Letter from MCA President, John G. MillarDear MCA Members,
I would like to thank those members who took the time to attend our General Meeting on Tuesday, June 1, as well as those that have shared their thoughts in person or through email. The proposal to convert the King Edward II Inn on the corner of Scott and Lombard Streets to a housing project for Transitional Age Youth presents a challenge to our organization and our neighborhood. Our members overwhelmingly support the efforts to provide housing for at-risk young adults and recognize that some form of low-income housing would be appropriate in District 2. Both Larkin Street Youth Services and the Community Housing Partnership are reputable organizations which many of us support with our time and money. I appreciate their willingness to attend our meeting to discuss their involvement in this project and trust that as an organization, we provided a fair and open-minded forum. Unfortunately, from it's inception, many aspects of this proposal are deeply flawed. The efforts by the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) to implement the project without public input is by itself sufficient cause for concern. The fact that MOH has continued on this course despite the growing public outcry is irresponsible. Financially, this effort makes little sense and suggests that there is more at stake than low-income housing. The initial Notice of Funding Available was originally for $2 million, but was subsequently raised to $4.5 million at the recommendation of MOH. Through a convoluted process of refinancing, creating a Limited Partnership, and applying tax credits, the total cost of the project approaches $9.5 million; an amount that will supposedly be financed by a combination of State and Federal sources. Clearly a project of this magnitude should be subjected to public scrutiny and a detailed disclosure of the financial beneficiaries. Many operational details of the proposed facility are also lacking. The parcel itself must be re-zoned to accommodate the proposed 25 units, rather than the 16 units that would be covered under existing zoning limitations. Is there a legitimate reason these residents are not afforded the same overcrowding protections provided to the rest of the neighborhood? More importantly, how will a single resident manager effectively oversee 24 young adults? Although the proposal expects to receive Federal financing, there seems to be little concern that even after substantial reconstruction, the King Edward II Inn would only have one unit that is ADA compliant. Again, shouldn't the same protections we apply to the general population be afforded to at-risk youth? Issues like these need to be examined in detail before this project commences. After extensive deliberation, and a genuine effort to understand the intricate details of this proposal, we find that there are still numerous unanswered questions and potential pitfalls. Therefore, the Marina Community Association will join other neighborhood and merchant groups in opposing the proposal by MOH to convert the King Edward II Inn to housing for Transitional Age Youth. We've asked Mayor Newsom to withhold his signature from the loan approval document, and to direct MOH to conduct a much more extensive examination of projects that will benefit at-risk adults. A process that by necessity, must engage the local community. We encourage our members to express their views, both pro and con, directly to those agencies involved in this decision. Please send email to: Mayor Gavin Newsom - gavin.newsom@sfgov.org Mayor's Office of Housing - douglas.shoemaker@sfgov.org Supervisor Alioto-Pier - michela.alioto-pier@sfgov.org Marina Community Association - info@sfmca.org Please continue to visit our website regularly for updates on this project, and other activities of the Marina Community Association. Kind Regards, John John G. Millar President, Marina Community Association |
Marina in the NewsHere are some recent updates and news articles regarding the Edward II Housing Project:
June 20, 2010 - The Mayor’s Office of Housing has determined that this proposal will have no significant impact on the human environment
June 20, 2010 - Environmental Assessment for HUD-funded Proposals
June 18, 2010- Bay Citizen and New York Times
June 11, 2010 - Letter from Supervisor Alioto-Pier to Mayor Newsom re: Edward II
June 10, 2010 - SF Chronicle Marina post-foster housing idea is worthy cause
June 5, 2010 - SF Examiner Marina group urges residents to oppose transitional house
April 30, 2010 - SF Examiner Marina Housing Irks Community
Note: The MCA does not endorse or necessarily agree with the positions taken in these articles.
|
The Marina District is that area of San Francisco bounded on the West by Lyon, including those parcels fronting Lyon, on the South by Lombard and Richardson, but not including those parcels fronting Lombard or Richardson, on the East by Van Ness, but not including those parcels fronting Van Ness and on the North by Marina, including those parcels fronting Marina. For more information please contact us at members@sfmca.org. 