Planning Association for the Richmond, SF

Accessible parking forum this Saturday (Oct 19)

The Mayor's Office on Disability (MOD) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will be hosting a public forum about accessible parking policy this Saturday morning, Oct 19. This forum is an opportunity to learn more about, and provide feedback on, the Accessible Parking Policy Advisory Committee’s recommended policy changes to improve access to parking for people with disabilities.

Accessible parking forum
Saturday, October 19, 2013
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – welcome and poster session
11 a.m. to noon – presentation and discussion
Port of San Francisco, Pier 1, The Embarcadero

Members of San Francisco’s Accessible Parking Policy Advisory Committee, a stakeholder group comprised mostly of people with disabilities, will present their package of state and local policy recommendations to increase access to parking and reduce disabled parking placard misuse. The package includes:

1. Increase blue zones
2. Improve enforcement of placard misuse
3. Improve DMV oversight of placard approvals
4. Allow jurisdictions to require placard holders to pay at the meter
5. Direct revenue to accessibility improvements
6. Allow jurisdictions to establish reasonable time limits for placard holders

Learn more about the committee and its recommendations at the project web page

Read the updated report covering the committee process, research, recommendations, outreach, and next steps.

The Muni F-line Historic Streetcar has an accessible stop in front of the event location at The Embarcadero and Washington Street. The closest Muni Light Rail/BART station is the Embarcadero Station, approximately 1/4 mile away. For Muni route, schedule, fare and accessible services information anytime, visit SFMTA.com or call 311.

The meeting location is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and others with disabilities. Assistive listening devices, materials in alternative formats, American Sign Language interpreters and other accommodations are available upon request to [email protected] or (415) 701-5380. Providing at least 72 hours notice will help ensure availability.

If you can’t make it on October 19, please send feedback to [email protected] or by calling 415.701.5380.

Property Assessment Appeal Period Ends September 16

If you own property in San Francisco, you should be aware that you can appeal the assessed value of that property, but the deadline for appealing assessment is coming up quickly. Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu has sent a letter to PAR and other community groups with an important reminder:

On Monday, September 16, 2013, the City and County of San Francisco will close the filing period for a formal appeal of the 2013/2014 assessed property value. The period for appeals opened on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Many property owners are not aware of this appeals deadline, so the Office of the Assessor-Recorder wants to make every effort to ensure they are aware of their rights. We see the appeals process as an opportunity for property owners to bring additional information to the table.

Our office is beginning to see a decline in the number of appeals for the first time in over four years, with 2012/13 appeals decreasing to 5,500 from 6,399 in 2011/12. As home prices in San Francisco rise, this trend of declining appeals is likely to continue as homeowners see their property regain its base year value.

In order to appeal, property owners must complete the Application for Changed Assessment form (accessible by visiting www.sfgov.org/aab) together with a non-refundable $60 administrative processing fee and submit it no later than 9/16/2013 to the Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall, Room 405, San Francisco, CA 94102.

You can read Assessor-Recorder Chu's full letter here.

Board of Supervisors: AT&T Utility Boxes

 

To: SFB Coalition and Utility Box Working Group

Tomorrow, June 28th, the Board of Supervisors will take up the AT&T Utility Box issue once more at 2PM. It is widely expected, per aides to Supervisors and by an article in the San Francisco Examiner, that the AT&T Utility Box EIR vote will be continued until July 12.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/06/att-supes-stalemate-utility-boxes

Since Planning, Department of Public Works and the Public Utility Commission department heads have yet to respond to Supervisor Wiener's inquiry on the conformity of DPW Order 175, 566 with the General Plan: Urban Design Element and the Better Streets Plan, we expect department heads to report their findings at the Land Use and Economic Development Committee on July 11, one day before the tentative vote on AT&T's EIR. 

In the mean time, San Francisco Beautiful will be launching a window sign campaign (roughly 15" x 24") to demonstrate support for an EIR for AT&T's utility box blight. We hope to have these signs ready by the end of the week. These signs demonstrate grassroots community support for an EIR, efforts that truly sway the votes of Supervisors.

 - How many window signs would you be willing to place/distribute in your neighborhood or in your neighborhood commercial district?

 - Can you distribute window signs to your neighborhood and community members?

 - Are there volunteers to table in front of neighborhood businesses or at community events to distribute signs, write letters, postcards, etc.?

We want to ensure that there is more than adequate window sign coverage in Supervisor Farrell and Supervisor Wiener's districts. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

Regards,

Jonathan Goldberg
Associate
San Francisco Beautiful
100 Bush Street, Suite 1580
San Francisco, CA 94104
T. 415.421.2608 x13
F. 415.421.4037
[email protected]
www.sfbeautiful.org

SF Beautiful will be moving to Suite 1812 on July 1. Please make a note in your address book.

Mark your calendars!

Our Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, October 14, at the Palace Hotel.

Join us as we celebrate and honor neighborhood projects from throughout the City!

=

Richmond Station Newsletter

 

 

 

Richmond Station Newsletter

Friday, June 17, 2011

 

Captain’s Message

 

. Some most recent concerns in the District have been residential/automobile burglaries as well as strong arm robberies (the use of force) and graffiti.  We have increased our efforts by saturation of plainclothes officers in those areas of reported break-ins, uniform officers patrolling targeted venues and traffic enforcements operations.  We had a residential burglary where a suspect was inside the home of the victim upon their return to the house.  The victim with assistance of community members held the suspect until the police arrived.  This suspect was a parolee in violation of his parole thus an additional charge was added to his arrest sheet.  We are focusing on the identification of parolees and probation violators who frequent our district as they tend to be the individuals who are committing most of our crimes.

 

The strong arm robberies by use of force have been in the evening hours when individuals are walking home or waiting for a bus.  These incidents are opportunistic for the suspects as they seek out victims that usually are by themselves.  They will approach the victim from behind, grab the victim’s property and flee on foot.  Some suspects have been seen running to a waiting vehicle after the crime.   The other situation is the victim is overpowered by two or more suspects who take the property from the victim by means of physical force.

 

It is very important to be aware of your surroundings.  Try to frequent well lighted areas or walk with a friend.  Keep your cell phones in your pocket or bags as suspects have focus on grabbing phones out of the hands of victims while the victim is talking on the phone. 

 

Graffiti has been a frequent complaint in the district.  It is vastly important to report all criminal activity that is observed in an expeditious manner.  If a criminal is observed committing a crime of robbery, burglary, auto break-in or graffiti call 911.  The response by community member/citizens will result in the reduction of crime in our area.  Graffiti must be cleaned immediately after a report is made to the police so the tagger(s) understands that it is not tolerated in our city.

 

An issue that was brought to my attention is the solicitation of electronic items from TVs, phones and computers to be dropped off at a specific location, date and time.  The communication (flyer) asks that telephone numbers and names to be left with the items.  First, one should not place items such as the ones listed above in areas throughout the streets or parking lots in the city.  There are locations to bring electronic items for recycle.  The second issue is you can be the focus of a complaint by another if observed dumping items.

 

Richmond Station distributes an email newsletter every Friday.  Our newsletter, which is sent to several hundred email addresses, contains information about recent crimes, arrests and upcoming events in the District.   To be added to this list, please email us at  HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected].  

 

Thank You,

 

Captain Keith Sanford

Richmond Station

 HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]

 

Noteworthy Arrests

 

On 06/11 at 8:35pm, plainclothes officers were in the area of Fulton & 6^th Ave.  They observed the suspect with a spray paint can in his hand, walk up to a digital roadway sign.  The officers observed him graffiti the back of the sign and when they approached him, he took off running.  The officers chased the suspect and detained him on the 400 block of Cabrillo.  The officers located the same “tag” in several other locations along Fulton St.  The 28 year old male was charged with vandalism.

 

On 06/12 at 2:13am, a shooting occurred on the 3500 block of Geary Bl.  The suspects fled in a vehicle which was later stopped by officers.  Two suspects were charged and the investigation is on going. The victim was hospitalized with non life threatening injuries.  

 

On 06/13 at 12:40am, two suspects forced their way into an apartment on the 3400 block of Geary.  The suspects then beat and robbed the victim, striking him with a hammer.  The suspects fled the scene, but one was identified and arrested later in the day.

 

On 06/15 at 1:30pm, on the 1700 block of Pierce St the victim came home for lunch and noticed her dog was acting peculiar.  The dog kept looking towards the bedroom and the victim saw that her bedroom door, which she had closed prior to going to work, was now open.  She looked into the bedroom and saw some of her belongings strewn on the bed.  As she entered her room she looked into her closet and saw the suspect looking through her things.  The victim yelled at the suspect who then ran out of the house.  The victim then ran after him screaming for help.  Several persons heard her and chased after the suspect.  One neighbor caught up with the suspect on the 2400 block of Bush St. and tackled him to the ground.  With the assistance of another neighbor, the two men held the suspect down until the police arrived.  The 48 year old male, who was also a wanted parolee, was charged with burglary and possession of stolen property.

 

Noteworthy Incidents

 

On 06/12 at 11:35pm, the victim was aboard a 38 Geary MUNI line which had just stopped at Geary and Arguello.  The victim had her cell phone in her hand as the two female suspects passed her in the aisle.  One of the suspects tried to grab the phone from the victim and a struggle ensued.  The suspect then ripped the phone from the victims hand and passed it to the second suspect.  The second suspect fled the bus with the phone as other passengers on the bus attempted to detain the first suspect.  The passengers had grabbed the back of the suspect’s jacket, which she was able to slip out of and flee.  The suspects fled north on Palm Ave.  The were described as being in their early twenties, the first suspect wearing  a white t-shirt and black sweatpants with writing on the side.   The second female was wearing a black and gray scarf, sunglasses and a black hooded sweatshirt.

 

On 06/15 at 10:30pm, the victim was in the Laundromat on the 2600 block of McAllister.  He was working on his laptop when the two suspects entered the business.  One of the suspects grabbed his laptop while the other wrapped his arm around the victim’s neck.  There was a short struggle and the suspects fled with the laptop, south onto Parsons.  The suspects were observed getting into a dark colored sedan and fleeing the scene. 

 

 

Richmond Station Resource List:

 

EMERGENCY

911

Police/ Fire/Ambulance

Non-Emergency

415 553-0123

 

Cell Phone 911

415 553-8090

 

Anonymous Tip Line

415 575-4444

Citywide

Anonymous Tip Line (Richmond)

415 668-7387

Richmond Station Tip Line

Customer Service Center

311

 

Richmond Police Station

415 666-8000

Email:[email protected]

Captain Keith Sanford415 666-8031Email:  HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]

Community LiaisonOfficer Lorie Brophy Email:   HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]

415-666-8000
Quality of Life Liaison	Officer Rafael Labutan	415 666-8000

Deputy City Attorney415 554-3880Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Department of Parking & Traffic	415 553-1943	DPT
Department of Public Works	415 695-2020	DPW Dispatch
Graffiti Abatement	415 278-9454/415 278-9456 fax
Graffiti Abatement Coordinator	Sergeant Stephanie Long	Email:[email protected]
Homeless Issues	Officer Gary Mendribil Officer Robert Ramos

SFPD WebsiteHYPERLINK "http://www.sfgov.org/police"www.sfgov.org/police

	For Crime Stats, Internet reports, etc
SF SAFE	415 673-SAFE (415 673-7233)	Email: [email protected]
Child Passenger Safety Seats	Officer Francis Feliciano Officer Young Chi	415 666-8000
FOOT PATROLS	Geary Boulevard	Clement Street
Officer Phil Busalacchi 666-8000	Richmond Beat 43
Officer Eddie Wu 666-8000		Richmond Beat 43C
Officer Stanley Lee 666-8000	Richmond Beat 44

 

 Do you want to learn a valuable trade? 

The Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California is accepting
applications for a FREE nine week Carpenters Pre-Apprentice Program in
Pleasanton.
This program is an intense full time training course. Upon successful
completion, graduates become eligible to enter into a Carpenters
Apprenticeship Program.
This training is being offered to serious applicants only.
Applications are available online and can be mailed in.
www.ctcnc.org OR Apply in person at CTCNC Pleasanton Training Center
2350 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton CA 94566
Contact: Local 22 Representative Manuel Flores at (415) 355-1322 

Join the San Francisco Community Police Academy 

 

The Community Police Academy is a 15-week program that meets once a week and is designed to inform and teach interested participants various aspects of municipal policing, including patrol and investigations procedures, vehicle operations, arrest and control techniques, firearm procedures and emergency communications. 

The Academy’s goals are to develop community awareness through education and to develop a closer understanding and working relationship between the San Francisco Police Department and its communities. Members of the community are encouraged to join and learn about the San Francisco Police Department. Participants can ask questions and offer comments within each class. The next class is scheduled to start later in the year. We now also have a Youth Community Police Academy, geared towards high school students and will last 10 weeks. 

 

The Community Police Academy participants are selected by the program coordinator after an application process. Enrollment is limited to twenty-five students per class. 

For more information, including application process, please contact Ms. Lula Magallon at (415) 401-4720 or Officer Maria Oropeza at (415) 401-4701.

 

Become a Community Court panelist and give back to your community. 

Community Court is a restorative justice program that addresses misdemeanor crimes which occur in your neighborhood. As a panelist, you have a unique opportunity to hear offenses that impact your quality of life, determine its consequences, and figure out how best to resolve it using meaningful sanctions. Use your neighborhood wisdom to solve neighborhood problems.  Make your neighborhood better - get involved today!

For more information, please contact the District Attorney's Office, Jackson Gee, 575-6328 or [email protected]. "  

Events Calendar

 

Socrates Café (Philosophical Discussion Group)

When: First Sunday of the month

Where: Café Muse - 785 8th Ave (@ Fulton) 

Details: Take a break from politics and join a thoughtful, relaxed discussion of the ideas and values that underlie our efforts to be good people, neighbors, and citizens.  More information, please contact Linda Greenberg 415-668-5239.

 

Seniors Moving to Better Health

When: Mondays: 10-11:00 am & Wednesdays: 9:30-10:30am Drop-ins welcome

Where: St James Community Learning Center

4620 California Street @ 8th Avenue

Details: Join “Always Active” FREE exercise program for seniors.  Fall Prevention, Strength and flexibility training.  Free Wellness Plan.  For more information call 415 752-0139.

Land's End: Sutro Highs And Lows

When: Every Saturday at 2pm

Where: Meet at the lion statue at park entrance, 48th Ave. & Pt. Lobos Ave.

Public transportation: MUNI line 38.

Details: Recapture the flavor of Mayor Sutro's gift to the public, the park and baths of the late 1800s. Dramatic, wind-swept vistas in sunshine or fog. Somewhat strenuous. HYPERLINK "http://sfcityguides.org/desc.html?tour=47"http://sfcityguides.org/desc.html?tour=47

 

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Farmer’s Market

When: every Wednesday, year round 10am – 2pm

Where:  Geary at St. Joseph's Street, San Francisco

Details: The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Certified Farmers' Market is your best source for fresh-from-the-farm, seasonal fruits, vegetables, greens and nuts. Make a visit to the market a part of your weekly routine!  The farmers at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Farmers' Market bring you the freshest locally-grown fruits and vegetables. For more information, please visit: http://www.pcfma.com/marketdetail.php?market_id=10.

 

Harvest Food Pantry

When: every Saturday, 7:15 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: St. John's Presbyterian Church, @ Arguello & Lake

Details: Networking with the San Francisco Food Bank, we distribute supplemental groceries to 150 needy families & individuals at the church. Since Oct. 2000, we’ve distributed over 250,000 pounds of food. Would you like to volunteer? We are always seeking help from willing individuals including children, seniors and students. Many students use our program to fulfill their learning service requirement. If you would like to join us, please contact Dale Walker at [email protected] for more information or simply show up!

 

Multi Cultural Children’s Art Workshops MCAP (Multi Cultural Children’s Arts Program)

When:  Saturday mornings, 10-12pm

Where:  Richmond District Neighborhood Center, 741 30th Avenue, (between Balboa and Cabrillo)

Cost:  Refundable fee, $5/class/child

Details:  Spring Arts Workshops are for children ages 6-12.  There is a different workshop each Saturday.  You can sign up two workshops per child.  Please call Jane at 751-6600 for class availabilities and information or visit www.rdnc.org.

Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance.     

Committed to the preservation and enhancement of Golden Gate Park.  

For more information, please visit:  HYPERLINK "http://www.goldengateparkpreservation.org/" http://www.goldengateparkpreservation.org/

Community Resources

 

Opportunities for Young Children 

Saturday Learning Time Preschool 

When: Saturday mornings at 9:00a.m to noon. 

Where: 4620 California Street. 

Details: Offering free preschool classes for children (2.5 to 5 years old) not currently enrolled in a preschool program. Classes are free but nine parent service hours are required per school year. Call 415-751-1199 for more information.

 

Multi Cultural Children’s Art Workshops 

MCAP (Multi Cultural Children’s Arts Program) 

When:  Saturday mornings, 10-12pm 

Where:  Richmond District Neighborhood Center, 741 30th Avenue, (between Balboa and Cabrillo) 

Cost:  Refundable fee, $5/class/child 

Details:  Spring Arts Workshops are for children ages 6-12.  There is a different workshop each Saturday.  You can sign up two workshops per child.  Please call Jane for class availabilities and information at 751-6600, or visit website:  www.rdnc.org. 

*The Multi Cultural Children’s Arts Program is a program of the Richmond District Neighborhood Center

 

Free – Kids Yoga In The Park 

When:   Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. 

Where: Botanical Gardens of Golden Gate Park
Details:Geared towards ages 3-10.  Come and join in the fun!
Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.purushayoga.org/parkyoga.htm"www.purushayoga.org/parkyoga.htm for details.

Free – Kids Yoga 

When:   3^rd Sunday of every month Where: Sports Basement, Crissy Field
Details: Come and join in the fun!  Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.purushayoga.org"www.purushayoga.org to learn more about the instructors.

Opportunities for Adults

 

Free - Yoga In The Park 

When: Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. 

Where: Botanical Gardens of Golden Gate Park
Details: Come and play outside, outdoors, in nature with instructors Adnan and Joy!
For more information, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.purushayoga.org/parkyoga.htm"www.purushayoga.org/parkyoga.htm for details.

 

Buddhist Meditation 

When: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., 

Where: 4620 California Street. (downstairs-Caldwell Room). 

Details: Meditation.  To sign-up or for more information please contact: Community Learning Center Director at 415-751-1199 

Overeaters Anonymous 

When: Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. 

Where: 4620 California Street. (downstairs - Caldwell Room) 

Details: A 12-step based program addressing eating concerns.  To sign-up or for more information please contact: Community Learning Center Director at 415-751-1199 

Debtors Anonymous 

When: Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. 

Where: 4620 California Street, (downstairs-Caldwell Room). 

Details: A 12-step program to help manage monetary expenses.  To sign-up or for more information please contact: Community Learning Center Director at 415-751-1199 

 

Opportunities for Seniors

Seniors Moving to Better Health

When: Mondays: 10-11:00 am & Wednesdays: 9:30-10:30am Drop-ins welcome

Where: St James Community Learning Center, 4620 California Street @ 8th Avenue

Details: Join “Always Active” FREE exercise program for seniors.  Fall Prevention, Strength and flexibility training.  Free Wellness Plan.  For more information call 415 752-0139.

 

Seniors without Walls

Games, Writing Workshops, Current Events, Armchair Travelers, Health Presentations, Support Groups, All on over the telephone and FREE!  If it’s difficult for you to go out to a community senior center, you are welcome to join these or any of our other activities listed below – all from the comfort of your home.  Please call for more information at our toll free number 1-877-797-7299 or visit us at www.SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org. 

 

Community Resources

 

Free Diabetes Screenings for the UNINSURED

Think you might have Diabetes, but have NO Health Insurance?? 

Come for a free blood sugar screening at the San Francisco Free Clinic

Where: 4900 California St. @ 11th Ave

When: Monday through Friday's 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Details:  Please arrive fasting (only water after midnight the night before)

Reach-Plus

Having trouble paying your PG&E bill?  We may be able to help you.

You will need:

•    a residential PG&E bill, 15 days or 48 hours notice

•    to have identification for all household members

•    to have income verification for all household members

•    to meet low-income guidelines

For more information please refer to the flyer, here, or call 1-800-933-9677.

 

Megan’s Law Website Access:

The general public can find out information on sexual predators on line by going to the DOJ website: www.meganslaw.ca.gov or at the SFPD link at www.sfgov.org/police. You may check specific names or zip codes to locate those listed in the database.

311 Customer Service Center:

What is 311? 311 is a toll free, NON-EMERGENCY phone number that the public can call to access information about government services. A live customer service representative will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. The service is available to both wired and wireless customers. Wireless customers should call (415) 701-2311. 311 employees will be able to provide translations services in more than 145 languages and dialects and will employ a diverse staff of customer service representatives. Additionally, 311 is set up to accept calls form the hearing impaired by utilizing a TTY System.

 

Cell phone 911:

How does 911 work on cell phones in San Francisco?

If you are on surface streets in San Francisco and dial 911, your call will be answered by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management Services. Once the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management Services determines what emergency services are needed, they will then route your 911 call to the San Francisco Police Department or the San Francisco Fire Department, including ambulance service. 

 

If you are on or near a freeway in San Francisco and dial 911, your call will be answered by either by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management Services or the California Highway Patrol Dispatch Center. Regardless, your 911 call will be routed to the proper emergency agency, the San Francisco Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, or the San Francisco Fire Department, including ambulance service.

 

Community and Business Groups & Associations

ORGANIZATION	ADDRESS	OFFICE #	CONTACT
Golden Gate Park Senior	6101 Fulton	666-7015	[email protected]

Lincoln Park Senior Center417 31st Ave751-1140HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Menorah Park3365 Sacramento929-7912HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Richmond Senior Center6221 Geary Bl752-2815HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Russian American Services	300 Anza	387-5336
Self Help For Elderly	408 22nd Ave	751-3394	selfhelpelderly.org

Booker T. Washington CC800 Presidio928-6596HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

YMCA Richmond Branch

360 18th Ave

666-9622

ymcasf.org/Richmond

Richmond Area Multi Service3626 Balboa668-5996HYPERLINK "http://www.safteynetwork.org"www.safteynetwork.org

Institute on Aging 750-4111HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Jewish Community Center3200 California346-6040HYPERLINK "http://www.jccsf.org"www.jccsf.org

Richmond District Neighborhood Center741 30th Ave751-6600HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Richmond Village Beacon 750-8554HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Clement St. Merchants Assoc. 752-8889HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Geary St. Merchants Assoc. 387-1477HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Laurel Village Merchants Assoc. 221-3965HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

Lower Pacific Heights Assoc.

921-2856

Planning Assoc. for the RichmondMessages & Faxes 

Direct line541-5652

668-8914HYPERLINK "http://www.sfpar.org"www.sfpar.org

Sacramento St. Merchants Assoc.

921-9575

[email protected]

 

Captain Keith Sanford

Richmond Police Station

461 6th Ave

SF, CA 94118

666-8000

415-666-8060

 

Presidio Visitor's Center/Heritage Center

Colleagues:

 

Displayed below are two messages concerning a Visitors Center (VC) (and perhaps a Heritage Center, HC) for the Presidio and two different meetings concerning that subject.

 

The first message dated May 24th is from Karen Braseth on behalf of Amy Meyer concerns the sixth of six "public workshops" that was scheduled a week later for May 31st and that was sponsored by the National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust and a meeting the very next morning of her "People for the Park/Presidio" group on that same approximate subject. 

 

The second message dated June 14th is from Sharon Gadberry and, in it, she reports on the next morning's meeting of the "People for the Park/Presidio"group and the reports it received from the previous night's public workshop. .

 

Participants in the six public workshops were informed that the three organizations sponsoring them would synthesize the recommendations from the workshops and then post them on the Presidio Trust's web site for public reviews, comments, questions and suggestions. 

 

Unless I have missed something, no specific dates have been announced for that posting or for the public review and comment period that will follow it. We will inform you of them when we know. Please direct any comments, questions or suggestions you may have sbout the substance or process to Sharon as she appears to be the only PAR director to have attended both meetings.

 

Ray 

 

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Sent: 5/24/2011 1:42:26 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: A Message from Amy Meyer

If you would like to respond to this e-mail, please send a note to Amy at [email protected] or phone her at 221-8427. Please do not respond to this e-mail address. 

AGENDA, PEOPLE FOR THE PARKS/PRESIDIO. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2011   

8:30 - 10:00 AM

THE MARINA ROOM, THE CONFERENCE CENTER, BUILDING A, FORT MASON CENTER  

Before I get to the agenda, I want to share with you a reminder and invitation from Noreen Hughes, Project Manager for the Presidio Visitor Center. The last VC workshop, the summary workshop, will be on Tuesday evening May 31^st at the Log Cabin, from 6-8 pm. Several of our "People" have been attending regularly, and others have come to one or more meetings.

 

"We have been working with the exhibit design firm The GW Group for several weeks on the conceptual framework for the visitor experiences at the Presidio, with a particular focus on the content, programs and activities that will be offered at the Visitor Center and the Heritage Center.

 

We have shared with the GW Group the William Penn Mott, Jr. interpretive plan, the 2000 Presidio Stories Symposium materials, the PHA museum planning document, suggestions from previous workshops and much more. In addition they have met extensively with staff from all three agencies on an array of topics - including archaeology, history, NPS interpretative goals, historic preservation, volunteerism at the Stewardship Center, Crissy Field programs, communications, archival materials and artifacts, public programming. We recently held an all day workshop with 18-20 tri-agency staff and they will return on May 19^th to present ‘what they have seen and heard’ and their initial thoughts about how to create a dynamic and engaging collection of experiences for visitors to the Presidio.

 

We are inviting the public to hear the GW Group make a presentation at the May 31^st workshop . It is a ‘work in progress’ and the perfect time for review and comment. The format will be similar to the last three workshops – a presentation followed by breakout groups. Participants will be invited to share their thoughts and suggestions, answer questions posed by the exhibit design group and hear a summary of the discussion at each table at the end of the workshop.

  

I hope we will see a good turnout from the People for the Parks/Presidio."  

That evening's workshop will tie in directly with the first item at our meeting the next morning, but of necessity we will only get a summary of what happens the night before.

1) Michael Boland will lead the discussion with Noreen about the Heritage and Visitor Center projects. Michael says, "One of the core ideas we are interested in is creating a dispersed network of interpretive experiences in historic buildings around the Main Post and the broader park, so people can learn about the Post's history where it happened.  As you can imagine, this relates very directly to the scope and scale of the Visitor Center and Heritage Center, so I see these as all part of a continuum of interpretive experience."  (Because Steve Haller of GGNRA is away, the details of Building 640 and General de Witt's office, a major series of events relating to both the incarceration and the contributions of Japanese-Americans to the defense of the United States during WW II, as well as the Golden Gate Club as the site where the U.S. Japan Joint Security Pact was signed in 1951will be on the agenda next time–– that will continue from the site discussion here.) 

2) The Parks Conservancy showed us last time what they were planning on the bridge plaza to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the bridge. This time they will show us the major improvements that will be constructed and will lead up to the bridge along Lincoln Boulevard: the Golden Gate and Pacific Overlooks, as part of the Presidio Coastal Trail improvements project. 

3) Howard Levitt will present a number of smaller projects at Fort Mason, with the assistance of landscape architect Amy Hoke. They include the accessibility improvements/renewal of the paths in the great Meadow, the safety improvements at Bay/Franklin, and the upcoming hazard tree treatment and viewshed opening at the end of this coming summer. Howard will also give us a quick sketch of the "Healthy Parks, Healthy People" NPS initiation that was highlighted recently at a workshop at Cavallo Point, convened recently by NPS Director Jon Jarvis. 

4) Since our meeting is taking place two days after the comment deadline for the GGNRA Dog Management Plan, Howard Levitt will be able to give us some idea of what mail the park has received about the Plan. If you have not yet commented and wish to do so, you may send your letter in one of two ways by Monday, May 30. Yes, that is Memorial Day. It is the deadline! 

On-line: http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/dogplan

By mail: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason, Bldg 201, San Francisco, CA 94123

 

-- 
Karen J. Braseth
Managing People & Process to Drive Performance  

(415) 948-0010    
www.linkedin.com/in/karenbraseth

 

---

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: 6/14/2011 8:51:48 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: People for the Presidio

 

Hi Ray,

This is a detailed summary of the last People for the Presidio meeting.  Hoping you will circulate it to PAR members:

DRAFT                                      People for the Parks-Presidio

        June 1, 2011

Heritage and Visitor Center:  Noreen Hughes/Michael  Boland

We are at the midpoint of conceptual design for the VC, following 6 workshops.  A temporary exhibit will  be installed at the temporary VC, Building 105, so visitors can comment on concepts for the VC.  130 responses have been received from the web site.  A pamphlet has been put together on learnings from the History symposium (How to Make History Come Alive at the Presidio).

The design group, GW Group, has been employed to generate ideas for both Centers.  Their strength is in work  which establishes emotional connections to places.  Their services may be augmented with services of others. 

 

Comments from today’s attendees on GW work and the Centers:  

Most important asset for Centers are people

GW did not sufficiently get the connection between nature and history

Concerns about scale of some of the ideas presented in sheer physical  size and potential housing for same (need for new building to house?)

Put docents on buses with people traveling to the Presidio to orient visitors before arrival.

Referencing the bubble chart, Arthur Feinstein said there needs to be much more emphasis on nature and climate change; that what is missing is the nature/history connection and an overview of their relationship. Barbara Corff spoke of sustainability and stewardship.The Sustainability/Stewardship Center should be a very high priority but it is not getting attention; it should be included in a phased development plan and included in philanthropic fund raising.  

Gary Widman spoke of need for history overview, broad concepts. Lesley Walsh urged use of existing buildings for experience, not just electronic models. David Anderson asked for building tours and tours with some of us "People", Peter Brastow asked for a vision for continuing experiences.

Other comments: one good technique of story-telling could make an outstanding VC, "don't limit dreams," want proposals worthy of a national park, need to get oral histories now.

Noreen said that next steps will be determining what belongs in the VC, the HC or other places.  She wants to develop all ideas, vet them and prioritize what will come first.  The VC is seen as the highest priority Center.  As there are many techniques for story telling; there is no need to decide what stories are told where but decisions need to be made to decide how effective “stories” will be over time and to front load them. 

Charlene Harvey, Trust Board Member liaison for the HC:  we need to dream about the Centers for a while and that the bigger we dream, the more  funds can be raised.   (John Reynolds  is Trust Board Member liaison for the VC).

Michael Boland:  many technological developments  can be used to help the VC deliver comprehensive information unobtrusively  (as opposed to signs and installations on the ground), enabling the user to get a broader  understanding of the place  in the continuum of experience. 

75^th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge: Jennifer Greene/ Doug Overman

The Park Service is committed to revitalizing how people get around the Park and with the birthday of the bridge coming up an opportunity arose to enable visitors to experience the iconic bridge structure as part of the National Park.  Part of the Coastal  Trail  improvements projects will occur  from North to South of the bridge. They will begin in July and go through November.   Some road closures will be needed.  A new stop by the PresidiGo Shuttle will be located at Langdon Court, south of the Bridge off Lincoln Blvd., and will provide some mass transit oriented visitor access to the Coastal Bluffs where a new overlook will be built.  The Merchants Road parking lot will get more capacity; coastal trails will be improved; new overlooks will be created; roadside parking areas will be improved;  trails to Rob Hill will be improved; Lincoln Blvd. will be improved for bikes in both directions.  Trails will be multi-use in several locations along the Coastal Bluffs area but the stunning Battery to Bluffs trail will remain pedestrian only.   

National Park Service report:   Howard Levitt

Interim Visitor Center (up to 3 years):  The relocation to Bldg. 105 generated an immediate spike in visitors since its relocation from the Officer’s Club. 

Fort Mason is undergoing a number of improvements:  

  - Great Meadow’s slopes and trails are being improved

  -The area around Bay and Franklin is undergoing walkway improvement to pedestrian safety especially from turning automobiles

  - Historic homes near the Hostel will be improved and rented at market rates. 

  - The Chapel will be upgraded and be made available for conference space.  

-Dog Management DRAFT Plan:  The comment period closed on 5/30/11.  GGNRA received about 3300 comments.  A Proposed Rule will be developed at end of year 2012 at which time more public comment will be taken. 

Healthy Parks, Healthy People:  A conference was held at Cavallo  Pt. to make the connection between healthy parks and healthy people more explicit, to discuss how parks can be a part of making people healthier in a more intentional way.  A healthy foods strategy was developed to make the concept a reality.  One example of the tools discussed included learning how many calories can be burned on a given trail, for example.  

Upcoming People for the Parks/Presidio meetings will include a review of the Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) (there have been many changes owing to the Doyle Drive construction), an Open Spaces update, and a review of the Wapamaand other matters pertaining to the SF Maritime NHP.