An example of the new Balboa cobblestone planters near 36th Avenue. And don’t get
too excited – those meters will get their tops soon

On February 20th, a meeting was held about the recent Balboa streetscape improvements project. The $3 million project focused on creating a safer corridor for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and transit riders along outer Balboa Street, via a series of traffic calming measures. Features of the project included wider sidewalks, bulb outs to make street crossings safer, energy efficient light fixtures, and curb ramps.

Outer Balboa residents are happy with those improvements to their street, but there’s another aspect to the project that has them seeing red: the landscaping improvements.

Specifically, the new planters that were installed on several blocks of Balboa. The new raised sidewalk planters feature dark, cobblestone walls and in some cases, very deep wells to accommodate future trees. The project fact sheet states that the “sidewalk planters to be planted with low maintenance, salt spray and drought-tolerant native and adapted plants and trees. Mulched with gravel.”

A rendering of the kind of landscaping the city envisions for some of the Balboa planters

So what’s to complain about? Plenty if RichmondSFBlog readers have anything to say about it. The planters were installed late last year and have yet to be filled with any greenery. As a result, they’ve become collection bins for rainwater, refuse and dog excrement. Not to mention a tripping hazard for pedestrians.

“I trip on the boxes going to Purusha Yoga. I know someone who actually fell. They are full of poop and garbage…,” wrote Jen J. on our Facebook page. And Brian W. wrote, “It’s only a matter of time until someone sues the city for an injury resulting from these planters.”

Others complain about the space the planters take away from the newly widened sidewalks.

“The planting areas are the biggest piece of junk ever!. If you walk down the sidewalk, there is not enough room for more than 2 people maybe to walk down,” Perrin B. wrote.

At the February 20th meeting, discussion got very heated over the planters and despite neighborhood disapproval of the landscaping, city officials told attendees “the decisions were already made” and could not be changed.

To add insult to injury, the city is only committing to planting and maintaining the planters for a period of 3 years. After that, it’s the responsibility of residents and merchants to keep the planters clean and healthy. And we all know how well that DOESN’T work in San Francisco.

Monday night’s meeting will be hosted by the Department of Public Works and Supervisor Eric Mar from 6-7:30pm at the Cabrillo Playground, located at 38th Avenue and Cabrillo (we’re presuming it will be inside the clubhouse at the playground). The goal of the meeting is to discuss the purpose and benefits of the streetscape changes along Balboa Street, and hear community input and answer questions.

What are your thoughts on the new planters along Balboa? Leave a comment to let us know.

Sarah B.

What was once a former Walgreens at 5411 Geary near 18th Avenue is soon to be a Hi-Five Sports Zone, a 5,000 square foot sports facility designed for private events and athletic development.

According to their website, Hi-Five’s “classes, leagues, and camps are designed from Hi-Five’s proprietary curriculums that have been proven and tested for over 20 years”.

The facility, which includes a large basketball court, can also be used for birthday parties, team practices and other athletic events for $100 per hour.

We spoke to Ryan Tuchman, CEO of Hi-Five Sports which started as a family business in Chicago in 1990. The company also offers its programs, designed for kids age 2-10 years, in Menlo Park, Atherton and Scottsdale, AZ.

The Geary location is the first brick-and-mortar location for Hi-Five Sports, which typically relies on venue rentals from schools, Rec & Park or other indoor venues for their programs.

Ryan says that the new location will feature “kid-sized” equipment. The basketball court will be large enough for adults to play on, but hoops will be a bit lower, and it can be covered in turf to accommodate soccer, flag football and tee-ball games.

Hi-Five chose the Richmond District for their first location because “it’s in a residential part of the city where families live, and there is a lack of indoor sports facilities there. And the space was perfect for what we needed.”

The company has hired General Manager Chris Tabarez, a former San Francisco State Gator and professional basketball player in Mexico, a teacher, coach, and athletic Director to run the new facility.

Ryan says construction is already underway inside the space and they anticipate opening in May or June of this year.

The company’s icon is Mascot Murphy, a French bulldog decked out in athletic gear. Ryan said to look for him around the neighborhood and that a possible “Murphy for Supervisor” campaign may be in the works.

It will be great to finally have that space occupied on Geary. Pressure’s on, Alexandria!

Thanks to cub reporter David H. (and other readers) for the tip.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of March 6, 2014. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 02/28/14 at 5:15am on the unit block of Sea Cliff Ave, the victim woke up and saw that a light was on in the hallway. The victim then heard footsteps and got up to see what was happening. He walked throughout the house and went into the garage where he observed the suspect. The suspect was attempting to open the garage door when the victim confronted him and asked him what he was doing. The suspect kept questioning the victim saying, “What are you doing?” “What do you want” and “Are you crazy?” At this point the suspect was able to get the garage door open and he jumped into the victim’s vehicle that was parked in the garage and drove away. The suspect was also able to take the victim’s laptop and wallet from inside the home. Approximately 6 hours later, a Sheriff’s Deputy was called to a home in Humboldt County. A person in the home had a restraining order against a relative who had just fled in a vehicle. A description of the suspect and vehicle was put out in that county and deputies located the suspect a short time later. Upon running the license plate they saw that it came back as a stolen vehicle and contacted the Inspector at Richmond Station. The vehicle belonged to the victim on Sea Cliff and his wallet and laptop were also located. The 28yr old male was charged with stolen auto and possession of stolen property.

On 02/28/14 at 1:45pm, the victim walked out of Safeway at 850 La Playa and saw her vehicle that had been stolen the day before on the 3500 block of Geary. She saw a female get into the driver’s side and a male into the passenger side and drive off. She ran into the store to call 911 and when she came back out the car was gone. As she waited outside for the responding officers, her car came back into the parking lot but the female was the only one inside. The car drove out of the lot again and officers arrived and stopped the vehicle. The 31 year old female suspect was charged with possession of stolen property, stolen auto and a probation violation.

On 02/26/14 an auto burglary occurred in Golden Gate Park near the De Young Museum. A witness was able to provide the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle, which had fled the area. The same vehicle appeared to be involved in several other auto burglaries throughout the city and officers were able to determine who the driver of the vehicle was. On 02/28/14 officers were again made aware of the vehicle driving through the park near the De Young Museum. Several plainclothes officers from different station searched the park and other tourist areas. The officers located the vehicle and suspects in the parking lot of the Legion of Honor. Officers saw that the passenger had exited the vehicle, walked up to the victim’s vehicle, smashed the window and pulled out a backpack. The suspects fled down El Camino Del Mar towards 32nd Ave. A marked vehicle was in the area and attempted to stop the vehicle, which crashed into the patrol car. The suspect vehicle continued and hit a tree nearby and the suspect fled the car. A foot pursuit was initiated and the first suspect was caught after crossing the 17th fairway at Lincoln Park Golf Course. The second suspect had fled south on 32nd Ave towards Clement and was located on a bus at 33rd and Geary. The victim’s backpack and contents were recovered. The first suspect and driver of the vehicle is on federal probation and was charged with the violation of probation as well as auto burglary, assault on an officer, hit and run and possession of stolen property. The passenger was charged with auto burglary, possession of burglary tools and a probation violation.

On 03/01/14 at 5:23am, officers were called to the 1900 block of Divisadero on a report of two males trying to break into a business. When they arrived they saw the first suspect standing just inside the overhang looking north and south on Divisadero. The second male was tampering with the front door. The first suspect alerted the other to the officer’s arrival and the two men began to walk away. Officers detained the suspects and saw that there was a wood chisel stuck in the door jamb next to the deadbolt. The suspects were in possession of numerous burglary tools, including a crow bar, vice grips and screw drivers. Officers also located methamphetamine. The suspects, one 26yrs, the other 42yrs, were charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools and a narcotic violation.

On 03/02/14 at 3:30pm, plainclothes officers were in the area MLK Drive near Stow Lake when they were made aware of a male attempting to break into vehicles. When the suspect saw that he was being watched by passerby’s he fled into the bushes. The plainclothes officers searched the area and located the suspect on Stow Lake Drive. They all knew this suspect as he has been arrested numerous times for auto burglary in Golden Gate Park. The 55 year old male was in possession of burglary tools, a glass pipe and is on felony probation. He was charged accordingly.

On 03/02/14 at 4:55pm, plainclothes officers responded to the area of 28th and Clement St as they were provided with information that a person who familiar to them may be in possession of firearms. The officers were aware that this subject was also on probation. They located the suspect standing on the 2700 block of Clement St. The officers exited the vehicle and at that point the suspect noticed the officers. The suspect reached into his pocket, took something out and placed it in his mouth. Believing that the suspect was trying to swallow narcotics, the officer pushed the suspects head towards his chest, making it difficult to swallow. The officer told him several times to spit it out and finally the suspect complied. The object was a small baggie with methamphetamine. Officers then conducted a probation search of the suspect’s residence and found no evidence of firearms, but did recover additional narcotics. The 50 yr old male was charged with possession of narcotics and a probation violation.

On 03/03/14 at 1:42am, an officer on patrol observed the suspect riding a bike along the sidewalk on Fulton at Arguello. The suspect was along the curbside of the vehicles parked along Fulton and the officer was aware of recent auto burglaries in the area. He stopped to talk to the male who told the officer he was on parole for auto theft. The 43yr old male who was also in possession of methamphetamine was charged with narcotic and parole violations.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 03/01/14 at 7:30pm, officers were dispatched to a call of an alarm on the unit block of Stanyan. They arrived to find the tradesman’s door pried open with a screw driver lying on the ground. Officers conducted a walkthrough of the premise and it appears that the alarm scared the suspect off.

On 03/01/14 between 9:30pm and 11:55pm on the 100 block of Cook St, a suspect entered an apartment building by unknown means. The suspect pried open the front door of one of the apartments and took two laptops and a camera.

On 03/02/14 at 8:28pm, the victim was eating at a restaurant on the 5500 block of Geary. A male came in and started to give the waitress a hard time. The victim verbally intervened on behalf of the waitress and tried to get the suspect to leave. The suspect then threw a fork at the victim, who was attempting to escort the suspect out. They got into a physical fight and the victim ended up with a large gash on his forehead. The suspect fled the scene. He was described as a white male, 30-40yrs with blond hair. He was wearing a blue ski jacket and carrying a sleeping bag.

On 03/03/14 at 10am, an 80 year old victim received a call from someone stating he worked for Legal Aid in Las Vegas and that the victim’s grandson was in jail. The victim was told to wire money for bail to the Dominican Republic to get the grandson out of jail. The victim complied and then later on told a relative what had occurred, she was told that the incident was a scam.

On 03/04/14 at 12:30pm on the 300 block of 2nd Ave, the victim was in the back of his apartment when he heard a loud noise at his front door. As he walked towards the front door, a suspect kicked opens the front door. The victim yelled out then could hear the suspect running down the steps. The victim ran out but when he got outside he couldn’t tell which direction the suspect had run.

On 03/05/14 between 7:30am and 6pm on the 700 block of 20th Ave, a suspect entered a home through an unlocked window. The suspect took a laptop, iPad and jewelry.

A rendering of the planned parklet on Balboa Street

Simple Pleasures Cafe at 3434 Balboa near 35th Avenue is the latest merchant in the Richmond District to sponsor a parklet, or mini park, in front of their business. On Monday, the cafe posted a rendering of the parklet on their Facebook page.

Construction began about two weeks ago but was slowed by the recent rains. Scott, a spokesperson for Simple Pleasures, said they expect the parklet to be open in about 15 days (weather permitting).

The Simple Pleasures parklet will eliminate 3 parking spaces on the block, and is the first one in the city to be built on a 1.5 degree incline. Materials include wood and concrete, and the estimated budget for the parklet is $26,000.

“It’s one of the most expensive built yet in San Francisco,” Scott said.

Parklets typically consist of seating and some greenery, and though they are usually subsidized and cared for by a specific business, the parklet space is considered public.

Parklets are part of the San Francisco Planning Department’s Pavement to Parks initiative, designed to “temporarily reclaim unused swathes of land and quickly and inexpensively turn them into new public spaces”.

This will be the second parklet in the Richmond District. The first one debuted on Clement Street near 3rd Avenue in August 2013.

Sarah B.

Construction is underway on the new parklet in front of Simple Pleasures Cafe

Photo by @CliffHouse

@CliffHouse tweeted this photo out of a sand painting that was done on Monday morning. Looks like the work of Andres Amador…

Sarah B.

Kumquat’s storefront

• After 16 years at 147 Clement, Kumquat Art is closing. Word on the street is that their lease is up and their new rent is higher than they would like. Window signs indicate they’ll be relocating but we don’t know where. In the meantime, all stock is 30% off (35% off if you pay cash) and 50% off INGE Glass Christmas ornaments (55% with cash).
• Socketsite reports that the condominiums planned for Clement near 32nd Avenue will likely move forward (SF Planning Dept vote is today). The development is the current site of the European Foods market, and consists of a four-story, 40-foot tall building with three, 3-bedroom condos and three, 2-bedroom condos over ground floor retail. Plus parking for six cars and ten bikes. Visit Socketsite for renderings of the project.
• A new parklet us underway in front of Simple Pleasures Cafe at 3434 Balboa Street. Rain has delayed the construction and we’re awaiting more details and a rendering from the owner. Stay tuned.
• Expansion! Our artistic Clement Street gallery and boutique Park Life has opened a second location at 3049 22nd Street at Shotwell in the Mission District. The store is open now (11-7 daily, closed Tuesdays) and the official opening party will be on Friday, March 21st from 6-9pm, everyone is welcome. “The new store will occupy nearly 800 sq ft of a corner ground floor space in a turn-of-the century building with 14 foot ceilings and mid-floor to ceiling windows. Much like the original location, the new store will feature contemporary art and design products from all over the world.”
• There’s a new tenant across from Foggy Notion on 6th Avenue called Save My Seat. Owner Lauren Siegel offers custom upholstery plus handmade pillows and vintage furniture she’s rehabbed. Welcome them to the neighborhood!
• The Chron’s John King has a penchant for some of Sea Cliff’s quirky architecture. He’ll tell you about it in this video.

Reader Chantelle M. sent in these photos of a tree being removed on Clement near 44th Avenue on Friday.

Crews removed the tree in chunks, which had fallen onto the front end of a parked car and out into the roadway. As far as we know, no one was injured when the tree fell.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of February 28, 2014. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN SIMON SILVERMAN’S MESSAGE
In San Francisco, a bike is stolen every three hours and there has been a 70% increase in bicycle theft since 2006. The SFPD has a warehouse filled with hundreds of recovered bikes, most of which were probably stolen, but we have no way of returning these bikes to their owners because many people don’t keep a record of their serial numbers and don’t register their bikes.

To combat this problem, San Francisco SAFE and the SFPD have just started a bike registration program. By going to the Safe Bikes website, you can register your bike, upload a copy of your purchase receipt and also upload photos of your bike. Then, if your bike is ever stolen, there is a much greater chance that it can be returned to you.

The Safe Bikes website has tips on how best to lock your bike including diagrams and videos. In general, you should lock the rear wheel with a U-lock that also goes through the rear triangle of the bike frame. The lock should be attached to a solid, immovable object. You should use a second lock (preferably another U-lock) to lock up the front wheel. You can also use a cable or chain to lock the saddle, however chain and cable locks are easier to cut than U-locks. You might also consider replacing the quick release skewers on the wheels and seat post with locking skewers.

In the Richmond District, a lot of bikes are stolen out of garages. It’s a good idea to lock your bike when it’s in the garage the same way that you would lock it when it’s out in public. To reduce your chances of theft from your garage, make sure that all of your garage doors are closed and locked and avoid putting valuable items by a window.

Safe Bikes is hosting an upcoming bike theft prevention workshop in March. You can register for this workshop on their website and if you are one of the first 45 people to bring in your old cable style bike lock, you can trade it for a brand new U-lock.

We have some more handouts on locking your bike and on bike safety, so ride by Richmond Station and pick one up.

Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 02/23/14 at 11pm, an officer was conducting traffic at the intersection of 25th and California due to a large power outage in the Richmond District. The officer’s vehicle had all of its lights on, including the over head light bar. The officer had also set out flares all around the intersection to help control traffic and avoid a potential collision. The officer observed a vehicle traveling south on 25th approaching California and it did not appear to be braking for the intersection, which became a 4 way stop when the light went out. The officer pointed his flashlight at the vehicle and yelled several times for the driver to stop. The driver passed the officer at approximately 20mph and looked directly at him. The vehicle then revved its engine and sped up, continuing south. The officer got into his vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at Geary and 25th Ave. When he approached the vehicle he could smell marijuana emanating from within. Both the driver and passenger admitted to having oxycodone in their possession however neither had a prescription. The passenger had numerous Xanax pills, again without a prescription. Officers detained both occupants for the violation. Along with ammunition, officers located heroin, an M-80 explosive and a large amount of marijuana. The two suspects, both 22yrs, were charged with narcotic violations.

On 02/24/14 at 11:55pm, officers responded to the area of the Atalaya Terrace, off of Fulton St on a report of two males casing vehicles and houses. A description was provided by the caller and the officer located the suspect at Fulton and Masonic. The officer, who recognized the male and knew he was on probation, detained him along with another subject that had joined him. The initial suspect was clear of all warrants and a probation search was conducted and he was clear of any contraband. The second male was also on probation and found to be in possession of a glass pipe and a spark plug. Spark plugs are commonly used by auto burglars to break the windows on cars. Both males have extensive history for burglary, auto burglary and narcotic violations. The second male, 20yrs old was charged with possession of narcotic paraphernalia, burglary tools and a probation violation.

On 02/27/14 at 12:45pm, officers received a call of suspicious male possibly dealing narcotics from a vehicle in the area of 16th and Balboa. Plainclothes officers responded and located the male in the vehicle. The suspect was intent on looking down onto something on his lap and did not see or hear the officers approach. When the officer got to the driver’s door he could see that the suspect was looking at a baggie of marijuana. When the officer announced himself to the driver was startled and tried to hide the bag. They had the male exit the vehicle and on the floorboard saw another large baggie of marijuana. They located a scale and cash in the vehicle. There was also another large baggie in a box of clothing. The 23yr old male was charged with possession of marijuana for sales.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 02/22/14, 6pm and 02/24/2014, 7am on the 2900 block of Jackson St, a suspect entered a home under construction. The suspect kicked a window and although the glass did not break the frame gave way allowing access. There was no loss as all items are removed at the end of the work day.

Between 02/25/14, 8pm and 02/26/14, 7:30am on the 800 block of 47th Ave, a suspect entered a garage and took a bike. Entry was made through an unlocked rear door.

On 02/26/14 at 8:20pm on the 500 block of 25th Ave, a porta-potty was set on fire. Melted plastic from the structure landed on a car that was parked nearby.

On 02/27/14 at 1pm, the victim left her home on the 400 block of 17th Ave and went for a walk in Golden Gate Park. She parked her car near the Conservatory of Flowers and when she returned to her car she saw that her center console was open and her garage remote was missing. She went home and saw that a laptop and computer were now missing from her home. It is believed that the suspect entered the home with the remote as there were no signs of forced entry.