INSIDE
Publisher’s View: Artificial Intelligence
SF Railyards: Next Big Development
2
page
page
Our Deadliest Streets
3
page
Green Benefit Crosswords District Elections: Low Voter Turnout
5
page
5
page
9
OTE JUNE 2
Peace and safe return for all who are missing
JUNE 2026
Serving the Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Mission Bay and SOMA Neighborhoods Since 1970
Annex Demolished BY MARK STEENSLAND
Potrero Annex’s demolition is finally underway, a major turning point in the site’s slow crawl toward the rebirth promised by HOPE SF when it was launched nearly 20 years ago. Ac cord i ng to A n ne St a n le y, Communications Manager for the Mayor’s Of f ice of Housi ng a nd Community Development (MOHCD), next phase work will involve 23 buildings on Turner Terrace, Watchman Way, and Missouri Street. Several steps were taken before demolition began, including relocating all Annex residents and clearing unhoused occupants by property manager Bell Properties, San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA), and MOHCD. Utilities were shut off and fences placed around vacant structures, with plywood in some areas to assist in mitigating noise.
FREE
Albion Partners, an environmental consulting project support firm established in 2010, tested the buildings to determine what and how hazardous materials will be removed, a process known as “abatement.” Albion is also responsible for air monitoring during demolition and construction, sharing weekly reports with the community online at rebuildpotrero.com. Following abatement, demolition will commence east of Missouri Street. The buildings will be taken down to their slabs, with foundations and streets left in place. Working hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with no major street closures planned or truck routes affecting the public transit availability. Stanley said demolition activities could extend to next February, after which a new, yet to be selected, master developer Potrero Annex continues on page 10
Vacant Pennsylvania Avenue Lot to Become Affordable Housing BY ALICE FINNO
A 249 Pennsylvania Avenue lot may soon be developed into affordable housing, accommodated within a structure rising nine stories that features 124 units, including 38 studios, 15 one-, 36 two-, and 35 three-bedrooms. The project was approved by the San Francisco Planning Department in April. The previous site owner, William Spencer Company, sold the property, dislocating the tenant at the time, Center Hardware. The building that’d housed the hardware store was demolished in 2019; the lot has been vacant ever since. In 2023, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) acquired the land, which the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) had designated for affordable housing, through the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. The nonprofit will develop the project in partnership with Young Community Developers. After construction is completed TNDC will transfer the land to OHCD. According to Anne Stanley, OHCD communications manager, 32 units will be reserved for families exiting homelessness, with five residences available to low-income HIV-positive households, along with associated supportive services. Those homes will be set aside for households earning 30 percentage of area median income (AMI). The remaining residences — excluding the manager’s unit — will be
available to households earning between 40 percent and 80 percent of AMI, $43,650 to $87,300 for a single person. Those qualified can submit an application through the City’s housing portal. “This development is critical to bringing new affordable units to ensure households of all incomes can call Potrero Hill home and benefit from the neighborhood’s incredible resources and location,” said Alberto Benejam, TNDC associate director of housing development. “We’ve received so much support from neighbors and community groups that are particularly excited to see the transformation of this vacant lot.” Daniel Sider, Planning Department chief of staff, said the project includes green spaces, air filtration, upgraded windows and soundproofing due to the proximity to Interstate 280. Other planned amenities are laundry and community rooms, courtyard, bike parking, family day care unit, and a roof with photovoltaic panels and vegetation to mitigate stormwater. The developers applied for a grant through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, a state-funded initiative that supports construction of affordable housing and associated transportation infrastructure, and plan to seek tax credits in 2027. According to TNDC, if those steps are successful building could begin at the end of next year, with residents moving in by 2029. Vacant Lot continues on page 9
An excavator demolishes the first of 23 Potrero Annex buildings. PHOTO: Thomas Hunter II
Tired of ‘Entitled’ Dog Owners, Neighbor Launches DogTracking Website maintenance costs. Off-leash canines frighten some people, who may be allergic Dogs are beloved companions for to dog skin or saliva, or worry that their many people. But there are places where children might get injured by a misbehavthey aren’t allowed under San Francisco ing animal. Exposure to dog allergens can Park Code and Health Code, such as make it difficult to breathe in up to oneJackson Playground’s athletic fields. third of asthma sufferers. Despite the canine prohibition, non-ser“I saw on Reddit that other people are vice animals often run amok in the park, sick of it, too,” Sean said. “There’s a need as well as in other open spaces throughout to reinforce the rules, but I can’t do that, so San Francisco. I decided to show the City how large this One Potrero Hill resident, who wishes problem is.” to be known as “Sean,” had enough. Earlier Sean invested more than $200 to this year he launched a website, https:// create SF Dog Tracker, including a website sfdogtracker.com/, to enable people to and posters with QR codes to let people report errant canines. know about it. “Dogs being in places they shouldn’t “I got some of my frustration out be has been bothering me for a long time,” because I wanted to do something about he said. “I’m a dog owner myself, I love the problem of dog owners not following dogs, but there’s a lot of dog entitlement the rules,” he said. and people thinking they don’t have to SF Dog Tracker lists eight parks where follow the rules.” Dog Tracker continues on page 9 Dogs can damage turf, increasing B Y R E B E KA H M O A N