Category: Neighborhoods
Posted inCommunity, Land use, Neighborhoods

Cannabis Dispensary and Lounge to Open in SF Bayview, Despite Residents’ Objections

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

The dispensary will be on one of the Bayview’s less developed streets, near low-income and senior housing. Over a dozen cannabis facilities already operate in the neighborhood, nearly all of which are used only to grow the plant.

Many residents, especially Chinese Americans, have opposed the new facility, which will sell cannabis products, out of fear that it will encourage drug use and make the area less safe. Despite their objections, the city’s Planning Commission approved the project Thursday because it did not violate city laws.

Posted inCommunity, Land use, Neighborhoods

In SF’s Chinatown, Conflict Over Outdoor Events Resolved — for Now 

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

A dispute among Chinatown businesses appears to be temporarily quelled, following a decision by San Francisco’s Board of Appeals to limit amplified sound at outdoor events along a major tourist artery for the next two months. 

Merchants had objected after a local dance company obtained the amplified-sound permit. It was the latest point of friction resulting from a gradual uptick in events, which have disrupted some businesses in the neighborhood.

Posted inArts & Culture, Community, History, Neighborhoods

New Parade Dragon Carries on Local Legacy Dating Back Nearly 175 Years

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

There will be a brand new dragon in this year’s Chinese New Year Parade finale, celebrating the Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese New Year Parade, the festival’s pinnacle event, is scheduled this Saturday. Until then, the new dragon is on display at Three Embarcadero Center.

The parade’s organizer, the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce, has announced the roster of floats and entertainers who will participate, including a 289-feet golden dragon that debuted in public on Lunar New Year’s Day, Feb. 10, for a Taoist “awakening” ceremony.

Posted inCommunity, History, Immigration, Neighborhoods

Volunteers Race to Preserve Culturally Significant Records in Chinatown

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

A volunteer group led by community historian David Lei and University of California, Berkeley lecturer Anna Eng is working on a week-long project to scan boxes of documents — memos, letters, photos and other archived items.

The scanning project is a collaborative effort between historians striving to increase access to alternative historical sources and community organizations wanting the history to be restored and told.

Posted inBay Area, Homelessness, Housing, Neighborhoods, Public Safety, Social Services

Berkeley Says It Was Aggressive in Homeless Encampment Sweeps, Promises Reforms

by Yesica Prado

Berkeley is accelerating plans to more humanely deal with homelessness in the wake of a San Francisco Public Press report on a chaotic encampment raid in October, and city staffers say they will start collaborating with unhoused people and homeless advocates when planning to clean or clear large encampments.

Several city departments are changing procedures in response to complaints from those living in encampments and their advocates, and from residential and commercial neighbors.

Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Community, History, Land use, Neighborhoods, Reparations, Social Justice

SF Reparations Plan Nears Submission, but Funding Not Yet Secure

Avatar photo by Madison Alvarado

After 2½ years of meetings, community discussions, historical deep dives and policy generation, a panel tasked with proposing how San Francisco might atone for decades of discrimination against Black residents is ready to ask the city to step up and support equity rhetoric with action.

San Francisco’s African American Reparations Advisory Committee is aiming to submit its final recommendations to the city by June 30, according to Brittni Chicuata, director of economic rights at the city’s Human Rights Commission. In the meantime, the city’s annual budget process is in full swing, which may affect funding and the timeline for whatever reparations policies the board decides to pursue.

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