On the agenda for San Francisco’s Land Use and Economic Development Committee this afternoon, a resolution authorizing the Mayor’s Office of Housing to exercise a Redevelopment Agency Purchase Option for Mission Bay Block 13 East (a.k.a. 1180 4th Street) and approving a long term ground lease to Mercy Housing for a term of 75 years with a 24 year extension option for the development and operation of affordable housing.
From Daniel Solomon Design Partners who designed the project along with Kennerly Architecture and Planning:
1180 Fourth Street marks the corner of 4th and Channel Streets as a gateway to San Francisco’s Mission Bay South. This setting carries civic obligations unusual for an affordable housing project; it demands a welcoming and richly articulated building to set the standard for development to follow. As a community-oriented development for 150 low-income families, this building must hold its own amongst larger, market-rate neighbors and biotech campuses.
The project includes 11,000 sq. ft. of retail space lining Fourth Street, anchored by a corner restaurant space, and a community building facing Channel Park to serve the greater neighborhood. Common areas include two mid-block courtyards and a rooftop garden; a teen room, exercise room, day care and supportive services.
Not a bad looking building but I am curious what the function of those view-blocking blinders might be. Keep the poor families on the straight and narrow?
i love that this is going to be affordable housing – we’ll get a full retail wrap (11k sqf!) and zero parking. excellent and excellent.
the “blinders” are sunshades for the windows. They keep glare out of the apartments and reduce climate-control costs. It’s pretty standard on new “sustainable” buildings. Think of them as vertical awnings. I agree they look a bit clumsy in these renderings.
“it demands a welcoming and richly articulated building to set the standard for development to follow.”
Whoa! Articulated is one thing, but does it really have to try that hard? The end building in particular is goofy looking. Pull it back, tone it down. People have to live there.
IMO
Invented, I think what the author was trying to get at is the perception among middle and upper class people that multi-unit housing for those who can’t currently afford market rate apartments is synonymous with undesirable “housing project”, and that such a building doesn’t belong in this neighborhood.
Do you really need to be pointed at examples in San Francisco?
So yes, it does have to try that hard.
Just from these renderings here, I think I like it. I’m glad projects don’t have to LOOK like projects. Or low-income housing, whatever. Same diff.
But . . . there is already an entire low-income (welfare) building in Mission Bay, 325 Berry. Do we really need ANOTHER one? I see some of the freaks driving like maniacs on The Embarcadero to get to Berry. Enough already.
They should do the integrated approach of low and moderate income mixed with regular priced units in the same building. I believe they are trying to do this with the Potrero Hill Projects.
oscar, this will be the first building in the entire area, so they can get away with a full on low income (or more likely, no income, except for welfare) building here because there won’t be legions of neighbors to object. I suspect they rarely have this kind of opportunity in SF and will take full advantage of it.
I take it these projects turn into second chance housing for people who have been kicked out of federal public housing due to violence, gang or drug activity. I think it’s good to allow even violent criminals a second chance. People do turn their lives around, and I assume they’ll be kicked out of here sooner or later if they continue to relapse.
I believe Strata was the first building in the area, radiance was 2nd and radiance part deux will be the third. An additional 2 or 3 residential developments are also under construction in the form of market rate apartments (UDR is one of them I think). Not to mention the 5 or 6 projects across the canel that are a stones throw away.
Also, low income housing in SF is defined as making 80% below the median income. That equates to $60K for a single person or $86K for a 4 person family.
Tipster – your comments about these being 2nd chance housing for violent criminals from Federal prison seems to be an outlandish statement and far from the truth. If you are right, at least the new hospital will be around the corner for all the victims.
I’m enjoying watching this neighborhood develop and like what they have done so far. I look forward to seeing this project and the others in the area move forward.
It’s excellent that we are building more afforable homes in SF. The prices of rent are just unaffordable in SF for a family. I think the homesless rate is horrible, there are so many bums laying in the street. Building more afforable housing is going to better our economy hopefully.
I believe to assume that everyone applying for housing in the complex on 4th is either a criminal or drug addict is indeed a display of what happens when a neanderthal is left with too much time to think, without the guidance of an evolved individual to assist them.
I have applied for housing in this development and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between my lifestyle, and that of any other socially well adjusted human who contributes to the beauty of my community from my presence alone.
I understand the fears associated with the low income populace of San Francisco, however we must not forget that this is a city of love and tolerance, of hope and civil justice. I personally will be starting my new job with the city of San Francisco, I am a talented writer, artist, song writer. I have an appreciation for the arts and sacred geometrical, mathematical music. I boast an IQ of 140, volunteer frequently at various non-profits including KQED. I have been designing a talk show for the last three years, that will actually discuss all the wonderful qualities of my city, including resources for poor families.
Even with all that, I come from a broken home, and Iam free from an abusive marriage and recent fiance’. I have a story that I am currently restructuring to crate a better future for me and my son. I believe in social reform, I love the planet I live on, and I believe San Francisco to be the best city in the world
I said all that, to say this. We are people just like you and your family. Break bread with us some day, and you may find you like us, and have a few things in common:)
This building needs to look in the mirror before it goes out and take one thing off. Maybe the bracelet.