Author: Alfredo Casuso

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org  

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PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN AND UNION SQUARE

The proposal introduced by Mayor Breed and Board President Peskin will help fill vacant spaces by facilitating a greater variety of businesses and activities throughout Downtown and Union Square, and removing barriers to converting office buildings to housing  

San Francisco, CA — The Planning Commission today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin to support Downtown’s future as a place where people work, visit, and live.

The legislation delivers strategies to help fill vacant space in the Downtown and Union Square areas in two key areas. First, it amends the City’s Planning and Building Codes to simplify the approval process and requirements for converting existing office buildings into housing. Second, it removes restrictions to allow for a greater variety of businesses and activities in Union Square and throughout Downtown.  

As part of the Mayor’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, this legislation is a key step in San Francisco’s strategy to diversify building use and create more opportunities to fill empty spaces in the Downtown and Union Square areas.  

“The challenges facing Downtown require us to imagine what is possible and create the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future,” said Mayor London Breed. “Working with President Peskin and the Board, we can create more opportunities to fill our empty buildings, whether that’s to create housing or making it easier to fill office and retail space. These changes shouldn’t be something that requires granting exceptions through lengthy paperwork and exhaustive public hearings. We need to make the process easier for getting our buildings active and full.” 

“This legislation is an example of the executive and legislative branches coming together to create an intentional incentive program that has the potential to reimagine and reinvigorate our Downtown,” said Board President Aaron Peskin. “Crafting and passing this legislation is only half the battle. Working with and making connections amongst a wide array of stakeholders from building owners to small businesses to arts organizations in order to realize these goals and ensuring these tools are user-friendly is our next big challenge.” 

Paving the Way for Housing

A primary component of the legislation is to encourage housing production Downtown through commercial-to-residential conversions, while ensuring enough office space remains to serve San Francisco’s concentration of job-supporting businesses. Although Downtown zoning already allows for housing, the legislation advances a range of code adjustments to slash barriers that may hamper the conversion of underutilized downtown office buildings to housing – and that could unlock thousands of new housing units over time.  

The legislation provides much needed flexibility for the re-use of older office buildings by relaxing Planning Code requirement like rear yards, that don’t make sense for conversions of existing buildings in our dense, downtown core.  The legislation will also provide for alternative paths to Building and Fire Code compliance for adaptive reuse projects that would otherwise struggle to meet requirements designed for new ground-up construction projects. 

Allowing More Flexibility in Union Square

This legislation incudes targeted zoning changes to allow additional flexibility for new and diversified uses and activities in Union Square. Responding to both the pre-pandemic impacts of online shopping and to post-pandemic shifts in the retail industry, the legislation allows a wider range of uses to better activate streets and buildings. On upper floors, that includes allowing for additional office, service, design and retail uses; and on ground floors allowing for indoor and outdoor entertainment, flexible retail workspaces, and larger retailers that will make the area more attractive for businesses, employees, and visitors alike.  

“Recent retail closures are very disheartening and highlight the importance of legislation like this that meets the critical needs of a time when the entire retail landscape has changed nationwide,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “We welcome the Planning Commission’s endorsement today of this package of critical zoning changes in Union Square and the greater downtown that are forward looking, realistic and obtainable if we all work together in earnest. Collectively we can meet this moment and turn our city on an immediate path towards a healthy and sustainable rebound.”

Reducing Barriers and Supporting Pop-Up Activations

The legislation also builds on Mayor Breed’s priority to reduce bureaucratic processes with changes to many of the procedures and special approvals required for Downtown development. Specifically, the legislation allows for a greater variety of ground floor and other uses, provides for the re-use of longstanding business signage, and allows City staff to review minor changes to historic buildings administratively without a public hearing. 

The legislation would also broaden the types of temporary pop-up activations that can take place in vacant ground floor spaces throughout Downtown, supporting a key goal of the Mayor’s Roadmap to support entrepreneurs, artists, and other ventures in bringing new energy to vacant storefronts that will serve to enliven the overall Downtown experience.  

“Downtown’s future is San Francisco’s future,” said Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. “This proposal to make housing conversions easier and downtown zoning more flexible is an important step in charting San Francisco’s path to a reimagined downtown where resident, visitors, and workers all want to spend time.”

“As a City we need to be doing everything we can to invite creative uses and new activities to our Downtown buildings and storefronts and support our longtime businesses by drawing more foot traffic and visitors,” said Kate Sofis, Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “This legislation opens up so many possibilities and is an important step in realizing the Mayor’s vision for the future of Downtown as a vibrant and active destination.”

Following extensive work by City staff and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, the approved legislation by the Planning Commission will next be heard by the Building Inspection Commission on May 17, 2023 before proceeding to the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors soon thereafter.  

“We’re updating the downtown playbook,” said Planning Director Rich Hillis. “Clearing the way for office conversions represents an important new tool to promote a vibrant downtown. While not flashy, these critical roll-up-your-sleeves technical improvements will help keep our downtown engine running.”

“San Francisco has a history of adapting and evolving to meet our most pressing challenges,” said Patrick O’Riordan, Director of the Department of Building Inspection. “Reconfiguring downtown buildings to the needs of today will require all of us to be creative, thoughtful and resourceful, and I’m absolutely confident we’re up to the task.”

City staff across departments continue to work on further process and zoning improvements to make it easier for businesses to start and expand, housing developments to get off the ground, and to welcome new industries and uses in existing underutilized office spaces.

The legislation is part of Mayor Breed’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, a comprehensive plan to reinvigorate Downtown and reposition San Francisco as the Bay Area’s economic hub and a global anchor for commerce. The Roadmap includes nine strategies to respond to emerging economic trends and capitalize on the City’s strengths to keep Downtown vibrant, focusing on key priorities such as offering a clean and safe environment, fostering a resilient workforce, strengthening transportation, and attracting new industries.   

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media contact: 
DP&A, Inc / David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

#WeAreStaying

Union Square Alliance Pushes Back Against Negative Narrative

3 May 2023 San Francisco, CA:  Bad news gets “clicks”, but good news gets things done.

“There’s a lot more good news than bad news in Union Square and our members are stepping up to say so,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO for the Union Square Alliance. “Union Square and all our partners are meeting this moment, but we need help. We need tomorrow’s meeting at the planning commission to provide us the flexible zoning we need to support business and attract visitors back downtown.”

Rodriguez’s pragmatic optimism is given proof by increased tourism, newly opened retail outlets in the district, and the popularity of last month’s American Tulip Day which brought over tens of thousands of people to the Square to take home free tulips. Also, Union Square Alliance members are stepping up to make the point, and putting it in a hashtag: #WeAreStaying.

“For over 160 years Gump’s has surprised and delighted customers with beauty, elegance, a dash of whimsy — and always the unexpected,” said Marc Capalbo, VP Retail Operations. “San Francisco’s premier destination for the very best in home décor, jewelry and gifts is committed to this tradition. We invite you to visit us at 250 Post Street in beautiful Union Square today!”

“This year CK Contemporary Gallery celebrates our 10th anniversary in Union Square, and we are as committed as ever to brick-and-mortar in the district,” said Lauren Ellis, Director and Partner for CK.  “We are excited about the momentum that has been building in the neighborhood as we navigate out of the past few challenging years.  The work that has been done by the Union Square Alliance, as outlined by their comprehensive strategic plan, gives me tremendous hope and optimism for our future here.  I’ve observed the district band together through events like Bloom and have witnessed the resiliency of those businesses that believe in the future of San Francisco and Union Square.  As a small local business, we are essential to the unique fabric of Union Square and the rich history of arts and culture in San Francisco as a whole and it is our intention to support the district, loyally serve our local clients, and cater to the tourists we see return to our streets every day.”

“Samuel Scheuer has been a staple for many clients in San Francisco particularly Union Square since 1935,” said manager Taylor Enstall. “We love Union Square,we love this city and do not plan on going anywhere!”

“Beacon Grand, formerly the Sir Francis Drake, has been providing unparalleled hospitality in Union Square since 1928, and were thrilled to reopen in June of 2022 after an extensive renovation,” said Sebastien Pfeiffer, Managing Director. “We look forward to welcoming Bay Area residents to eat, drink, and stay local for years to come.”

“Britex has been a Union Square anchor for 71 years. We’re not going anywhere,” said store manager Dina Fayer.  “Come on down and shop local.”

“Moment Improv Theatre has been inspiring creativity and fostering connections in the city for years,” said Artistic Director Marcus Sams. “Although our physical location has changed, our unwavering dedication to long-form improv and community remains undeterred. Together, we’ll rise again to ensure the artistic heartbeat of Union Square continues to thrive.”

“John’s Grill has been in San Francisco’s Union Square for 115 years,” said John Konstin, owner of John’s Grill.” We have seen earthquakes, tech bubbles, world wars, and pandemics. We have withstood it all, and have always come back stronger. That’s what we are going to do now as well. We are not going anywhere, please stop by and enjoy our world-famous lamb chops.” 

On point for the spring and summer is a major initiative to drive traffic to Union Square. For the next several weeks, dozens of area businesses are planting the seeds for a floral explosion culminating Mother’s Day weekend. On Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14 (1pm–4pm) the Union Square stage will feature local Salsa music performers and dancers, plus opportunities for dancing in the plaza in a florally transformed space.

Also launching on Mother’s Day weekend is unique Union Square in Bloom passports, encouraging visitors to explore the floral displays, and visit shops and restaurants. The Activity Passport includes a family-friendly adventure of discovery, floral education, and interactive games. The “Bloom + Bubbles” Passport showcases floral-inspired beverages at local hotels, restaurants, and bars. 

Local businesses and community partners taking part in the Union Square in Bloom by installing floral décor at their entrances or interiors, along with blooms in public spaces include:  A.C.T ▪ Axiom Hotel ▪ Bus Stop by Macy’s ▪ Beacon Grand ▪ Canterbury Hotel ▪ Chancellor ▪ CK Contemporary ▪ Garden Party SF ▪ Grand Hyatt ▪ Handlery Hotel ▪ Herbert Hotel ▪ Hilton/Parc55 ▪ King George Hotel ▪ Maiden Lane ▪ Mastro’s Steakhouse ▪ Neiman Marcus Rotunda ▪ New Delhi Restaurant ▪ Union Square Inn ▪ Scheuer Linen ▪ SFO United Lounge ▪ Stratford Hotel ▪ TAJ Campton ▪ The Barnes ▪ The Donatello Hotel ▪ Westin St. Francis ▪ Union Square Alliance Building ▪ Union Square Plaza Stage

Participants in the “Bloom + Beverage” Program and other special offers are:  Beacon Grand ▪ E&O Kitchen and Bar ▪ Harlan Records ▪ Hawthorn ▪ Hilton – CityScape ▪ Iron Horse Cocktails ▪ Macy’s Wine Bar ▪ New Dehli Restaurant ▪ Parc 55 – Cable 55 ▪ Sam’s Cable Car Lounge ▪ Sool Bar & Lounge Food Program ▪ E&O Kitchen ▪ The Barnes ▪ The Westin St. Francis’ Clock Bar, and Zingari Restaurant and Bar.

Room in Bloom Hotel Packages – Select district hotels, including the historic Westin St. Francis and the newly renovated Barnes Hotel, offer ‘Room in Bloom’ packages featuring a seasonal bouquet upon arrival.

Sponsors for the 2^nd Annual Union Square in Bloom include Macys and United Airlines.

“Union Square is bursting in beauty and excitement,” said Rodriguez. “Whether it’s a bloom trail guide for youth, floral fashion shows for the adults, or special ‘staycation’ hotel packages for the whole family, Union Square will be the place to celebrate the beauty and diversity of San Francisco this spring and summer.”

As Union Square in Bloom specific events, additional sponsors and programs are added, updated information will be available online at www.visitunionsquaresf.com. 

About the Union Square Alliance:
The Union Square Alliance serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the District’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors come to enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is generally bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and on the west Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go to www.visitunionsquaresf.com

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Media Contact:
DP&A, Inc / David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

The Hotel Council of San Francisco Honors “Hotel Heroes”

Annual Awards Thursday, April 27 at Hilton San Francisco Union Square Attended by Sell Out Crowd Including City & Industry Leaders

www.hotelcouncilsf.org

3 May 2023 – San Francisco, CA: The Hilton San Francisco Union Square was all smiles Thursday evening April 27 as the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) honored its own at the 18th Annual Hotel Hero Awards Gala celebrating the City’s hospitality industry. It was the first fully in-person celebration since the onset of COVID.

“It was heartwarming to bring back this event in-person and celebrate the heroes of our hospitality community who make our hotels and our city truly unparalleled,” said Alex Bastian, Hotel Council President and CEO. “San Francisco is bouncing back, strong, and tourism is leading the way with our industry’s finest at the helm.”

In addition to the honorees and a sell-out crowd of hospitality professionals, in attendance were San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, SFPD Chief Bill Scott and Deputy Chief David Lazar, City Attorney David Chiu, SF Chamber of Commerce CEO Rodney Fong, SF Travel CEO Joe D’Alessandro and Union Square Alliance CEO Marisa Rodriguez among other tourism friends and boosters. Emcee for the evening was award winning KTVU reporter and anchor Christien Kafton.

Sponsors for this year’s Hotel Hero Awards included: United Airlines, Big Bus, Visit California, SF Travel, San Francisco Parks & Rec, HD Supply, Alto Rideshare and RNDC.

Established in 2003, the Hotel Hero awards were created to pay tribute to the people who dedicate their lives to the hospitality industry. As the largest industry in San Francisco, hotels and tourism directly impact the success of many businesses throughout San Francisco, supporting over 86,000 jobs.

Below is the list of this year’s honorees.

• Good Samaritan Award Nico Moore of Hyatt Regency San Francisco
• Beyond the Call of Duty (300 Rooms or Less)
  Yuko Okumoto, Four Seasons San Francisco
• Beyond the Call of Duty (301 Rooms or More)William “Bill” Sutton, InterContinental San Francisco
• Unsung Hero (300 Rooms or Less)
  Chen-Chih Lin, St. Regis
• Unsung Hero (301 Rooms or More)
  Michael Wilson, Parc 55
• Rising StarJoey Tran, Galleria Park Hotel
• Werner Lewin Lifetime Achievement, Operations
  Oscar Cruz, Hilton San Francisco Union Square
• Lifetime Achievement, Department Manager
  Daniela Puccinelli, The Westin St. Francis
• Bob Begley Lifetime Achievement, Hotel Executive
  Terry Lewis, Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55
• Sustainability
  Presidio Lodging
• Community SpiritHotel Nikko

About the Hotel Council of San Francisco:
The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. Their membership roster includes over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations. The Hotel Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support the growth and success of the industry.

Media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

SF Pride’s Suzanne Ford is Honorary Starter for Zappos Bay to Breakers

Transgender Leader “Proud to Run” for LGBTQ+ Community

112th Annual Event Takes Place Sunday, May 21, 2023

2 May 2023 — San Francisco, CA: For the first time in the storied history of San Francisco’s oldest and most iconic event, Zappos Bay to Breakers (www.baytobreakers.com), the honorary starter for the race on May 21 is a member of the Transgender Community, SF Pride (www.sfpride.org), Executive Director Suzanne Ford.

“I’m proud to run,” said Ford, herself an accomplished runner. “Bay to Breakers represents the celebration of diversity that makes San Francisco San Francisco. Here we don’t run away from our challenges, we rush forward to meet them head on.”

Ford, who assumed full time leadership of SF Pride last year, is the nonprofit organization’s first transgender head. This year’s Pride Celebration takes place June 24 and 25. Its theme is LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD.

“In one sense, Suzanne is just one of our several thousand runners, said Kyle Meyers, CEO of Silverback (www.gosilverback.com), producers for this year’s race along with Motiv Sports. “However, her participation is about much more than being a good sport. She represents everything that Bay to Breakers represents: a true reflection of the creativity, resilience and community that make San Francisco so special.”

Silverback is a San Francisco based production agency with expertise in large scale event production, permitting, logistics, course and venue management, touring productions, custom fabrication, brand activations and equipment rentals.  

In October 2022, Motiv Sports acquired Bay to Breakers from Capstone Event Group and entered into a partnership with Silverback to grow and operate the San Francisco event.  Bay to Breakers has been a staple in the City since 1912.

Zappos Bay to Breakers, like San Francisco, is open to everyone. Participants of all ages and abilities, and oftentimes in costume, line up on Howard Street a few blocks from The Embarcadero on the third Sunday in May (May 21, 2023). The course travels west through the City for 12 kilometers and finishes at the Great Highway, where the breakers crash into Ocean Beach. It truly is a time-honored tradition and the quintessential San Francisco experience.

Based in California, Motiv Sports produces iconic community events in destinations across the United States. Motiv Sports operates the Golden State Run Series, which features a total of eight distinctive running events in California including Bay to Breakers and the Golden Gate Half Marathon in San Francisco. For more information about the Golden State Run Series events, visit www.goldenstaterunseries.com

About Suzanne Ford:

Following a rewarding sales career in the private sector, Ford served as a board member for approximately five years, acting as treasurer for three of those years. She co-founded SF Pride’s Pro-Am Golf Tournament Fundraiser, the world’s first and currently only PGA-endorsed LGBTQ+ golf event, which has raised more than $200,000 over the past four years.

Ford was honored with the Legacy Award, Celebrating Trans Joy, TDOV (Trans Day of Visibility) in March of 2022. In addition to numerous accolades for raising awareness of the work that is needed to save and honor trans lives, she has also been recognized for her professional career — when she was profiled as one of the “Women Breaking The Mold” in the packaging industry by Plastic News.

Ford continues to build upon her professional and community sustaining success. Just a few short months after assuming the role of interim executive director in 2022, she was instrumental in coordinating the first in-person SF Pride Parade and Celebration since 2019.

About SF Pride:

The San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to produce the SF Pride Celebration and Parade. The mission of the organization is to educate the world on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as commemorate the heritage, celebrate the culture and liberate the people of all LGBTQ+ communities. A world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $3 million dollars in proceeds to local non-profit LGBTQ+ organizations and organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, housing rights and animal welfare.

To learn more about Bay to Breakers or sign up for the fun go www.baytobreakers.com