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.
According to Anne Stanley, Communications Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Housing and 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.
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.
Tired of ‘Entitled’ Dog Owners, Neighbor Launches DogTracking Website
BY REBEKAH MOAN
Dogs are beloved companions for many people. But there are places where they aren’t allowed under San Francisco Park Code and Health Code, such as Jackson Playground’s athletic fields. Despite the canine prohibition, non-service animals often run amok in the park, as well as in other open spaces throughout San Francisco.
One Potrero Hill resident, who wishes to be known as “Sean,” had enough. Earlier this year he launched a website, https:// sfdogtracker.com/, to enable people to report errant canines.
“Dogs being in places they shouldn’t be has been bothering me for a long time,” he said. “I’m a dog owner myself, I love dogs, but there’s a lot of dog entitlement and people thinking they don’t have to follow the rules.”
Dogs can damage turf, increasing
maintenance costs. Off-leash canines frighten some people, who may be allergic to dog skin or saliva, or worry that their children might get injured by a misbehaving animal. Exposure to dog allergens can make it difficult to breathe in up to onethird of asthma sufferers.
“I saw on Reddit that other people are sick of it, too,” Sean said. “There’s a need to reinforce the rules, but I can’t do that, so I decided to show the City how large this problem is.”
Sean invested more than $200 to create SF Dog Tracker, including a website and posters with QR codes to let people know about it.
“I got some of my frustration out because I wanted to do something about the problem of dog owners not following the rules,” he said.
SF Dog Tracker lists eight parks where
Dog Tracker
An excavator demolishes the first of 23 Potrero Annex buildings. PHOTO: Thomas Hunter II
Serving the Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Mission Bay and SOMA Neighborhoods Since 1970
JUNE 2026
PUBLISHER’S VIEW
BY STEVEN J. MOSS
Artificial Intelligence
This column wasn’t written by artificial intelligence (AI). But it could’ve been. And it’s not clear whether readers would notice the difference.
Technology has brought us, yet again, to one of those entirely disruptive, mind-bending, labor market mixing, inflection points. It happened more modestly with maps, roughly two decades ago. In just a few years, people shifted their dependence from paper charts, awkwardly unfolding two by three feet sheets of paper in the tightness of an automobile’s front seat, to digital MapQuest and Google Maps. That technology gave rise to ride sharing apps and led to the near collapse of the licensed taxi business. Today pretty much nobody keeps a paper map in their car. If they do, they’ve forgotten how to read it.
Yet while our dependence on GIS is almost complete, arguing over directions is the same as it ever was, one of the most frequent causes of couple conflict inside
a car. This then is the coming challenge, at a much grander scale. If AI is destined to make us smarter, how will we use our humanness to effectively manage the change?
Close to half of those with postgraduate college degrees already engage with AI “almost constantly.” Although the same isn’t true for people with a high school education or less – fewer than one-fifth are continual users – we’re in it. We’re in the fast-moving current of AI-created change, the next big wave at least as large as the introduction of the iPhone; rise of drones as a tool of warfare; and emergence of antibiotics. AI is maybe, probably, bigger. Not a wave, a tsunami.
Where we go nobody knows. There already are bursts of productivity and problem solving. It took my astrophysicist nephew the period of securing a doctorate
Short Cuts
And They’re Off
Last month District 10 Board of Supervisors candidate Mike Lin filed Form 470 with the San Francisco Ethics Commission pledging not to raise or spend $2,000 on his campaign. Lin has secured the 20 nominating signatures from registered voters in District 10 necessary to be placed on the November ballot. June 9 is the last date for candidates to submit required paperwork to be election eligible… The price of rental housing rapidly increased this year, according to the Office of the Controller, with AI-jobs drawing highly paid workers into the City. The 94107 ZIP code, which encompasses parts of South-of-Market as well as Dogpatch and Potrero Hill, had the largest year-over-year rise, with estimated median rents jumping 26 percent to $5,556 in April this year.
Staircase Construction
Construction of the 22nd Street Staircase – a hillside route to access the Potrero Hill Recreation Center – will begin this month, with completion expected by the end of the year “Weather is always a question mark,” said Julie Christensen, consultant to Friends of the Potrero Hill Recreation Center. We should be OK for the next four months at least…not 100 percent sure how difficult it will be to deal with the rocky hillside until we start digging. We know it will be tough.” The staircase will traverse an almost 30 percent rocky grade. During erection the hillside will be blocked off. “We are
asking people to please refrain from cutting through the site during construction to avoid damage or injury and added cost and delays. It will be so wonderful when completed!” said Christensen. “Residents remain excited and supportive. We had…a 300-foot radius notification. Not a single objection was raised, just one neighbor’s wish for expansion of the project.”
Hill Bottom
As it enters its final act, Bottom of the Hill’s 35-year history as a music venue is being turned into a feature-length documentary film by San Franciscan Kevin Smokler and Albuquerque filmmaker Christopher Boone. The project partners first worked together co-directing Vinyl Nation, a 2020 movie about the resurgence of vinyl records. “The heart of this documentary is the story of Ramona Downey, Kathleen Owen, and Lynn Schwarz, the co-owners of Bottom of the Hill, their staff, and how they welcome both artists and audiences to a space that’s known as one of the world’s best places to see live music,” said Boone. According to Smokler, a conversation about that topic gave him the idea for the movie; the club’s announcement that 2026 would be their final year wasn’t the impetus to begin recording. “Still, it speeds up our production schedule. We plan to film four times this year, by season. Of course we’ll film on New Year’s Eve, for Bottom of the Hill’s last show,” said Smokler. “Bottom of the Hill is a huge part of Potrero Hill’s history.
Short Cuts continues on page 4
SF Railyards Poised to Become the City’s Next Big Development
BY JESSICA ZIMMER
This month the San Francisco Planning Department is poised to approve plans submitted by developer Prologis to remake Caltrain’s Fourth and King Street Station into a 20-acre community, with close to 2,500 residences and roughly four million square feet of commercial space, including an 850-foot mixed-use tower. Caltrain has a permanent easement at the spot for a station and railyard.
“The project is not proposing any changes to Caltrain service, although temporary schedule changes could be necessary to accommodate construction,” said
HANDY NUMBERS
District 10 Supervisor
Dan Lieberman, public information officer for Caltrain.
SF Railyards’ success is partially predicated on Caltrain continuing to offer at least the same amount of service it presently provides. Without a significant transportation component, the project wouldn’t be as attractive to prospective residential and commercial buyers and tenants.
The commuter rail line is considering service cuts due to fiscal challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ridership dipped sharply.
In March, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers – Caltrain’s – Board of Directors discussed possible actions to lower costs,
415.554.7670
Shamann Walton waltonstaff@sfgov.org
Recology 415.330.1300
San Francisco Animal Care and Control
415.554.6364
San Francisco Fire Department (non-emergency) 415.558.3200
San Francisco Police Department 671-2300; tip line, 415.822.8147 SFPDBayviewStation@sfgov.org
SFHOT/Homeless Outreach Team 311 or 415.734.4233
State Senator Scott Wiener 415.557.1300
Dogpatch Art & Business Association (DABA) dabasf.org
Connecting Dogpatch businesses, arts organizations, and community through events, resources, and local collaboration. Follow @destinationdogpatch
Get involved:
• Help develop/maintain our wayfinding map (linktr.ee/exploredogpatch)
• Help build our online business community platform
• Join as a supporting member
Potrero Hill Democratic Club phdemclub.org
Your neighborhood Democratic club encourages active participation in the electoral process by organizing and engaging residents of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch around issues affecting the neighborhood, the City and the world beyond.
Join us for:
• candidate forums and debates
• extremely informative pro and con speakers for every proposition on the ballot
• members’ voted endorsements of candidates & ballot measures
• speakers and panels on vital concerns of the day
• updates from elected officials
• our annual party & “Shop Local” silent auction
• a nd more!
Monthly meetings are usually — but not always
— the first Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. at the Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St. Check the website to make sure. Meetings are open to all, but only Potrero Hill or Dogpatch residents may join as voting members. For more information: contact_us@phdemclub.org or PHDemClub.org
including closing more than one-third of 31 stations, eliminating weekend service, reducing train frequency to once an hour, ending service by 9 p.m., and reducing the number of stops.
If approved by a majority of voters in November, California Senate Bill 63, the Connect Bay Area Act, would generate close to $980 million from a 14-year regional transportation sales tax of one percent in San Francisco County and 0.5 percent in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. If successful, almost two-thirds of sales tax revenues would be distributed to Bay Area Rapid Transit, San Francisco Municipal Railway, Caltrain, AC Transit, San Francisco Bay Ferry, East Bay bus agencies and Golden Gate Transit. About onethird would be sent to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Mateo County Transit District, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and Alameda County Transportation Commission.
A small percentage would be used to improve the rider experience – making trains faster or improving signage – or for administration costs incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the new Public Transit
Dogpatch Neighborhood Association (DNA) dogpatchna.org
We nurture civic participation and community building while fostering the unique character of Dogpatch. Our meetings are open to all, but membership is the lifeblood of the organization. You do not have to live within the Dogpatch boundaries to be a member or attend meetings, you just need to care about what happens in Dogpatch. Monthly Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month - 7 p.m. at The Dogpatch Hub.
At our next Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, June 9th, we’ll hear updates on developments at the Power Station from Enrique Lanza and Tina Chan of Fifth Space. Then, join us for our Community Meet ‘n Clean on Sunday, June 14th (12 to 1:30 p.m. at Esprit Park) to help keep the neighborhood beautiful. JOIN DNA TODAY!
Friends of Jackson Park (FoJP) friendsofjacksonpark.org
Happy Summer!
Join us for Coffee & Kids in Jackson Park Sunday, June 7th, 9 to 11 a.m.
Brings your friends, family and neighbors to jumpstart your morning with coffee & donuts and to learn more about FoJP and the upcoming park renovation. Hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars: Roller Disco is back! This time for all ages. Saturday, July 11th 10 to noon followed by a park clean up as part of One City Day activities.
We’re looking for community support so please use our QR code and donate today. Every dollar helps!
More info at: friendsofjacksonpark.org
Revenue Measure District, as well as onetime expenses associated with the election.
According to Lieberman, Caltrain was the fastest growing transit agency in terms of ridership in the U.S. in 2025.
“(This was due) in no small part to half-hourly electrified service providing a new standard of comfort and convenience that riders appreciate. Having a major transit-oriented development like the SF Railyards offers gives riders one more reason to take advantage of our service,” said Lieberman.
“Yet we need about 10 of these projects. We want every project that creates more housing to move forward,” said Prodan Statev, a Dogpatch resident and San Francisco Yes In My Backyard member. “I want to stay in this neighborhood and raise kids here. But the Board of Supervisors doesn’t allow enough housing to be built, so I can’t afford to. They’ve effectively decided people like me don’t belong here.”
Sarah Davis, Mission Bay Citizen Advisory Committee chairperson and a Mission Creek Harbor resident, said the rail project “feels very ambitious,” like Mission Bay as a whole.
SF Railyards continues on page 4
Green Benefit District
GreenBenefit.org
Get involved with the Dogpatch and NW Potrero Hill Green Benefit District!
Join us for our Monthly Board Meeting on Wednesday, June 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dogpatch Hub (1278 Minnesota St.), where we will discuss all the great things we’re doing in the neighborhood. Questions? Contact us at info@greenbenefit.org
Help make the Green Benefit District greener! Our next GBD volunteer event is at the Vermont Greenway & Eco-Patch on Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. Sign up for a GBD volunteer event at greenbenefit.org/volunteer or report an issue at greenbenefit.org/report-a-problem
The Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association
potreroboosters.org
Join our Potrero Meet Yourself events: Dogpatch West Historical Tour at the SE corner 19th & Tennessee streets. June 13 at 11 a.m. Tree Tour with author Mike Sullivan of The Trees of San Francisco at Woods Yard Park June 21 at 10 a.m.
Starr King Open Space
StarrKingOpenSpace.org
Join our monthly volunteer days on the second Saturday of the month. This month it is Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donate to help keep Starr King Open Space open, accessible, and well-maintained for our neighborhood.
For a $225 annual fee (up to 150 words) or $300 (151 to 200 words), your organization can be listed in Getting Involved. Contact production@potreroview.net
It’s made the Hill a part of the City that the whole country knows about. We want to give everyone involved credit for that.”
What’d You Say?
A new University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) hearing institute will be built in Mission Bay that, upon 2029 completion, will consolidate hearing loss-related medical care and research under one roof. The UCSF Bakar Ear and Hearing Institute will be housed in a five-story, 150,000-square foot building at Nelson Rising Lane and Fifth Street. Construction is slated to begin later this year. The facility will expand UCSF’s ability to treat hearing loss - a common and often under-recognized condition among older adults - as that population grows, and its potential link to dementia. No word as to whether the edifice will be ear shaped.
Beyond Boxes
Bed Bath & Beyond will move back to its previous Ninth Street location following its April acquisition of The Container Store . The repositioning is part of a chainwide “store changing,” with 98 of the Store’s outposts across the U.S. overhauling their offerings to incorporate Bed Bath & Beyond products. The move marks a rejuvenation of the 555 Ninth Street shopping center – despite it’s generally unpleasant parking situation – with Sprouts Farmers Market expected to shoot up in the old Nordstrom Rack space next year.
Biological Truth
The following is a verbatim reprint of an actual U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) press release: Secretary Scott Turner Moves to Restore Biological Truth and Sanity to HUD’s Policies, Washington, DC: Secretary Scott Turner today announced a new proposed rule to restore biological reality and protect women across all HUD programs. “God created two sexes: male and female. The Left’s war on biological reality through radical gender ideology will no longer take precedence over the safety and security of America’s most vulnerable women,” said
Secretary Scott Turner. “This proposed rule will bring biological truth and sanity back to HUD’s policies.” Under the proposed guidance, HUD would remove radical definitions of gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender, replacing them with sex across nearly 50 regulations. HUD’s Equal Access Rule would be adjusted to protect women’s shelters and replace the prohibition on discrimination against “gender identity” in all Community Planning and Development programs. Common terms such as father, mother, man, woman, boy, and girl would be defined consistent with biological reality across HUD’s regulations.
to program sufficient observations to develop a new way to detect exoplanets. The same work, completed less than five years ago, might take no more than five weeks today. In three months, a friend used AI to develop a program to predict “alpha” stocks worthy of investment. I haven’t used it but have no doubt that it or something like it will make some people wealthy.
Then there’s the unescapable downsides. AI is already starting to mow down millions of jobs. Hundreds of thousands of journalists previously experienced such forced dislocation due to the rise of digital and social media. A goodly number are likely now rideshare drivers, soon to be crushed by autonomous vehicles. AI may have prompted more than a quarter of a million layoffs in the technology sector in the last two years alone. Freshly graduated software engineers who in 2023 would have been hired into six figure entry level jobs are now paying back their college loans by working at Petco.
Science fiction movies visualize an even more sinister future, particularly related to the inevitable marriage between AI and robots. One doesn’t have to take the Turing test, Ex Machina style, though, to get your AI guard up. Another friend, actively using AI to program, perhaps ironically, a tool to deepen democratic discussions, said he refuses to install the powerful OpenClaw app on his computer, lest it be hacked by outside sources to steal everything in his life. AI is actively being used as a scamming device – “dad, I need money” – and to manipulate images. Google’s and
OpenAI’s revenue is steeply up, due to AI’s ability to effectively target advertising. It’s almost as if we’ve scripted our own Orwellian future. First, get rid of journalists capable of seeing and conveying reality. Then, replace them with the chatter box of social media, full of fantasies, half-lies, lies, and scheming. Replace that with an automatic agent capable of generating truth or dare content so compelling you can’t look away. Voilà, you’ve recreated the deep ignorance, stagnation, and structural poverty of the European Medieval period, complete with threats of uncontrollable plague because of those unmitigated deceits.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Ever since a monkey picked up a stick to fish for a termite lunch, we primates have been quick to adopt whatever seems to make life easier. Exceptions are rare, often limited to potentially scary non-household items, like unfettered biological warfare, though ozone-damaging refrigerants were dealt with as part of the Montreal Protocol. AI is already raising sticky issues that need to be resolved, with more on their way. Can students – or journalists – submit essays or exams that’re fully AI written? Is it okay to leave one’s baby, or an elder in assisted living, in the complete care of an AI robot, or is that criminal neglect? To what extent and for what purpose is it allowable to distort reality without a warning label?
“Artificial intelligence” isn’t really the best way to describe the technology and
what it might do to and for us. Like the iPhone, which doesn’t function anything like the cordless models it replaced, AI might be more aptly termed “extended intelligence” or “autonomous intelligence.” The former captures the benefits it conveys in human hands. The latter is something different. Either way, we need to start discussing, perhaps by using an AI-enabled democracy dialogue tool, how to manage this new fantastical tool. Whether or not we’re in the driver’s seat, or taking directions, is up to us. At least for now.
SF Railyards from page 3
“Mission Bay has been an island for so long. Caltrans has been one of our borders. I would like to see this project bring residents from different neighborhoods together,” said Davis, who noted that the Prologis team has held two meetings with Mission Bay residents about the project.
Davis and other Mission Bay residents are concerned about maintaining street safety with the rise in vehicle and pedestrian traffic that SF Railyards will bring.
“For years, that area has been home to empty storefronts, paper over glass. There’s never been enough critical mass in this area for it to take off economically. SF Railyards could bring a transformation,” said Davis.
“We’re looking to knit communities together with community open space like parks and neighborhood serving retail,” said Mission Bay resident Bruce Agid, who believes it’s important to include a significant percentage of residences that are affordable to lower- and middle-income families. “These will close the gaps of what the community needs today. We want to build a community that’s child friendly. That’s part of Mission Bay’s character. People here tend to say “Yes” to development. But we want a developer to do it right. As to SF Railyards, we want Prologis to make the tower and the housing look amazing.”
According to Agid, the Downtown Rail Extension, also known as the Portal, also needs to be completed, extending Caltrain service from Fourth and King streets to Salesforce Transit Center at Beale and Howard streets.
“They may not have all of the funding to accomplish this right now. But encouraging that, showing City and Bay Area residents what’s possible, could motivate a lot of action,” said Agid.
Dear Readers
Tell our local merchants you saw their ad in The Potrero View!
Echoes of Parcel G, an exploration of light and decay by artists with studios at Hunters Point captures the quiet, final moments of Hunters Point Shipyard’s Parcel G’s historical buildings before they’re torn down to make way for redevelopment. The project was sponsored by the Hunters Point Shipyard Artists and the Shipyard Trust for the Arts. PHOTO:
Courtesy of Sean Karlin
The 55 Dogpatch Muni bus route came to a stop on May 21 after two SUVs collided near the intersection of 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. According to the San Francisco Police Department, at least one occupant sustained non-critical injuries. PHOTO: Thomas Hunter II
Publisher’s View from page 2
Short Cuts from page 2
Our Deadliest Streets
BY MARK STEENSLAND
The Department of Public Health (DPH) has released the latest High Injury Network (HIN) map, using 2024 data to identify San Francisco’s deadliest streets.
The good news is that Potrero Hill residents have less to worry about than inhabitants of other neighborhoods. The bad news is that some streets still warrant concern.
The new HIN map is the fourth produced since 2015, the year after the unveiling of Vision Zero, a data-driven approach to safety that had a perhaps unrealistic goal to completely eliminate traffic-related deaths. Based on the HIN map San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) identified where safety improvements were most needed, evaluating 28 projects to install road diets, high-visibility crosswalks, traffic-calming speed humps, and protected bike lanes.
According to the Mayor’s Office, these targeted physical modifications lowered total collisions by 16 percent, cut bicycle crashes by 25 percent, reduced pedestrian smashes by 35 percent, and decreased dangerous vehicle-to-pedestrian near-misses by 32 percent.
To build the HIN, DPH first identifies crashes in which someone was killed or severely injured, termed a “KSI,” based on data collected from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), Trauma Registry at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG), California State Vital Records, and San Francisco Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance records. To be HIN mapped,
a street must have more than 10 KSIs per mile during the roughly two-year period in which information is collected.
A comparison between the 2022 Potrero Hill map (above, left) and the newest version (above, right) shows few changes, with Potrero Avenue and Cesar Chavez the area’s most dangerous streets.
Since 2014, 364 crashes involving fatalities have happened City-wide. Only eight occurred in Potrero Hill, seven of which were on HIN streets. San Francisco recorded 25 traffic fatalities in 2025; seven traffic deaths have been logged so far in 2026. The last deadly crash in Potrero Hill occurred on November 23, 2024.
Last December, Mayor Daniel Lurie signed the Street Safety Initiative, an executive directive he called “the next phase of San Francisco’s roadway safety strategy.”
“We have learned a lot over the past ten years of Vision Zero,” Lurie said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Now is the time to update our approach to this work.”
The effort is divided into three “actions:” 100 Day, Six Month, and One Year and Beyond. The HIN is part of the first phase and will be used, as it was with Vision Zero, to identify locations for “Quick Build Projects;” adjustable and reversible traffic safety improvements that SFMTA crews can install within months. They often incorporate proven safety tools, such as physical barriers and clearing sightlines at intersections, a technique known as daylighting. They’re supposed to be evaluated after being implemented to inform future projects.
When daylighting was implemented at
80 intersections in the Tenderloin during Vision Zero’s first year, collisions dropped by 14 percent the following year.
HIN is also used to determine where to deploy monthly High Visibility Enforcement (HVE), a strategy that uses noticeable, coordinated enforcement to deter dangerous behaviors, and in what locations to install electronic enforcement tools, including speed and red-light cameras.
According to SFMTA, the City’s 33 speed cameras have resulted in a nearly 80 percent drop in drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more above the posted limit at camera locations. The only speed camera in Potrero Hill is on Cesar Chavez Street from Indiana Street to Tennessee Street, where the maximum is 25 mph.
The 13 red light cameras that issue citations have resulted in a 66 percent decline in injury collisions due to red-light running between 1997 and 2022. The City plans to install six more later this summer, none in Potrero Hill.
HIN was originally created in 2010, with a California Office of Traffic Safety grant to pay for the first phase of WalkFirst, a program to improve pedestrian circulation. The effort included maps of Key Walking Streets and Pedestrian High Injury Corridors. WalkFirst’s second phase started in 2013 and relied on the Pedestrian HIN to identify where capital improvements were most needed. The work continued under the Vision Zero banner, which expanded HIN data beyond walking to address all traffic-related fatalities.
The next HIN map will likely be issued in 2027, based on 2026 data.
CREATIVE YOUTHS!
The View invites those under 18 to submit any creative work suitable for publication, including drawings, short stories (fewer than 150 words), photographs, comic strips, jokes, before the 20th of each month. Winning entries will receive a $20 prize. Please send submissions to editor@potreroview.net
Low Voter Turnout for 2026 Green Benefit District Elections
BY JESSICA ZIMMER
In March the Dogpatch & Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District (GBD) issued 1,400 ballots to property owners who contributed taxes to the district. Just one hundred were returned, less than 10 percent.
GBD announces its elections on social media, posts letters to residents within its borders, and sends a mailer that offers background on the candidates.
Those who participated endorsed an uncontested board of directors’ slate, consisting of Patrice Martin, Dogpatch property owner, Seat 5; Sean Harris, Dogpatch property owner, Seat 6; Richard Romero, Dogpatch tenant, Seat 9; Andie Zhao, greenspace advocate, Seat 13, and Shawn Troedson, Dogpatch property owner, Seat 14. Board members are uncompensated for their service.
Harris, elected to the seat vacated by Donovan Lacy, who now serves as GBD’s executive director, is also on Dogpatch Hub’s board.
“Serving on that board prepared me a bit to serve on the GBD board. As the board’s newest member, I look forward to listening to residents more than pushing and helping to create parks that feel welcome year-round,” said Harris.
“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback on renewal and the expansion of the GBD’s territory,” said Lacy, who characterized the new board as “Dogpatch-heavy. Our board has a lot of parents with young children. In November 2025, we became the fiscal sponsor for Tunnel Top Park, which is stewarded by Bonnie Bergeron and her husband Dennis Montalto. By taking on this role, we were able to help the Tunnel Top volunteers recoup a significant amount of the funds lost when the San Francisco Park Alliance shut down. We’ve already started working directly with residents there. One change we’ve made is to install a bench at that corner, near the bus stop,” adding that janitorial services have been deployed to ensurethe area remains clean.
The GBD is presently examining what projects to engage in next year, the outcome of which will be influenced by any changes to municipal budget expenditures related to parks and open spaces.
“If there are projects people are interested in, this is the time to reach out to your representatives and let them know what you want to accomplish,” said Lacy.
The GBD plans to cultivate additional plantings on 22nd and 25th streets and create a native learning garden on Minnesota Street where that road dead-ends at 22nd Street. It also hopes to add public art projects, like those at Potrero Gateway Park, in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Works Department and California Department of Transportation.
“We’ve gotten really positive feedback about the art there. Keeping it requires maintenance, namely removing tags by
GBD Elections continues on page 10
A comparison between the 2022 Potrero Hill map (left) and the newest version (right) shows few changes, with Potrero Avenue and Ceasar Chavez the area’s most dangerous streets. IMAGES: Courtesy of SFMTA
Community Calendar
Now through 6/27 Saturday
Art: Ward Schumaker
This survey brings together Schumaker’s paintings from the past twenty years, as well as a selection of original books hand-painted by the artist. Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Modernism, 724 Ellis Street. For more information: bit.ly/42xjotY
6/2 Tuesday
OTE
6/4 Thursday
Art: Museum of Craft and Design Free Admission
Committed to making art, craft, and design accessible to everyone, the Museum of Craft and Design is free on the first Thursday of every month. 12 to 5 p.m. Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street. For more information: bit.ly/4eB9UFp
6/6 Saturday
Photography:
San Francisco Photo Walk Pier 70 and Mission Bay were once central to San Francisco’s World War II shipbuilding efforts. Today, the area is being reimagined. On this walk, use cameras, or camera phones, to slow down and look closely at how the industrial past is being put to use alongside new development. Participants will get guidance as needed; what to notice, how to compose, and how to translate what’s seen into a photograph. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $29. 580 20th Street. For more information: tinyurl. com/2zfrjx58
6/7 Sunday
Nature: InsectPalooza
A family-friendly event to get up close and hands-on with live animals from SaveNature.Org’s Insect Discovery
Lab. This immersive event blends art, nature, and science for insect enthusiasts of all ages. Meet creatures like the Australian Walking Stick, Hissing Cockroach, and Giant African Millipede. Create insect-inspired art and taste mealworm chocolate chip cookies. This is an open-house style event. Drop in, explore, and stay as long as you like. 12 to 3 p.m. Free. Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota Street. For more information: bit.ly/432L8Xr
6/10 Wednesday through 11/21 Saturday
Art: The Tramp
An exhibition by Bay Area-based Justin Caguiat and Rafael Delacruz, The Tramp brings together film, installation, painting, and prints, marking the artists’ first institutional exhibition on the West Coast. At the exhibit’s heart is a new film by Caguiat and Delacruz that follows Wesley – dressed in baggy pants, snug jacket, and bowler hat – his dog Chips, and Hiroko as they wander the streets of Oakland and Half Moon Bay’s fields. The film draws upon Charlie Chaplin’s iconic character, The Tramp, first introduced in a 1915 eponymous silent film. Chaplin’s Tramp was a mischievous character navigating the margins of a rapidly modernizing society, using wit and humor to evade authority. Caguiat and Delacruz transform the gallery into an immersive environment. Opening reception on June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Free, RSVP requested but not required. California College of the Arts Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, 145 Hooper Street. For more information: bit.ly/4tqQlmT
6/11 Thursday
Art: “Everywhere I Go”
Drawing in a sketchbook everyday can have a profound impact on a creative practice. For the last 30 years, Cyrus Highsmith, a letter drawer, teacher, author, and graphic artist, has carried a sketchbook with him almost everywhere. In 2025, his collection of
approximately 300 books was acquired by Special Collections at the Providence Public Library. In this talk, Highsmith reflects on his sketchbook practice; how it evolved, its impact on his career, and where it’s going. 6 to 7:30 p.m. $9.85 to $28.52. Letterform Archive, 2325 Third Street. For more information: bit.ly/42tVYpi
6/12 Friday
Film: The Princess Bride at Dolores Park
Sundown Cinema — San Francisco’s free outdoor movie series — kicks off its 2026 season with The Princess Bride, a fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. Movie begins around sunset. Arrive early to secure a spot. Blankets, lowback chairs, and outside food and drinks are generally permitted, subject to park rules. Around 6 p.m. Free. Mission Dolores Park, Dolores and 19th streets. Park closes at 10 p.m., with Rangers now enforcing municipal laws. For more information: bit. ly/42o9fQg
6/13 Saturday
Juneteenth: Freedom Celebration
Eight blocks of celebration featuring dozens of retail and food vendors, carnival rides, kids’ zone, fashion show, special live performances, and more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Fillmore Street between Sutter and Jackson streets. For more information: bit.ly/4d5ex9A
6/19 Friday
Music: Chelle! & Friends at Yerba Buena Gardens
Led by New Orleans-native Michelle Jacques, a soul-steeped vocalist, Chelle! & Friends bring a family-friendly taste of the Crescent City, the cradle of
so much essential American music. Chelle! & Friends is composed of Bay Area musicians Rhonda Crane and Bryan Dyer on vocals and percussion, Donna Viscuso on saxophone, Eric Swinderman on guitar, Kevin Scott on bass and Michaelle Goerlitz on drums. Enjoy music that’s steeped in the cadences of gospel, animated by the earthy grooves of rhythm and blues and the Caribbean. Two shows: 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 12 to 12:30 p.m. Free. Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens, 799 Howard Street. For more information: bit.ly/49ptO2y
6/27 Saturday
Food: Plant-Based Baking Class
This class will demystify vegan baking. Learn the pros and cons of various egg replacements, non-dairy milks, and butters, and how to use them. Students will make pie crust, meringue, cupcakes, buttercream, and cookies. Leave with skills to recreate the concoctions, as well as a selection of treats to take home. 4 to 7 p.m. $140.56. Hands On Gourmet, 2325 Third Street. For more information: tinyurl.com/3ur7t557
6/27 Saturday and 6/28 Sunday Community: SF Pride
The nation’s largest gathering of LGBTQ+ and allies returns. Dedicated to creating a welcoming space for everyone to celebrate the best of the LGBTQ+ community, this year’s theme highlights the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights, its resilience and determination. The parade features hundreds of contingents including nonprofits, businesses, and performance groups. Parade takes place on Sunday 6/28, starting at 10:30 a.m. from Beale and Market streets, and ends at Civic Center Plaza. For more information: sfpride.org/
Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Potrero Hill: A Neighborhood of Micro-Climates
Hi Neighbor,
In San Francisco, we know the weather can change from one block to the next. Potrero Hill real estate is no different—it is a hyperintense micro-market where 94107 acts as its own unique ecosystem.
With only a 0.7-month supply of homes, demand is currently pushing sales frequently past $1,600 per square foot. However, the strategy required for a North Slope Victorian is worlds away from the approach for a Dogpatch loft. Hitting a peak price isn’t standard; it is about knowing the specific “buyer tribe” for your specific street.
My proven marketing plan is designed to curate a high-intensity launch that speaks the language of the Hill. Whether we are highlighting a historic view or modernizing for the next generation, my goal is to ensure your home isn’t just listed, but celebrated
MAXIMIZE YOUR EQUITY
Many of us have called the Hill home for decades. Through my partnership with Revive, we can refresh your home—from new floors to designer kitchens—with no upfront costs, no interest, and no outof-pocket expenses. We do the work; you keep the increased equity.
Let’s Grab Coffee at Farley’s—My Treat.
Let’s talk about the current “climate” on your specific block. Potrero Resident & Real Estate Advisor
J.R. Eppler, who is running for District 10 Supervisor, said that while a significant number of residences have been built in Potrero and Dogpatch over the last 15 years, most of them were market-rate.
“The current plans that they had emphasize larger units, so more two- and three-bedroom apartments than we generally find in new construction,” said Eppler. “Their plan is to build a family-friendly project. Neighbors have been living with a large pit next to the freeway for a period
of time. The lack of any sort of building or activity there has led to some struggles with homeless encampments and other uses of the sites.”
Alison Heath, Potrero Boosters Development Committee chair, who lives about two blocks from the site, said the committee has seen multiple project iterations, and will work with the developers to ensure the best possible outcome.
“I think that good design is a community benefit,” Heath said. “Affordable housing is super important, but let’s make sure it looks good and suits the location.”
dogs are banned in certain areas, two of which are in the View ’s readership area: Jackson Playground and Bayfront Park in Mission Bay. Anyone can submit a dog sighting to the website. All data is anonymous; there are no user accounts or cookies collected. That also means multiple users can report the same animal, inflating overall numbers.
Since it was launched in February, 1,710 dogs have been identified as improperly off leash, though again, the same canine may be reported multiple times. At Jackson Playground, there’s been 924 reports; at Bayfront Park, 180.
Periodically, Sean sends the data to the general email boxes at San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) and the Mayor’s office.
“We need more City enforcement of these rules,” Sean said. “Why do they exist if they’re not enforced? And I understand there are bigger issues the City needs to deal with but just because bigger issues exist doesn’t mean they should ignore the smaller issues.”
“A far more efficient way to communicate with us about a problem at a park, including an unleashed dog in a leash-only area, is by contacting our rangers at 415242-6390,” said RPD Communications Manager Daniel Montes, who wasn’t aware of the website until the View contacted him. “We find most people want to do the right thing, so our rangers lead with
education and outreach. However, we do issue citations when appropriate. Another option would be to call 311.”
Neighborhood response to SF Dog Tracker has been mixed. Placards listing the website’s QR code are frequently ripped down, despite being compliant with posting rules. When Sean announced the site on social media, he received 200 comments, including “Thanks for doing this.” But the majority made statements along the lines of “Don’t you have anything better to do?” or “You’re such a loser.”
“I’m not offended,” he said. “If people are upset about this, they’re the exact demographic I’m hoping sees the website. They need to reflect on their own actions and entitlement, thinking the rules don’t apply to them.”
Celebrate
Your Loved Ones
Your community wants to know about and celebrate the life of loved ones who've passed on, as well as other life-cycle events. Consider placing notices in the View, at half the price of regular advertising rates. We can also write what needs to be said for a modest fee.
Crosswords
BY DENA R. VERKUIL
The Potrero View is accepting crossword puzzle submissions. To be considered for publication puzzles should adhere to standard crossword size (15x15) and specs; fill/clues/theme must have local relevance. Happy to take theme inquiries or unclued grids for feedback before construction. Please e-mail: denarobin@me.com
Solution on page 10.
Dog Tracker from front page
Above: Site plan for 249 Pennsylvania Avenue. IMAGE: San Francisco Planning application, December 19, 2025.
Below: Aerial view of 249 Pennsylvania Avenue with vacant lot in front of Interstate-280. IMAGE: Google Satellite
Classified
Garage Sale and Fresh Lemonade!
June 28, 11 to 4 p.m. Top of Arkansas Street at 23rd Street (across from the Rec Center). Housewares, kids’ stuff, women’s wear, books, tools. Find just what you need!
Seeking Tennis Partner
Sixty-something male intermediate tennis player looking for (semi) regular rally or game partner. Email editor@ potreroview.net
Looking for the Perfect Gift?
Looking for the perfect one-of-akind gift? SF Neighbors specializes in custom fine-line, hand-drawn illustrations full of whimsy and warmth that celebrate the love and memories of places that mean the most to you. Learn more: sfnghbrs.com
Freelance Writers Wanted
Modest pay, interesting assignments. Contact: editor@potreroview.net
Write Your Own Obituary
We're all going to die; why leave the writing of your obit to someone else? Whether you believe the end is imminent or just something you contemplate idly whilst taking a shower, you can control your own destiny, or at least how it's reported. Or, after examining your life story and finding it lacking, add to it! Up to six people in three two-hour sessions, $150. Interested parties should contact editor@potreroview.net
Legal Notices
The View accepts legal notices. Please contact: production@potreroview.net; 415.643.9578.
Got something to sell? Have a service to provide? Each classified ad is $25 for up to 200 characters. www.potreroview.net/advertise
will update timelines for the remainder of the Rebuild Potrero project. Before additional demolition can begin, however, the 129 households that remain at Potrero Terrace will be relocated to newly completed buildings onsite, or if no unit meets household size requirements, to another HOPE SF location.
Phase 1, construction of 1101 Connecticut – formerly Block X – was completed in 2019. Phase 2, which encompassed implementing Block A infrastructure – a market rate parcel
awaiting development – and Block B –Eve Community Village – was finished last year.
Phase 3 delays date to 2022, when the Eugene Burger Management Corporation (EBMC) was managing the property, doing little to prevent squatters from occupying empty units, circumstances which San Francisco Fire Department officials believe contributed to the death of 40-year-old Richard Gescat in a fire inside one of the vacant units.
Demolition marks a further distancing from an era that began in 1941, when the Terrace units were constructed to fill
the housing needs of a wartime work force, with most residences occupied by those employed as ship builders.
The 38-acre site offers dramatic views of the Oakland Hills and San Francisco Bay. To build there, “benches” were cut into the hillside in shapes dictated by the earth itself. Streets followed, abandoning the traditional City grid, setting the development apart from its neighbors.
Prepared by The Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Pursuant to Administrative Code, Section 2.81 San Francisco Board of Supervisors Board or Commission Vacancies:
Participate on a Board or Commission!
The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB)
The AAB resolves legal and value assessment issues between the Assessor’s office and property owners. Hearings are quasi-judicial, conducted in a manner similar to a court setting, with evidence and testimony presented by the parties. The Board then evaluates the evidence and testimony and renders its decision. To be eligible for seat appointment, you must have a minimum of five years professional experience in California as either a: (1) public accountant; (2) real estate broker; (3) attorney; or (4) property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized organization, or certified by either the Office of Real Estate Appraiser or the State Board of Equalization.
For a full list of current or upcoming Boards, Commissions and Task Forces, please visit https://sfbos. org/vacancy-boards-commissions-task-forces.
Want to work for the City?
Visit the website https://careers.sf.gov/ and find a job that’s right for you!S Department Announcements
311 San Francisco offers dozens of programs and services — but you only need to remember one number. 311 connects residents, businesses, and visitors to non-emergency City services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you need to report graffiti, request bulky item pickup, ask about permits, or find information about City programs, 311 makes it easy to get help. Friendly, trained representatives are available to assist you in multiple languages and ensure your request reaches the right department. You can call 3-1-1, submit a request online at sf.gov/311, or use the SF311 mobile app.
If you’re not sure who to call, start with 311. One City. One Number. Here to Help.
Elections Translated Election Materials Available — Prepare for the June 2 Election
The San Francisco Department of Elections provides translated election materials to help voters participate in local elections. Voters may request official ballots in Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, or Vietnamese. Facsimile ballots, which may be used as a reference when marking an official ballot, are also available in additional languages.
To receive election materials in your preferred language, update your language preference at sfelections.gov/ language, call (415) 558-6100, or visit the Department of Elections at City Hall, Room 48. Ballots for the June 2 election will be mailed to all registered San Francisco voters in early May. For more information, visit sfelections.gov.
Grants for the Arts
Grants for the Arts FY27–FY28 General Operating Support RFP opens in late Spring 2026. San Francisco–based nonprofit arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply. For more than 65 years, Grants for the Arts has fueled the city’s creative heartbeat - investing over $400 million in hundreds of organizations across every corner of San Francisco. General operating support powers the performances, exhibitions, festivals, and community programs that make this city a global cultural hub. Be part of the next chapter of San Francisco’s creative story. Visit www.sfgfta.org to learn more.
Law Library
Need Legal Information? We’re Here to Help!
Have legal questions? The San Francisco Law Library is your free, public resource for expert legal guidance. Our knowledgeable reference librarians are available in person, by phone, or via email to connect you with essential legal resources—whether it’s understanding evictions, drafting a will, or representing yourself in court. Explore our extensive print and electronic legal materials, use public computers for research, or access our copier, scanner, and printer. We also offer free legal programs and conference room rentals for legal use. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM, and our research materials are completely free to the public. Call us at 415-554-1772
Email sfll.reference@sfgov.org Visit us today—because access to justice starts with access to information!
The Annex was built in 1955 to serve as low-income housing, adding another 137 units in 23 buildings on just more than seven acres. Originally described by SFHA as “marginal land which perhaps otherwise would have laid undeveloped for many years,” the choice to build was made because sites were becoming increasingly difficult to find.
According to an Historic Resource Evaluation conducted in 2011 by the San Francisco Planning Department, addition of the Annex magnified the development’s differences from surrounding neighborhoods. The report blames the steep slopes for crowding and irregular building placement, indicating that its position on the opposite side of a valley crest that defines the original bowlshaped site disconnects Annex visually and spatially from Terrace.
The demographics of Annex-Terrace’s 1,300 residents—which once included O.J. Simpson and Danny Glover—changed over time. Unemployment increased, along with the complex’s poor reputation. According to BRIDGE Housing, violent crime at the housing complex was five times the City average in 2017, with residents reporting daily gunfire.
graffiti artists. But installing public art, in particular murals, reduces tagging overall,” said Lacy.
With neighborhood support, the GBD is painting safety zones on the corners of Minnesota and 19th streets as part of the Minnesota Street Slow Street project between Mariposa and 22nd streets. It’s considering installing a permanent mural or mosaic on pillars at the Minnesota Street Flyover, an underpass beneath 20th Street. In 2025, GBD collaborated with Fletcher Studio, Futureforms, and QCP Corporation to fit a temporary art piece of multicolored pentagonal designs on one of the
Flyover’s freeway pillars. The collaboration resulted in additional plants and red chairs at the location.
The GBD is also considering installing a permanent mural or mosaic on pillars at the 22nd Street Muni/Caltrain station. It’s the fiscal sponsor for the 22nd Street Staircase, led by Friends of the Potrero Hill Recreation Center, being built next to the Potrero Hill Recreation Center.
Labor and gardening materials costs have been steadily rising, putting pressure on GBD’s budget. GBD relies on locally made mulch and compost rather than fertilizer.
“We work closely with our service providers each year to negotiate contracts that reflect current market conditions while maintaining a high level of service. In alignment with our management plan, we’ve implemented modest assessment increases to help offset these changes. In addition, we actively seek donations and supplemental funding to ensure we can continue delivering projects and maintaining the district without compromising quality or scope,” said Eslick.
Serving on the GBD board for the last three years has taught Troedson a great deal about the way the City runs.
“There are so many different agencies to coordinate with in Dogpatch and Potrero Hill, such as Caltrans, Caltrain, and the Port of San Francisco. The cooperation and support of these agencies are essential to the southeastern neighborhoods,” said Troedson.
She encouraged residents to attend the Dogpatch Music Series this summer and participate in GBD’s weeding and planting days.
“The more new faces getting involved in the community, the better,” said Troedson.
Potrero Annex from front page
GBD Elections from page 5
Phase 3 area shown in the Demolition Phasing Diagram from the Development Agreement. IMAGE: Courtesy Anne Stanley, MOHCD
ODC Youth & Teen Dance Program
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