Photo by Wolfgang Schubert

RichmondSFBlog reader Wolfgang sent in this humorous photo of a real estate sign at 830 El Camino del Mar in Sea Cliff.

The views of the bay from this property are spectacular, and in theory you could probably scale the cliff and literally sail away. Or perhaps living here tends to take you away from it all, sailing into the proverbial sunset.

Sarah B.

At the July 20th general meeting of the Planning Association for the Richmond, Safeway will share its latest plans for the Ocean Beach / La Playa Safeway remodel.

Back in February, Safeway held the latest in a series of community meetings where they shared a conceptual video of the new La Playa store. For the first time neighbors could see what the exterior views and landscaping around the store would look like.

The video, shown above, walks viewers all the way around the property, including views from La Playa and 48th Avenue.

According to the project website, Safeway is currently working with specialists on landscape architecture, sound, and vehicle/bicycle/pedestrian circulation in response to neighbor questions.

Safeway also submitted their Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) to the city on June 11 from which Safeway will receive initial feedback and procedural instructions.

Safeway anticipates submitting a formal development application to the city this fall, which will then go through the usual planning channels for review and approval.

Once construction is started, the remodel of the Ocean Beach / La Playa Safeway is expected to take 10 months. The store will remain open during the project.

The PAR general meeting will be held at the Richmond District Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue, from 7pm until 9pm.

Sarah B.

Cub reporter David H. strolled by the Alexandria Theater today and noticed that the scaffolding had finally been removed. Repairs had been underway after high winds in April knocked portions of the sign loose, requiring the SFFD to make some emergency repairs.

Nearby Yuflux Engineering, who has been project managing the job, confirmed that the temporary repairs have been completed. Sheet metal panels that fell during the storm or that were missing altogether have been replaced. In addition, all of the sign’s bolts that were missing or rusted have been checked and if needed, replaced.

In addition to the much-needed repairs, the Alexandria sign also received a much needed, fresh coat of paint.

Due to the historic nature of the sign, further repairs will be required, with plans and specifications requiring reviewed by the Planning Department.

Plans are still underway to re-develop the Alexandria Theater property. The project includes converting the main building into commercial space that would feature a small, 221 seat theater, and adding residential units on the back parking lot.

In late May, the project received a final mitigated negative declaration (PDF, 10MB) from the Planning Department, meaning the project would not have a significant effect on the environment. Now it’s up the Planning Department to schedule their hearing with the developers for final review and approval.

Sarah B.

The future showroom of Avetex Furniture at 25th & Geary. Inset: Vacant after Kragen Auto Parts moved out.

Avetex Furniture has been in business for 10 years, offering contemporary furnishings online and at their showroom at 6114 Geary Boulevard.

Business must be good because the company plans to open a new, larger showroom just across the street at the corner of 25th Avenue and Geary. The building used to be home to Kragen Auto Parts, but has been sitting vacant for at least a year, sometimes the target of practical jokes.

Manager Marina Shnayder tells us it’s been a challenge getting the new showroom ready. “The interior needed a lot of work,” she said. The exterior facade has also been painted with a fresh coat of brown paint.

Avetex anticipates opening their doors on July 1. The 6114 Geary location will still remain open.

I’m thrilled to hear that one of our larger retail spaces on Geary will be occupied again. Special thanks to cub reporter David H. for getting the scoop from Avetex, and to RichmondSFBlog reader Steve for the tip.

Sarah B.

The existing Avetex Furniture store at 6114 Geary

Construction is nearly complete and the four, 3-bedroom, two-level condos are now on the market. Referred to as Park Modern by Vanguard Properties who are marketing the luxury condos, the new units have a modern feel with minimalist design and high-end finishing touches. Also some great views from the rooftop deck.

San Francisco realtor Matt Fuller reviewed the building after taking a broker’s tour earlier this week. He had high praise for the condos that sit just across from Golden Gate Park:

The finishes throughout are absolutely beautiful, with a clean, minimalist vibe in all of the homes. Three of the four homes for sale have outdoor space for the exclusive use of that home. While the views from the private roof decks were beautiful, I fell in love with the private patio and garden that is adjacent to the living/dining/kitchen space of Residence #1. The wall of windows and sliding door that open onto this beautifully landscaped area do a wonderful job of bringing the outdoors in to the living space. It’s really rare to find space like this, it wouldn’t surprise me if this one goes into contract before all of the others.

Fuller reports that prices start at $1,099,000 for the smallest condo and go up to $1,489,000 for the largest home, with at least one, sometimes two assigned parking spaces for each.

Check out more pics and info at the Park Modern website.

No word yet on who or what will take over the 700 square foot commercial space on the first level.

What do you think of the new building? Leave a comment to let us know.

Sarah B.

And some shots of it under construction, courtesy of Edward Betts who lives nearby:

L to R: Supervisor Eric Mar, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
cut the ribbon for the opening of St. Peter’s Place on 29th Avenue. Photo by Chris Cahill.

We had some dignitaries in the neighborhood today to celebrate the official grand opening of St. Peter’s Place, a new affordable housing development for developmentally disabled adults on 29th Avenue between Geary and Clement.

U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, along with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar were all on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am this morning.

“We know that there’s a deep need for affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults in San Francisco and across the nation; St. Peter’s Place is a model,” Leader Pelosi said. “St. Peter’s Place is also leading the way with energy efficiency and job creation, and I’m proud to salute their efforts.”

The 20 housing units in St. Peter’s Place will allow adults with developmental disabilities to live on their own, with supervision by a social worker who can link them to education, employment, medical care and social activities. Residents live in one or two room spaces, with the option of having aides live with them.

“I have been wanting to live on my own for a very long time and I have been on a wait list for the last 6 years,” said Sarah Hoffman, a new resident of St. Peter’s Place. “I thank the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center for helping me to stay in San Francisco, where I was born and raised, and providing the supportive housing that I need.”

St. Peter’s Place sits on the land that was once the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church sanctuary. The sanctuary had been vacant since it was damaged during the 1989 earthquake.

The project received funds from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the state and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. St. Peter’s teamed up with the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center for the construction, whose Housing Services Affiliate has been developing affordable housing since 1982. The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center owns and operates the housing complex.

Sarah B.

New St. Peter’s Place affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults
on 29th Avenue. Photo by Faith Kirkpatrick.

We’ve got some heavyweight politicos joining us next Monday for the official grand opening of St. Peter’s Place, a new 20 unit housing complex on 29th Avenue for developmentally disabled adults.

In addition to Mayor Ed Lee and Supervisor Eric Mar, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi will also be in attendance for the pomp and circumstance, which begins at 10:30am at St. Peter’s on 29th Avenue between Clement and Geary.

The 20 housing units in St. Peter’s Place will allow adults with developmental disabilities to live on their own, with supervision by a social worker who can link them to education, employment, medical care and social activities. Residents will be able to choose from one and two room spaces, with the option of having aides live with them.

St. Peter’s Place sits on the land that was once the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church sanctuary. The sanctuary had been vacant since it was damaged during the 1989 earthquake.

The project received funds from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the state and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. St. Peter’s teamed up with the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center for the construction, whose Housing Services Affiliate has been developing affordable housing since 1982.

St. Peter’s Place has 14 studios, 4, 1-bedrooms and 1, 2-bedroom unit for tenants as well as a community room, community kitchen, laundry facilities and a backyard patio. Last month, Supervisor Mar helped pick winners in the new development’s housing lottery.

It’s going to be a banner week for mayoral sightings in the Richmond District. Mayor Lee will also be holding a city budget town hall meeting at the Richmond Rec Center on Wednesday, April 27.

Sarah B.

Kitchen facilities inside one of the new St. Peter’s Place units.

This Saturday will mark the official grand opening of the Institute on Aging’s (IOA) new Senior Campus, located at 3575 Geary near Arguello. The project first broke ground in 2008 and includes a 3-story, 50,000 square foot building that houses offices and health and social support programs for seniors, along with a 150-unit residential housing development, also for seniors.

The IOA has been around for 25 years and its mission is to help seniors live independently, or “age in place” as some refer to it. To further that mission, the IOA offers a comprehensive array of programs and services that seniors can participate in by visiting the campus. Some participants come on their own, others via IOA transit vans that pick them up from their homes. Some are dropped off by family members or caregivers.

Once at the IOA Senior Campus, clients have access to a myriad of programming and services including art programs, geriatric care, psychological counseling, and social day programs.

I was taken on a tour of the new Senior Campus recently, which will welcome the community this Saturday, April 2 to a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony from 11:30am until 2pm.

It’s unlike any senior center that I’ve ever visited. There’s plenty of natural light flooding in to the building, peaceful courtyards, lots of pleasant earth tones and other natural touches, as well as state-of-the-art facilities to facilitate the health and social support programs that IOA offers.

The light and airy front lobby immediately sets the tone of the new building, which was designed by architect Ignatius Tsang of Tsang Architecture. Tsang wanted the building to reflect on the cycle of life and the wisdom that comes with age. To illustrate that, Tsang implemented a circular design to the building whose centerpiece is a round, open courtyard. Even as you walk through the curved hallways, you notice a tiled ring that runs continuously around the bottom floor.

The center courtyard of the new IOA Senior Campus, complete with fountain.

Tsang also kept his primary audience in mind while putting on the finishing touches. As you walk around the building, you notice a variety of floor materials, colors and textures blended in together. I was told this was by design as many seniors look down at the floor to aid in walking, so Tsang wanted to ensure that their view was as interesting as possible.

Another of the building’s highlights is the “Tree of Life” mural by artist Neil Seth Levine, which you see as soon as you walk in the door. Composed of over 1 million tiny glass tiles, the mosaic runs from the basement level all the way up to the second floor, and depicts trees and leaves in different times of day and seasons. When you see it in person, it’s hard to believe it only took two and half weeks to construct.

The Tree of Life mural by artist Neil Seth Levine, as seen from the 2nd floor above the lobby.
Inset: a closeup of the tiny tiles that make up the mosaic.

The new Senior Campus was 10 years in the making and cost $100 million to build. The 50,000 square foot building includes 70 offices, 2 activity / rehabilitation rooms, 5 conference rooms, and a large meeting room / auditorium. About 140 IOA staff will work in the new campus building, many of whom are being brought in from other IOA offices. All but one of the five Geary Boulevard campuses of the IOA will be merged into the new senior campus. Only the 2700 Geary location will remain open.

$15 million of the project’s cost was funded by donations to the IOA from private donors, just 210 to be exact. Longtime San Francisco philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman provided a lead donation of $2 million to the project. The IOA’s total fundraising goal for the project is $18 million, so they are still looking for donations to help retire the debt.

Next door at 3595 Geary are the Coronet Apartments, a new 150-unit, low-income, residential housing complex for seniors. It’s managed separately by Bridge Housing, who rents out the studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments for $450 to $700 per month. The apartments are expected to have their official opening in June; about 40 units are currently occupied.

53 of the Coronet Apartments are allocated to participants in IOA’s PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program. PACE enables seniors with chronic health conditions to receive care in the community while continuing to live at home. In April, the IOA’s Senior Campus will open their PACE clinic, offering an array of medical services for PACE clients.

An outdoor area on the second floor. The Coronet Apartments overlook it from the right.

The new Senior Campus also includes a large meeting room on the lower level which the IOA has made available for public rental. The room includes a raised stage (with a wheelchair lift) and can hold up to 150 people. The room is also outfitted with full audio visual equipment. Revenues made from renting out the room will be put back into the IOA’s operating budget.

Also on the lower level are new class and storage rooms for the IOA’s Center for Elders and Youth in the Arts (CEYA) program. Art classes in poetry, dance, and the visual arts are taught around the Bay Area, some in collaboration with youth and youth organizations.

Aside from providing valuable art programming to seniors, CEYA also helps fund itself through its Corporate Art Lending program. The best works of art that come from CEYA participants are scanned, printed and framed in-house at the IOA, and are then lent out to corporations who pay a fee – $4,000 to $7,000 – to lease entire gallery exhibitions. The program offers complete gallery installations with themes like “San Francisco: Literal to Abstract”, “Time Changes” and “Flowers”.

One of the new CEYA storage rooms in the lower level. Those cabinets house the framed
prints that are part of the program’s Corporate Art Lending program.

In addition to being a valuable resource for seniors, the IOA also wants to be one for the community. The IOA mans a special phone hotline, 415-750-4111, that anyone can call with questions about senior health, aging, elderly care, anything really. There is an intake department at the new Senior Campus which answers the hotline and assists callers.

Janet Howell, Director of Communications and Marketing at the IOA told me they receive about 500 calls a month to the hotline, which is printed on senior literature that is distributed all over the Bay Area.

“We’d really like for the community to know that we are the premiere resource for aging. So whether or not we can help you personally, we should know who can,” Howell said.

To take a tour of the Institute of Aging’s new Senior Campus, stop by the grand opening event this Saturday from 11:30am until 2pm. For more information on the IOA, visit their website or call 750-4111.

Sarah B.

Another small courtyard off of one of the day program rooms.

The large meeting room / auditorium that is on the lower level. Available for public rental.

Last March, we reported that St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was breaking ground on a new housing facility for the developmentally disabled, called St. Peter’s Place.

The 20 housing units in St. Peter’s Place will allow adults with developmental disabilities to live on their own, with supervision by a social worker who can link them to education, employment, medical care and social activities. Residents will be able to choose from one and two room spaces, with the option of having aides live with them.

St. Peter’s Place sits on the land that was once the church’s sanctuary on 29th Avenue between Geary and Clement. The sanctuary had been vacant since it was damaged during the 1989 earthquake.

The project received funds from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the state and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. St. Peter’s teamed up with the Bernal Heights Neighbohood Center for the construction, whose Housing Services Affiliate has been developing affordable housing since 1982.

St. Peter’s Place has 14 studios, 4, 1-bedrooms and 1, 2-bedroom unit for tenants as well as a community room, community kitchen, laundry facilities and a backyard patio. The building is expected to receive LEED certification.

Construction is nearly complete and interest in the housing units has been high. They received 97 applications for the 19 available units (one of the units will be for a resident staff person/manager). Last week, Supervisor Eric Mar was on hand to help draw winners in the St. Peter’s Place housing lottery.

The facility is expected to officially open in April.

Special thanks to Faith Kirkpatrick of the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and Myrna Melga of Supervisor Mar’s office for the photos.

Sarah B.

Supervisor Eric Mar (L) draws winners in the St. Peter’s Place housing lottery.

Kitchen facilities inside one of the new units.

Safeway held another community meeting last week where they shared the latest conceptual video of the new La Playa Safeway. For the first time you can see what the exterior architecture and landscaping around the store will look like. The video walks viewers all the way around the property, including views from La Playa and 48th Avenue.

Entrances to the store will be on the corner of La Playa and Fulton, as well as next to the underground parking entrance halfway down the block on La Playa. There is also a retail space planned for the corner of Cabrillo and La Playa.

The only part of the project not yet designed are the condominiums that will be built at the north end of the block. However those will not be built by Safeway, but rather by a future developer. So those are still shown as plain white boxes in the video.

There is still no formal start date for the project, but presumably we’ll have that soon as Safeway embarks on the permitting process. Once construction starts, Safeway estimates it will take 10 months to complete the remodel. The store will remain open during the project.

Sorry there’s no music with the video; just hum something upbeat and classical while you’re watching.

So, what do you think of Safeway’s new look?

Sarah B.