Save the Date
The next PAR General Membership Meeting is on Wednesday, May 13, 7-9 pm at the Richmond Recreation Center, 18th Avenue between Clement and California. In addition to Board Elections, Supervisor Chan’s office will give us a D1 update, and we’ll be presenting information about several of the initiatives that will be on the June ‘26 ballot. Everyone is welcome. We hope you’ll come and learn more about how you can get involved with helping our terrific community.
These are the candidates running for Board Membership and Board Officers:
Board Membership: Jean Barish, Samantha Davis, Paul Epstein, Sharon Gadberry, Paul Epstein, Brian Kragh, Natalia Kresich, Zachary Nathan, Richard Rothman, Chris Wright
Board Officers: President – Jean Barish
Secretary – Sharon Gadberry
Treasurer – Chris Wright
Dear PAR Members,
These past few months have been busy and PAR has been involved with several important issues.
Housing and development continue to be a top priority for us. The Board of Supervisors recently approved Mayor Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan, legislation that will significantly alter the neighborhood character of the Richmond District and also impact rent-controlled tenants as well as the many small businesses we rely on that give our community so much vitality. To help mitigate the effects of this legislation we have an active Upzoning Group that is working to make you aware of these zoning changes and work on strategies to mitigate their impacts. You can learn more on our website.
We are also following several significant housing developments in the Richmond and hope to provide input regarding them soon. These include the construction of new housing at the site of the Alexandria Theater on 18th Avenue and Geary; a proposed 8-story housing complex at the site of the La Playa Safeway at Fulton and Great Highway; and a proposed housing development at the Presidio.
In addition to zoning and housing development, PAR has a committee that is focused on improving conditions in the many parks in our neighborhood, most notably Golden Gate Park. The large summer concerts in the Golden Gate Park affect much of the Richmond District, and we are working with the Recreation and Park Department to improve management of the traffic, noise, and other impacts that the thousands of people attending these concerts have on our neighborhood.
Transportation issues are also important to us. Recently, for example, the SF County Transportation Association has asked for PAR’s feedback on a transportation study they did of the western part of the city, including the Richmond District. We’ll be meeting with them soon to discuss the study and make suggestions for how to improve bus transportation and the commute between the Richmond District and areas south of Golden Gate Park. Meanwhile, please take this survey regarding possible changes to the 1 California
We also work closely with D1 Supervisor Connie Chan’s office as well as other City departments and agencies to improve business development, safety, recreation and other quality-of-life concerns in the Richmond. Perhaps most important, PAR wants to represent the concerns of all of our Richmond District neighbors. If there is a particular issue that concerns you, please send an email to us here.
In closing, thank you all for your continued support of the Richmond’s oldest community organization. Established in 1971, PAR remains committed to its mission to maintain and improve the quality of life in San Francisco's Richmond District by developing recommendations and implementing policies that maintain and enhance the physical and social dimensions of life in the Richmond District.
Learn more about PAR here
Please contact us with questions, suggestions, and offers of assistance. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
PAR Board of Directors
Jean Barish, President; Sharon Gadberry, Secretary; Chris Wright, Treasurer; Samantha Davis; Paul Epstein; Brian Kragh; Natalia Kresich; Zachary Nathan; Richard Rothman