Last night, Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar was the guest of honor at a League of Young Voters event at Park Life. About 30 people attended, many of them members of the League and some wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the group’s original name, “The League of Pissed Off Voters” (I found them very nice and polite). During the event, Mar took questions from the crowd for 40 minutes.
When asked about commercial developments in the Richmond, Supervisor Mar touched on both the Alexandria and the vacant market at 32nd and Clement. While the Fresh & Easy chain had shown interest in taking over the market, Mar says that is “all on hold now” saying that Trader Joe’s as well as CVS Pharmacy may be interested in the space. Mar says he is trying to encourage the building owners to keep things moving as neighbors are eager to see the space occupied.
Mar also said he had a “good meeting” this week with six of the Alexandria Theater’s owners. Sounds like they are not overseas as had been rumored. He also said he heard from one of the neighborhood theaters, e.g. the Balboa or the 4-Star, about becoming a possible tenant in the new development.
Mar said he is urging the city and the planning department to move things along for the Alexandria, and to focus on a mixed use space that would include retail space, affordable housing, non-profit occupants (ala the YMCA) and a possible restaurant – all while preserving the building’s iconic art deco design.
One person in the crowd asked about a possible Richmond / Sunset District skate park. Mar indicated there was work going on to build one in Golden Gate Park near the Stanyan Street end. He also shared that his young daughter, Jade, recently broke her wrist skating, so he would welcome the park so she could learn from “people who know what they’re doing”. Poor Jade! Let’s hope she’s at least getting some good signatures on her cast.
Supervisor Mar also voiced his support for the proposed soccer field renovations planned for Beach Chalet in Golden Gate Park, saying “I think the benefits to many families and residents in the Richmond but also other parts of the city by having improved soccer fields is very important. That’s why I think the fields are needed for the city. I’m willing to consider the lighting [issues] and other environmental impacts, but I think the fields would benefit our neighborhood.”
League of Young Voters members show their “pissed off” spirit
Mar’s strongest comments were about the recent layoffs of 17,000 city workers who will then be rehired but guaranteed only a 37.5 hour work week, with the same workload. While the tactic will put $110 million back into the city’s leaking coffers, Mar called it “totally the wrong thing to do”.
Mar went further and called the process racist and sexist, telling the crowd that trying to balance the budget “off the backs of the lowest paid workers – the janitors, custodians, secretaries and others that are some of the hardest working people in the city – is unfair and a slap in the face. And racist as well because it impacts – racist and sexist as well – because of how it was done.”
On a lighter note, the event featured a round of “human bingo” where the gameboard was made up of little known facts about Supervisor Mar. Things like “is left handed”, “has a twin sibling”, “played basketball in Jr. High”, “plays trumpet”, “is not a fan of the Governator” and much to Mar’s chagrin, “posted 15 times to Facebook this week”.
Sarah B.
The crowd looks on as Supervisor Mar takes questions.
Supervisor Mar addresses the crowd. Note the backdrop of some of Park Life’s ghoulish artwork.
Another “pissed off” member from League of Young Voters
Nate Miller, an advocate for the sit/lie protest taking place on Saturday across the city.
He’ll be at 4th & Clement mid-day on Saturday.
I’ve always thought the 32nd/Clement store would be a great Trader Joe’s location. The outer Richmond desperately needs a quality grocery option.
“Mar called it “totally the wrong thing to do” (…) Mar went further and called the process racist and sexist”
I am ashamed to have Eric Mar as our Supervisor. Has he offered any ideas on how to balance the budget? Has he mentioned that the number of city workers almost tripled since 1960s, while the city population hasn’t grown? Has he mentioned that more than 9,000 of them make six digits, and the salaries of the rest is very competitive as well, especially considering the benefits? Has he talked about their pensions that dwarf anything that people with 401Ks can dream of? The city paid $175 mil in pensions and health care costs in 2005; in 2013 we’ll pay $675 mil – has Mar talked about that?
I guess it’s just easier to shift the discussion to bogus claims of racism and sexism.
Even Willie Brown finally saw the light and started talking about the need to cut benefits and salaries.
The city is almost guaranteed to go through bankruptcy sometime over next 15 years. When that happens, and even the basic services are cut, please remember the role Eric Mar and other politicians played in this disaster.
I hope we will get the Trader Joe’s at 32/Clement- we really need a good store around here; and the location is perfect for it.
I’ve been back to the Richmond a couple of times in the last 5 years, and the 32nd & Clement (former Safeway, as it was when I lived there YEARS ago) store has been vacant for at least that long (how long has it been vacant?) It’s sad to see it just sitting there. Seems the only grocery option is the Safeway at Ocean Beach–we shopped at Sutro Super when I lived there in the 70s (long since closed, and I think is now a Walgreens?). Trader Joes would be fabulous–love shopping there.
Trader Joes would do very well to move their store to that location. Parking and size of the store, not to mention it would eliminate that traffic mess on Masonic.
I agree with the shortening of the work week to rope in some funds to pay off the deficit, but I would like to see it start at the highest paid levels and trickle down to specific income bracket. Calling the cuts sexist/racist is just to stir up drama. I see he is learning quickly from all the other useless supervisor’s in this city.
Alexandria should stay a theatre, and if it means helping the 4-Star/Balboa people own it by any means necessary, than I would be all for it. It’s too bad AMC abandoned it especially after the Coliseum and Coronet closed. I worked at the Alex during college and the management was always short-sighted and horrible. It would be nice to not have spend a nest-egg on Van Ness to see a movie again.
Thanks everyone for the input, and Sarah for coming to Park Life last night!
Great photos too – esp. the Ghoulish one!
I met the League of Young Voters when I taught at SF State and have seen them grow from a few scattered chapters to a strong local and national political voice for young people. The SF League is working on their voter guide now for the June election and could use support and energy from the neighborhood. http://theleague.com/sf
The Sit-Lie activist featured in one of your photos is Nate Miller, a longtime Richmond District resident and organizer. Join us on 4th and Clement on Saturday 3/27! More info http://www.standagainstsitlie.org/
Also, thanks so much to Derrick & Jamie from one of our neighborhood’s creative gems PARK LIFE! http://www.parklifestore.com/
Are business owners and home owners for or against Sit-Lie?
4th and Clement, nobody ever just “sits-lies” on Clement St. Come on now..seriously? This is not a Richmond District issue, because nobody does this!!!!
If it is not a Richmond district issue, then why will it be illegal to sit on any inch of the sidewalk in the entire city, including all of the Richmond district. I am choosing to sit at 4th and clement, because it is a block away from my house, and I do often sit on the sidewalk. This is a high traffic area where I will be able to discuss the issue with other community members.
also.
I would just like to state that Eric has been a great Supervisor in my opinion. He has been very responsive to constituent concerns (mine and others who I know who have talked to him), and even when I don’t agree with him (smoking ban), he has a measured approach to every issue. Last night, we saw him answer people’s questions, and you could see how much consideration he put into ever response. He is not an ideologue, and it is very clear that he cares about what he is doing.
Trader Joes Yes!
2 cents worth…
Trader Joe’s – Yes!
Beach Chalet Renovations – Yes!
Sit Lie Law – Absolutely in favor of it
Claims of racism & sexism without providing proof – Deplorable
Eric. Why are you in favor of a law that makes the simple act of sitting down in public space illegal?
Supervisor Mar, since you apparently read this blog, could you please take a minute and explain the claim of racism and sexism?
If you could also offer your views on balancing the city budget, and answer other questions above (see comment #2) it would be interesting to hear as well.
Has Fresh & Easy done any work on the Clement Street vacant building store site at all yet?
I remember it was at least 2 years ago when they announced they were going to put a store there, along with one at the new condo development at Third & Carroll.