WHAT DOES THE MARKET STREET ASSOCIATION DO?

Following is a partial list of the projects and tasks that the Market Street Association has undertaken and continues to be involved in on behalf of its members.  An asterisk indicates that the project was initiated by Market Street Association.

PROJECTS

• San Francisco Rising: 1906 Centennial- Mayor's Committee to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.

Market Street Association will help coordinate events that will be happening on Market Street.  MSA may also produce a special presentatin of a mock trial based on the actions of the famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso, who was a guest at the Palace Hotel on Market Street on April 18, 1906.

·         * Mid- Market Redevelopment Project

In 1994, Market Street Association brought property owners in Mid-Market together for a series of breakfast meetings.  Out of those meetings came the Mid-Market Redevelopment Survey Area and the pending Mid-Market Redevelopment Project Area.  The Plan was recently approved by the Redevelopment Commission, and we hope for plan adoption early 2006. (Ongoing).

·         * Central Market Community Benefits District

Staff has been working for more than a year on mobilizing members, raising money, working with the consultant and facilitating the steering committee for this project, which is now in the formation phase. The final approval by the voters is anticipated in late 2006, with the first services under the District to be provided by the beginning of 2007. (Ongoing).

·         *Steam Cleaning 5^th  to 8^th Streets

Conducted a series of meetings on mid Market Street and went door to door explaining the program.  Accompanied cleaning vendor to measure each proposed participating property. Set up payment schedule for participating properties. The program is now in its’ 5^th year. Approximately 16 buildings participate. Administration and accounting are done in-house. (Ongoing).

·         *Café in Hallidie Plaza

Market Street Association virtually pioneered the concept of a City property being leased to a private vendor.  This was a long, arduous, and frustrating project.  It took many months of work and many meetings with various City departments to reach agreement on the vendor that is leasing the space today. 

·         *United Nations Plaza Farmers Market

Staff monitors weekly Farmer’s Market at United Nations Plaza, working with City agencies as needed.  This market was conceived and initiated by MSA and two other community groups. (Ongoing).

·         *United Nations Plaza Imports and Collectibles Market

MSA also started this market.  Work included recruiting a vendor, working with Rec and Park and the City Attorney’s office to create the proper permit, and working with all City agencies to insure the smooth running of the Market.  The Market currently is operating three days a week. Staff continues spot checks with vendor on a regular basis.  (Ongoing).

·         *People in Plazas Free Summer Concert Series

This year MSA produced 95 concerts on or near Market Street. MSA raises funding, auditions and schedules performers, and manages all aspects of the program.  The program provides low cost outdoor enhancements to members’ building plazas as well as contributes to the overall social and economic health of the downtown Market Street area.  In addition, Market Street Association members enjoy a reputation as a group that contributes to the well being of the workers and visitors to the area, as well as the residents of San Francisco, through these free public concerts. Emcees at each event give MSA credit and all press and printed materials publicize MSA. Administration and accounting are done by staff.

Market Street Association set up a separate 501c3 corporation, MSA People In Plazas, to expand our financing options through grants, have the ability to act as a fiscal agent, and produce public events outside the boundaries of the Market Street Association. This vehicle may also serve as the non-profit corporation for the Central Market CBD.  (Ongoing).

·         Red Ink Studios on Market Street

One of the main goals of the Mid-Market Redevelopment Plan is to create an arts and cultural district in Mid-Market. Towards that end, MSA has been involved with the curators of the Red Ink Studios on Market Street. MSA participated in a documentary featuring Red Ink Studios discussing their contribution to the Mid-Market area. There are currently three galleries in operation on Market Street.(Ongoing).

ADVOCACY

·         Forest City Development/Westfield Shopping Center (Emporium Project)

Attend press conferences, meet with developers, maintain communication with project leaders, testify in City Hall in front of appropriate government committees and Planning Dept. (Ongoing).

·         Hunter Development Project – 690 Market Street & 942 Market Street

Met with developers. Testified for project approval at City committees and Planning Department. 

·         Group 1  83 McAllister Street

Met with developers. Testified for project approval at City committees and Planning Department.

COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT

·         Mayor’s United Nations Plaza Working Group

Mayor Brown appointed a working group to select the preferred alternative for a $900,000 transportation grant from the Federal Government. The funding was for improvements to United Nation Plazas.  MSA chaired that group.  

·         Mid-Market Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee

Once the Redevelopment process began, a Citizens Advisory Committee was formed.  MSA held a seat on this committee and was elected as Chair. MSA facilitated the meetings, recorded the minutes, voiced Market Street concerns and was a guiding force in the process.

·         Mid-Market Redevelopment Project Area Committee

After the Citizens Advisory Committee completed an initial plan for the Mid-Market area, a Project Area Committee was elected to implement the Plan by obtaining approvals to designate the Mid-Market survey area a Redevelopment Project Area. MSA holds a seat on this committee and serves as Vice-Chair. MSA also administrates the work of the PAC which entails setting up meetings, writing, printing and distributing minutes, attending and taking notes at Project Committee meetings, attending City hearings, conducting outreach to the north and south of the project area boundaries, maintaining  media contacts, recruiting new members, writing newsletters, maintaining a history of the project, and  meeting with the Mayor’s Office and City Officials to update them on the process. MSA has a consulting contract with the Redevelopment Agency for this work.  The contract is for $80,000 a year. (Ongoing).

·         Old Mint Reuse Committee

MSA held a seat on a Mayor’s appointed committee.  The committee reviewed the Request For Proposals process, reviewed and commented on standards and covenants, interviewed possible development candidates and selected the developer for the reuse of the Old Mint.

·         News Rack Committee

Since 1991 MSA has been a driving force in the establishment of standardized news racks on Market Street.  This has involved attending more than 100 meetings over the years and making sure that Market Street was well represented.  (Ongoing).

·         Third Street Light Rail CAG

The Third Street light rail phase II will have a central subway component which will affect Market Street for years to come.  MSA has participated on the Citizen’s Advisory Group for this project, as a Mayor’s Office appointed member, for ten years. (Ongoing).

·         Central Freeway CAC

Market Street Association was appointed to the Citizen’s committee responsible for a monitoring all aspects of the removal of the freeway ramp over Market Street and subsequent auto and pedestrian traffic issues. (Ongoing).

·         Hallidie Plaza Renovation

Several years ago MSA participated in a six month series of workshops regarding improvements to Hallidie Plaza held by the SF Planning Dept.  More recently, MSA staff participated in a Hallidie Plaza Re-design charette held by stakeholders in the area, including City agencies.

·         Civic Center Renovation

MSA participated in the recent workshops for community input into Civic Center renovation. MSA has worked for the past several years with Civic Pride, an organization dedicated to the improvement and renovation of the Civic Center.

·         Waterfront Committee

MSA was appointed as a member of the committee to guide the City on the re-design of the Ferry Plaza.

·         Market Street Transportation Safety Task Force

MSA was an active member of this task force which was formed to study possible mitigations to traffic problems on Market Street. Some early action implementations that have been completed are: pedestrian countdown timers, bicycle lanes between Octavia and Van Ness, creation of a new Market Street Parking Control Officers beat. Other projects expected to be completed with one year are: relocation of traffic signals to reduce the incidence of auto encroachment into the crosswalk, restriping crosswalks, improving wayfinding, directional and advisory signage for motorists, developing and implementing a new transit lane symbol, and striping advance limit lines at selected locations. The mitigation measures are planned for short-term (1 to 2 years), mid-term (2 to 5 years) and Other (1 to 5+ years) phases stretching out to 2010.  (Ongoing).

COMMUNITY GROUP INVOLVEMENT

·         Nordstrom’s Market Street Business Group

Group assembled by Nordstrom to deal with issues specific to the 5^th and Market Street area. These issues range from abandoned cars to assisting local non-profits in the area.  (Ongoing).

·         Tenderloin Futures Collaborative Group

Monthly meeting of stakeholders on the north of Market Street. Focus on planning and development in the area. (Ongoing).

·         Focus on United Nations Plaza

Groups met for several years addressing issues in UN Plaza.  From this came the Collectibles Market, which enlivens the plaza three times a week, and a $900,000 grant for pedestrian lighting, signage and other improvements.

·         *Focus on Lower Market Street

A working group that addressed issues on Market Street from the Ferry Building to Third Street. Group met for over the course of a year.

·         Tenants Association Coalition

MSA often is asked to present various MSA activities to this North of Market tenants group.  This involvement is part of MSA’s policy of acting as a good neighbor and maintaining relationships to adjacent areas. (Ongoing).

·         South of Market Leadership Council

MSA is a regular participant is this well regarded group.  Their focus is on planning for the South of Market.  They also monitor carefully what happens on Market Street. (Ongoing).

·         Southern Police Station Community Meetings

Sponsored by the SFPD, MSA regularly attends this forum to discuss and listen to  neighborhood issues dealing with crime, drug activity, graffiti, homelessness and substance abuse. The forum also is a vehicle to discuss upcoming events, planned demonstrations and celebrations. (Ongoing).

EVENTS

·         Holiday Safe Shopping/Transportation

Yearly  kick-off event for the Holidays.  Focus is on parking and safe shopping.  The event includes remarks by MSA Executive Director.

·         San Francisco’s Great Sweep – Market Street

Citywide clean-up under Mayor Willie Brown.  MSA helped coordinate kick-off and provided volunteer sweepers and musicians.

·         San Francisco’s Clean Sweep – Market Street

MSA publicizes and helps with kick-off events for this Citywide clean-up, which is organized under Mayor Newsom.   (Ongoing).

·         DPW Parade

Annual DPW parade down Market Street co-produced by MSA and DPW during the Brown administration.

·         6^th  / Market  Street Fair

MSA is a committee member for this annual community fair.  This fair brings positive activity to the 6^th and Market Street intersection.  It also establishes MSA as a good neighbor in the South of Market community. (Ongoing).

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

·         Removal of Private Autos from Market Street

Conducted successful campaigns to stop these various proposals. We expect this proposal, or a form of it to be resurrected. (Ongoing).

·         Alcohol Ban in Parks

Worked with Supervisor Amos Brown to add UN Plaza to the list of parks where alcohol is prohibited. Also added limited park use hours.

·         Candidates Forums

Held a candidates forum for District 6 Supervisorial election. In addition staff attended or participated in forums held by other community groups.

·         Fees for Outdoor Tables and Chairs

Worked with the Dept. of Public Works to establish fees for outdoor dining.

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS

·         Market Street Association Website

Market Street staff developed the Association’s website (www.MarketStreet.CitySearch.com) as a resource for its members.  In addition to providing information about the ongoing work and membership of Market Street Association, the site lists contact information for key City services and government officials.  The site is continually updated to give members the most current information available.  

·         Print Media

In the past five years Market Street Association staff has been in the print media fifty-five times. Nearly once a month MSA staff either is contacted by the press for an interview or encourages press members to write articles on Market Street issues.  In addition, staff is frequently successful in getting its own letters published to further the efforts of the Association.  The Market Street Association has been featured in the Business Times, Examiner, Chronicle, Independent, New York Times, and Central City Extra.  The following were among the diverse topics addressed which affect Market Street:

            United Nations Plaza

            Civic Center

            Mid Market

            Mid Market Strip Clubs

            Boomingdale’s

            Emporium project

            Farmer’s Market

            Old Market Street

            Old Mint

            Hibernia Bank

            Drug Dealing

            Homelessness

            937 Market Street Development

            Power Blackout

            St. Francis Theater

            Music on Market Street

            Hallidie Plaza

            Arts Credit Program for Development

            Westfield Mall

            Market Street Community Benefits District

            Pedestal Mount New Racks

·         TV/Radio

Market Street Association staff has provided the following interviews:

            “Commonwealth Club Panel on the Arts” - Broadcast on KQED radio  (2005)

            “UN Plaza Revitalization “ - Broadcast on KALW radio   (2004)

            “UN Plaza” – TV Channels 4& 7 (2004)

            “The State of Market Street” – TV Channel 7 (2004)

            “Mid-Market Redevelopment Project” -

            San Francisco/unscripted with Arthur Bruzzone - TV Channel 11

·         Public Speaking

MSA staff members have represented the Association on many occasions as panelists for both SPUR and BOMA programs dealing with subjects ranging from Mid-Market Redevelopment to transportation issues.