own perceptions and make their own judgements (informed or otherwise). I enjoy getting to know my neighbors and advocating for improving the livability and quality of life in Rincon Hill. I know I’m an oddball in that regard … most people wouldn’t bend over to pick up a piece of trash on the sidewalk to save their lives much less put hours and hours voluntarily into work that has little to no financial reward (my condo value is about $75,000 in the hole, but I guess it could be wrongly argued that that is my financial incentive). I advocate for the Rincon Hill neighborhood voluntarily. If my writing sounds a bit polished, I admit that I did graduate from the University of Michigan with a dual major … economics and communications. I guess those press release and newswriting classes taught me some good (bad?) habits after all.
Here’s a book suggestion to figure out folks like me …. Community by Peter Block.
Jamie – do you realize everything you write sounds like a press release or a marketing pitch?
I find Jamie’s boosterism refreshing. A grass roots person trying to improve their nabe. Nice counterpoint to the cheerleaders and the bears.
would I ever live in SOMA/Rincon? nope. But I love seeing that area of town through someone’s eyes who does. Truly “plugged in” if you will to that local scene.
I’d really love to get some prominent NIMBY’s on here as well, to discuss/defend some of their actions (like a certain infamous theatre anyone?).
A community works best if there is diversity of thought IMO.
I know pretty well one of the more active members of MADC. I doubt he would be willing to post, as I am sure he would get ripped apart, but I can ask him if he is interested. He already knows about SocketSite.
If he can take the rough and tumble of planning hearings and street protests, then there is no reason to fear SocketSite. This isn’t South Korea.