The Standard Staff

Since we <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1347334938463334400?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched</a> in January, we’ve reported stories that matter to San Francisco, from <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-school-board-recall-meet-team-parents-founders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">profiles</a> on local activists to coverage of anti-Asian <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-response-to-anti-asian-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hate crimes</a> in the Bay Area. Now, we’re going deeper on something that’s core to our mission—breaking down the news. That’s why we’re teaming up with <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Comment</a>, a local online outlet covering San Francisco’s economy and politics.&nbsp;

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Since we <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1347334938463334400?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched</a> in January, we’ve reported stories that matter to San Francisco, from <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-school-board-recall-meet-team-parents-founders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">profiles</a> on local activists to coverage of anti-Asian <a href="https://sfstandard.com/san-francisco-response-to-anti-asian-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hate crimes</a> in the Bay Area. Now, we’re going deeper on something that’s core to our mission—breaking down the news. That’s why we’re teaming up with <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Comment</a>, a local online outlet covering San Francisco’s economy and politics.&nbsp;

At Here/Say Media, we aim to reimagine local journalism while rigorously upholding standards of objectivity, accuracy and integrity. <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnieGaus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annie Gaus</a>, Public Comment’s founder and editor, has been a fierce advocate for those same values since she founded Public Comment in the summer of 2020, as well as throughout her career writing for outlets like the San Francisco Business Times, TheStreet, The Guardian and others. We look forward to working closely with Annie to expand and deepen our coverage of the issues San Franciscans face today. Starting this week, you can expect to see more of Public Comment’s coverage appear on Here/Say, and over the next few months, Public Comment will transition into a new source for breaking news and in-depth reporting at Here/Say.

At Here/Say Media, we aim to reimagine local journalism while rigorously upholding standards of objectivity, accuracy and integrity. <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnieGaus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annie Gaus</a>, Public Comment’s founder and editor, has been a fierce advocate for those same values since she founded Public Comment in the summer of 2020, as well as throughout her career writing for outlets like the San Francisco Business Times, TheStreet, The Guardian and others. We look forward to working closely with Annie to expand and deepen our coverage of the issues San Franciscans face today. Starting this week, you can expect to see more of Public Comment’s coverage appear on Here/Say, and over the next few months, Public Comment will transition into a new source for breaking news and in-depth reporting at Here/Say.

In case you just started following along, here’s a little more about us:

In case you just started following along, here’s a little more about us:

Founded as a division of Civic Action Labs, Here/Say Media’s growing team of journalists includes <a href="https://twitter.com/Meaghan_M" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meaghan Mitchell</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jesse Rogala</a>, San Francisco natives who reported for Hoodline and Fortune Magazine, respectively, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristinaJCampo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christina Campodonico</a>, from The Argonaut in Los Angeles, and <a href="https://twitter.com/stbearman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Bearman</a>, who comes to us from CNBC in New York. Our mission is to make local news accessible to everyone: We’ll <a href="https://sfstandard.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keep you informed</a>, uncover <a href="https://sfstandard.com/godfather-of-skate-david-miles-san-francisco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inspiring stories from our neighborhoods and communities</a>, and go deeper to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/chinatown-vaccine-rollout-lagging-rest-of-san-francisco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">break down the trends shaping our city’s future</a>. Alongside our expansion with Public Comment, Here/Say is spinning off into an independent, for-profit organization.

Founded as a division of Civic Action Labs, Here/Say Media’s growing team of journalists includes <a href="https://twitter.com/Meaghan_M" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meaghan Mitchell</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseRogala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jesse Rogala</a>, San Francisco natives who reported for Hoodline and Fortune Magazine, respectively, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristinaJCampo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christina Campodonico</a>, from The Argonaut in Los Angeles, and <a href="https://twitter.com/stbearman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Bearman</a>, who comes to us from CNBC in New York. Our mission is to make local news accessible to everyone: We’ll <a href="https://sfstandard.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keep you informed</a>, uncover <a href="https://sfstandard.com/godfather-of-skate-david-miles-san-francisco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inspiring stories from our neighborhoods and communities</a>, and go deeper to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/chinatown-vaccine-rollout-lagging-rest-of-san-francisco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">break down the trends shaping our city’s future</a>. Alongside our expansion with Public Comment, Here/Say is spinning off into an independent, for-profit organization.

We’d love for you to be part of helping us grow. Drop us a note if you:

We’d love for you to be part of helping us grow. Drop us a note if you:

<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Are interested in our <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/heresaymedia/jobs/?viewAsMember=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">job openings</a></li><li>Have a story idea for us</li><li>Think we could be doing better</li><li>Are curious about any local issue</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Are interested in our <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/heresaymedia/jobs/?viewAsMember=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">job openings</a></li><li>Have a story idea for us</li><li>Think we could be doing better</li><li>Are curious about any local issue</li></ul>

We hope you’ll reach out and start a conversation. Local news is only as good as the community we cultivate with it.

We hope you’ll reach out and start a conversation. Local news is only as good as the community we cultivate with it.

Here/Say Media joining with Public Comment

Annie Gaus

In response to a planned reopening of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic, a number of residents are pushing back and issuing last-minute appeals to the city to stop or delay the change.&nbsp;

In response to a planned reopening of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic, a number of residents are pushing back and issuing last-minute appeals to the city to stop or delay the change.&nbsp;

Last week, Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Gordon Mar <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1423429560910057480?s=20">announced</a> that a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway, which has been <a href="https://sfstandard.com/great-highway-closure-climate-change-erosion/">closed to cars</a> since April 2020, will reopen to vehicle traffic on weekdays starting Aug. 16. The plan was characterized by Mar as a “meaningful compromise” between residents who disagreed over whether the Great Highway should remain a pedestrian promenade permanently.&nbsp;

Last week, Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Gordon Mar <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1423429560910057480?s=20">announced</a> that a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway, which has been <a href="https://sfstandard.com/great-highway-closure-climate-change-erosion/">closed to cars</a> since April 2020, will reopen to vehicle traffic on weekdays starting Aug. 16. The plan was characterized by Mar as a “meaningful compromise” between residents who disagreed over whether the Great Highway should remain a pedestrian promenade permanently.&nbsp;

“The timeline here has been very short—the mayor announced on Thursday, Aug. 5 that the&nbsp; Great Highway was going to turn from a park into a driving place on Aug. 16,” said Brian Coyne, a resident who supports a permanent closure of the Great Highway. “Anyone who follows city projects knows that’s not the usual timeline city projects fall into.”&nbsp;

“The timeline here has been very short—the mayor announced on Thursday, Aug. 5 that the&nbsp; Great Highway was going to turn from a park into a driving place on Aug. 16,” said Brian Coyne, a resident who supports a permanent closure of the Great Highway. “Anyone who follows city projects knows that’s not the usual timeline city projects fall into.”&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Coyne and a fellow advocate, Scott Feeney, filed a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) appeal with the Board of Supervisors, asking for the change to be delayed until the appeal is reviewed.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Coyne and a fellow advocate, Scott Feeney, filed a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) appeal with the Board of Supervisors, asking for the change to be delayed until the appeal is reviewed.&nbsp;

In a letter, Coyne and Feeney asserted that the reopening of the Great Highway to cars constitutes a “project” and is thus <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MavJzOOx4F8L_ZZNWnxHC7iEj9hspE-yt6onFJLjFUE/edit">eligible for CEQA review</a>. The two delivered the appeal in person at City Hall on Tuesday in the hopes that it can be reviewed quickly.&nbsp;

In a letter, Coyne and Feeney asserted that the reopening of the Great Highway to cars constitutes a “project” and is thus <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MavJzOOx4F8L_ZZNWnxHC7iEj9hspE-yt6onFJLjFUE/edit">eligible for CEQA review</a>. The two delivered the appeal in person at City Hall on Tuesday in the hopes that it can be reviewed quickly.&nbsp;

CEQA, a California state law enacted in 1970, sets forth an environmental oversight process for development: With some exceptions, developers must submit to an environmental review of their projects, and remediate any impacts where appropriate. Third parties are also permitted to appeal CEQA exemptions, though most CEQA appeals don’t wind up approved. According to records provided by the Planning Department, there were 22 CEQA appeals filed in 2020; of those, 19 were either denied or withdrawn, and only one appeal was upheld.

CEQA, a California state law enacted in 1970, sets forth an environmental oversight process for development: With some exceptions, developers must submit to an environmental review of their projects, and remediate any impacts where appropriate. Third parties are also permitted to appeal CEQA exemptions, though most CEQA appeals don’t wind up approved. According to records provided by the Planning Department, there were 22 CEQA appeals filed in 2020; of those, 19 were either denied or withdrawn, and only one appeal was upheld.

The CEQA appeal process has also been criticized for providing a way for appellants to stop or delay projects—such as housing, homeless shelters or even bike infrastructure—for reasons that may have little to do with environmental protection.&nbsp;

The CEQA appeal process has also been criticized for providing a way for appellants to stop or delay projects—such as housing, homeless shelters or even bike infrastructure—for reasons that may have little to do with environmental protection.&nbsp;

Coyne said that an appeal of the Great Highway reopening meets the spirit of CEQA, if not the letter: “[Mayor Breed] and Supervisor Mar explicitly said that the goal here is to make it faster to drive into downtown San Francisco,” he said. “But the question is: Is such a project exempt from environmental review?”

Coyne said that an appeal of the Great Highway reopening meets the spirit of CEQA, if not the letter: “[Mayor Breed] and Supervisor Mar explicitly said that the goal here is to make it faster to drive into downtown San Francisco,” he said. “But the question is: Is such a project exempt from environmental review?”

“It’s easy to be cynical about CEQA, but we feel this is exactly what it’s meant for,” Coyne added.&nbsp;

“It’s easy to be cynical about CEQA, but we feel this is exactly what it’s meant for,” Coyne added.&nbsp;

Coyne is far from alone in opposition to the Great Highway plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coyne is far from alone in opposition to the Great Highway plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Advocates for the oceanfront promenade balked at what they called a backroom deal by the Mayor and Supervisor Mar, which will override a Great Highway planning process that was already underway. Since the Great Highway’s initial closure last year, San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA) has conducted a series of meetings, and issued surveys and <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/district-4-mobility-study">reports</a>, to determine a permanent path forward for the approximately 17-acre stretch.

Advocates for the oceanfront promenade balked at what they called a backroom deal by the Mayor and Supervisor Mar, which will override a Great Highway planning process that was already underway. Since the Great Highway’s initial closure last year, San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA) has conducted a series of meetings, and issued surveys and <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/district-4-mobility-study">reports</a>, to determine a permanent path forward for the approximately 17-acre stretch.

For their part, opponents of the Great Highway closure contended that it pushed traffic onto surrounding roads, and some complained of <a href="https://twitter.com/D4GordonMar/status/1327304875177197568/photo/1">unsafe driving</a> on Outer Sunset roads resulting from the closure of a main thoroughfare. San Francisco County Transportation Authority, which manages congestion on local roadways, approved a <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/lower-great-highway-pedestrian-improvements">traffic calming plan</a> for nearby roads earlier this year.&nbsp;

For their part, opponents of the Great Highway closure contended that it pushed traffic onto surrounding roads, and some complained of <a href="https://twitter.com/D4GordonMar/status/1327304875177197568/photo/1">unsafe driving</a> on Outer Sunset roads resulting from the closure of a main thoroughfare. San Francisco County Transportation Authority, which manages congestion on local roadways, approved a <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/lower-great-highway-pedestrian-improvements">traffic calming plan</a> for nearby roads earlier this year.&nbsp;

“We are so disappointed by this news from Supervisor Mar,” said Heidi Moseson, an Outer Sunset resident and organizer with the <a href="https://www.greathighwaypark.com/">Great Highway Park Initiative</a>, which supported a permanent closure, at a meeting last week. “There’s a process in place that we’ve all spent thousands of hours organizing around, talking to neighbors, talking to our representatives, and talking to city agencies, and that’s all been completely subverted.”&nbsp;

“We are so disappointed by this news from Supervisor Mar,” said Heidi Moseson, an Outer Sunset resident and organizer with the <a href="https://www.greathighwaypark.com/">Great Highway Park Initiative</a>, which supported a permanent closure, at a meeting last week. “There’s a process in place that we’ve all spent thousands of hours organizing around, talking to neighbors, talking to our representatives, and talking to city agencies, and that’s all been completely subverted.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://kidsafesf.com/">KidSafeSF</a>, a parents’ group that advocates for safe, open spaces for children, is organizing a demonstration and March this Sunday at the Great Highway.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kidsafesf.com/">KidSafeSF</a>, a parents’ group that advocates for safe, open spaces for children, is organizing a demonstration and March this Sunday at the Great Highway.&nbsp;

Coyne called the CEQA appeal a “last-ditch effort” to save the walkway, and it’s unclear if and when the Board of Supervisors will hear the appeal.

Coyne called the CEQA appeal a “last-ditch effort” to save the walkway, and it’s unclear if and when the Board of Supervisors will hear the appeal.

Because the Board of Supervisors is on recess until Sept. 6, there is no calendared date yet for the board to consider the CEQA appeal. The clerk&#8217;s office can&#8217;t anticipate what the board will and will not consider, said Board of Supervisors deputy director Wilson Ng, but he advised members of the public contact their representatives in the meantime.

Because the Board of Supervisors is on recess until Sept. 6, there is no calendared date yet for the board to consider the CEQA appeal. The clerk's office can't anticipate what the board will and will not consider, said Board of Supervisors deputy director Wilson Ng, but he advised members of the public contact their representatives in the meantime.

Because the Board of Supervisors is on recess until Sept. 6, there is no calendared date yet for the board to consider the CEQA appeal. The clerk&#8217;s office can&#8217;t anticipate what the board will and will not consider, said Board of Supervisors deputy director Wilson Ng, but he advised members of the public contact their representatives in the meantime.

“We think it’s worth it,” Coyne added of the appeal. “San Francisco and other cities have started to rethink how we use our public space&#8230;I think these moments of emergency give us a chance to rethink how we do things.”&nbsp;

“We think it’s worth it,” Coyne added of the appeal. “San Francisco and other cities have started to rethink how we use our public space...I think these moments of emergency give us a chance to rethink how we do things.”&nbsp;

“We think it’s worth it,” Coyne added of the appeal. “San Francisco and other cities have started to rethink how we use our public space&#8230;I think these moments of emergency give us a chance to rethink how we do things.”&nbsp;

City’s plan to reopen Great Highway to cars met with pushback

In January 2022, when San Francisco announced a new program in the Bayview with the opaque title &#8220;vehicle triage center&#8221; (VTC), it seemed a rare win-win in the world of big city homelessness strategy.

In January 2022, when San Francisco announced a new program in the Bayview with the opaque title "vehicle triage center" (VTC), it seemed a rare win-win in the world of big city homelessness strategy.

In January 2022, when San Francisco announced a new program in the Bayview with the opaque title &#8220;vehicle triage center&#8221; (VTC), it seemed a rare win-win in the world of big city homelessness strategy.

The Bayview VTC would offer a &#8220;safe parking&#8221; area where people living in their cars or RVs could access electric service, showers and sanitary facilities, all in a 24/7 secure location supported by the full panoply of city-contracted &#8220;wraparound services.&#8221; Residents would also have access to city workers knowledgeable about the process of securing permanent housing.

The Bayview VTC would offer a "safe parking" area where people living in their cars or RVs could access electric service, showers and sanitary facilities, all in a 24/7 secure location supported by the full panoply of city-contracted "wraparound services." Residents would also have access to city workers knowledgeable about the process of securing permanent housing.

The Bayview VTC would offer a &#8220;safe parking&#8221; area where people living in their cars or RVs could access electric service, showers and sanitary facilities, all in a 24/7 secure location supported by the full panoply of city-contracted &#8220;wraparound services.&#8221; Residents would also have access to city workers knowledgeable about the process of securing permanent housing.

The site would be BYOV: Bring your own vehicle. 

The site would be BYOV: Bring your own vehicle.

The beauty of the approach was that the city would not need to build housing; all it needed was a parking lot where it could deliver services, one preferably out of the way of residential neighborhoods.&nbsp;

The beauty of the approach was that the city would not need to build housing; all it needed was a parking lot where it could deliver services, one preferably out of the way of residential neighborhoods.&nbsp;

But for all the promise of the approach, things have not turned out as expected.&nbsp;

But for all the promise of the approach, things have not turned out as expected.&nbsp;

Services are not what was promised. The VTC residents have ongoing and, in some cases, serious complaints about the site. The city is facing an environmental lawsuit for violating the Clean Air Act, and the cost has far exceeded what it cost to provide the same services in a pilot program.

Services are not what was promised. The VTC residents have ongoing and, in some cases, serious complaints about the site. The city is facing an environmental lawsuit for violating the Clean Air Act, and the cost has far exceeded what it cost to provide the same services in a pilot program.

As the project celebrates its one-year anniversary, the question is whether the Bayview VTC is just suffering growing pains or is it a complete fiasco? So far, the evidence points to the latter.

As the project celebrates its one-year anniversary, the question is whether the Bayview VTC is just suffering growing pains or is it a complete fiasco? So far, the evidence points to the latter.

A Search for Alternative Ways To Provide Shelter

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Search for Alternative Ways To Provide Shelter</h2>

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<h2>A Search for Alternative Ways To Provide Shelter</h2>

When the Board of Supervisors considered the Bayview VTC, it noted that &#8220;safe parking&#8221; programs were an alternative to traditional models for sheltering and housing residents experiencing homelessness.&nbsp;

When the Board of Supervisors considered the Bayview VTC, it noted that "safe parking" programs were an alternative to traditional models for sheltering and housing residents experiencing homelessness.&nbsp;

When the Board of Supervisors considered the Bayview VTC, it noted that &#8220;safe parking&#8221; programs were an alternative to traditional models for sheltering and housing residents experiencing homelessness.&nbsp;

Exploring alternatives made a lot of sense in light of the twin challenges of building housing in the country&#8217;s second-most expensive city, according to a Consumer Reports study (using 2021 data) and trying to site shelters in neighborhoods that do not want the homeless.

Exploring alternatives made a lot of sense in light of the twin challenges of building housing in the country's second-most expensive city, according to a Consumer Reports study (using 2021 data) and trying to site shelters in neighborhoods that do not want the homeless.

Exploring alternatives made a lot of sense in light of the twin challenges of building housing in the country&#8217;s second-most expensive city, according to a Consumer Reports study (using 2021 data) and trying to site shelters in neighborhoods that do not want the homeless.

Safe parking sites could be particularly useful because, according to research by the city&#8217;s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), there were people living in 1,088 vehicles citywide in 2021, representing a significant portion of the approximately 8,000 people experiencing homelessness. 

Safe parking sites could be particularly useful because, according to research by the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), there were people living in 1,088 vehicles citywide in 2021, representing a significant portion of the approximately 8,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Safe parking sites could be particularly useful because, according to research by the city&#8217;s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), there were people living in 1,088 vehicles citywide in 2021, representing a significant portion of the approximately 8,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Some of the vehicles were cars or vans. Many were RVs. Some vehicles could move under their own power; others would need a tow to make it to the next block.&nbsp;

Some of the vehicles were cars or vans. Many were RVs. Some vehicles could move under their own power; others would need a tow to make it to the next block.&nbsp;

They were scattered all over the city, with a particularly large concentration in the Bayview-Hunters Point area near Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (CPSRA).&nbsp;

They were scattered all over the city, with a particularly large concentration in the Bayview-Hunters Point area near Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (CPSRA).&nbsp;

CPSRA is a 270-acre park born in 1977, according to the state website, &#8220;through the efforts of San Francisco residents organizing for environmental justice in their community.&#8221;

CPSRA is a 270-acre park born in 1977, according to the state website, "through the efforts of San Francisco residents organizing for environmental justice in their community."

CPSRA is a 270-acre park born in 1977, according to the state website, &#8220;through the efforts of San Francisco residents organizing for environmental justice in their community.&#8221;

A large vehicle encampment had grown up on Hunters Point Expressway near the park entrance. HSH&#8217;s count said that there were 154 occupied vehicles in that area.&nbsp;

A large vehicle encampment had grown up on Hunters Point Expressway near the park entrance. HSH's count said that there were 154 occupied vehicles in that area.&nbsp;

A large vehicle encampment had grown up on Hunters Point Expressway near the park entrance. HSH&#8217;s count said that there were 154 occupied vehicles in that area.&nbsp;

Vehicles lined the roadway on both sides, sometimes two- and three-deep. The density was so great that at times the entrance to the park was completely blocked.&nbsp;

Vehicles lined the roadway on both sides, sometimes two- and three-deep. The density was so great that at times the entrance to the park was completely blocked.&nbsp;

Neighbors complained of crime, noise, drugs, discharge of sewage and the negative impact of the encampment on the enjoyment—and value—of their properties. They made repeated complaints on 311 and to their elected representatives.

Neighbors complained of crime, noise, drugs, discharge of sewage and the negative impact of the encampment on the enjoyment—and value—of their properties. They made repeated complaints on 311 and to their elected representatives.

There was a large parking lot in CPSRA that had once served the park&#8217;s boat launch. The boat launch had become inoperable, and the parking lot was mostly unused.&nbsp;

There was a large parking lot in CPSRA that had once served the park's boat launch. The boat launch had become inoperable, and the parking lot was mostly unused.&nbsp;

There was a large parking lot in CPSRA that had once served the park&#8217;s boat launch. The boat launch had become inoperable, and the parking lot was mostly unused.&nbsp;

The lot was 312,000 square feet—roughly the size of six football fields—and was owned by the state and available for lease.

The lot was 312,000 square feet—roughly the size of six football fields—and was owned by the state and available for lease.

Nearly the length of six football fields, the 312,000 square-foot Bayview Vehicle Triage Center in San Francisco accommodates 49 vehicles, many of them RVs. | Joe Dworetzky/Bay City News

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1660" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BCN-20230210-BAYVIEWVTC-04-2500x1660.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128281"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nearly the length of six football fields, the 312,000 square-foot Bayview Vehicle Triage Center in San Francisco accommodates 49 vehicles, many of them RVs. | Joe Dworetzky/Bay City News</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BCN-20230210-BAYVIEWVTC-04-2500x1660.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-128281"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nearly the length of six football fields, the 312,000 square-foot Bayview Vehicle Triage Center in San Francisco accommodates 49 vehicles, many of them RVs. | Joe Dworetzky/Bay City News</figcaption></figure>

The spot was about as remote a location as you could find in San Francisco, sitting across the South Basin from Hunters Point on a beautiful spot at the edge of the bay, bounded by the water, the recreation area, and mostly vacant land.

The spot was about as remote a location as you could find in San Francisco, sitting across the South Basin from Hunters Point on a beautiful spot at the edge of the bay, bounded by the water, the recreation area, and mostly vacant land.

The closest neighbor was an existing private RV Park—Candlestick RV Park—that had accommodations for 165 RVs and 24 tents.

The closest neighbor was an existing private RV Park—Candlestick RV Park—that had accommodations for 165 RVs and 24 tents.

What if the city leased the CPSRA parking lot and invited inhabited RVs and vehicles from the Bayview to move into what they called the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center?

What if the city leased the CPSRA parking lot and invited inhabited RVs and vehicles from the Bayview to move into what they called the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center?

The proposal would help clear up the problem area on Hunters Point Expressway. Moreover, the facility would be a temporary one, just for two years, so Bayview residents would not feel that their neighborhood was being stuck with another long-term institutional use, a pervasive complaint from the neighborhood.&nbsp;

The proposal would help clear up the problem area on Hunters Point Expressway. Moreover, the facility would be a temporary one, just for two years, so Bayview residents would not feel that their neighborhood was being stuck with another long-term institutional use, a pervasive complaint from the neighborhood.&nbsp;

The Bayview VTC wouldn&#8217;t just be a parking lot, the city would provide services that weren&#8217;t available to a RV out on the street: water, electric, showers, free meals and a way to dispose of &#8220;graywater&#8221; (water from showering and cooking) and &#8220;blackwater&#8221; (sewage) in a sanitary fashion. There would be security guards 24/7. There might even be space for a second vehicle for residents who lived in an RV but used a car to get to work or get around.

The Bayview VTC wouldn't just be a parking lot, the city would provide services that weren't available to a RV out on the street: water, electric, showers, free meals and a way to dispose of "graywater" (water from showering and cooking) and "blackwater" (sewage) in a sanitary fashion. There would be security guards 24/7. There might even be space for a second vehicle for residents who lived in an RV but used a car to get to work or get around.

The Bayview VTC wouldn&#8217;t just be a parking lot, the city would provide services that weren&#8217;t available to a RV out on the street: water, electric, showers, free meals and a way to dispose of &#8220;graywater&#8221; (water from showering and cooking) and &#8220;blackwater&#8221; (sewage) in a sanitary fashion. There would be security guards 24/7. There might even be space for a second vehicle for residents who lived in an RV but used a car to get to work or get around.

The city would provide wraparound services: support and counseling for the residents on any of the common problems experienced on the street—drug and alcohol abuse and behavioral health problems, in particular—and also help for residents to move into longer-term solutions like permanent supportive housing.

The city would provide wraparound services: support and counseling for the residents on any of the common problems experienced on the street—drug and alcohol abuse and behavioral health problems, in particular—and also help for residents to move into longer-term solutions like permanent supportive housing.

And the piece de resistance: The city had the money to make it happen. The state would lease the city the space for $1.7 million to be paid, not in cash, but in return for &#8220;in-kind&#8221; services (increased police services, dumping mitigation by the city Department of Public Works, etc.).

And the piece de resistance: The city had the money to make it happen. The state would lease the city the space for $1.7 million to be paid, not in cash, but in return for "in-kind" services (increased police services, dumping mitigation by the city Department of Public Works, etc.).

And the piece de resistance: The city had the money to make it happen. The state would lease the city the space for $1.7 million to be paid, not in cash, but in return for &#8220;in-kind&#8221; services (increased police services, dumping mitigation by the city Department of Public Works, etc.).

The state would also kick in $5.6 million to get the site up and running.

The state would also kick in $5.6 million to get the site up and running.

HSH would tap $4.2 million in funding for homelessness under Proposition C, a ballot proposition from 2018 that imposed a gross receipts tax on businesses to support homelessness solutions.

HSH would tap $4.2 million in funding for homelessness under Proposition C, a ballot proposition from 2018 that imposed a gross receipts tax on businesses to support homelessness solutions.

And with a total of at least $11.5 million available to fund the project, the city was off to the races. It was a bold and exciting idea.

And with a total of at least $11.5 million available to fund the project, the city was off to the races. It was a bold and exciting idea.

Not the City&#8217;s First Rodeo

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Not the City&#8217;s First Rodeo</h2>

<h2>Not the City's First Rodeo</h2>

<h2>Not the City&#8217;s First Rodeo</h2>

This was not the city&#8217;s first time to the VTC rodeo.

This was not the city's first time to the VTC rodeo.

This was not the city&#8217;s first time to the VTC rodeo.

In 2019, the city piloted a Vehicle Triage Center at 2340 San Jose Ave., south of Balboa Park with spots for 29 vehicles and access to case management and other city services. Operation of the center began in November that year and continued for a year and a half until it closed in March 2021.

In 2019, the city piloted a Vehicle Triage Center at 2340 San Jose Ave., south of Balboa Park with spots for 29 vehicles and access to case management and other city services. Operation of the center began in November that year and continued for a year and a half until it closed in March 2021.

The first year of operation was evaluated in a report prepared jointly by the San Francisco Controller&#8217;s Office and HSH. The controller frequently looks at city programs to see if they are effective and cost-efficient.

The first year of operation was evaluated in a report prepared jointly by the San Francisco Controller's Office and HSH. The controller frequently looks at city programs to see if they are effective and cost-efficient.

The first year of operation was evaluated in a report prepared jointly by the San Francisco Controller&#8217;s Office and HSH. The controller frequently looks at city programs to see if they are effective and cost-efficient.

The report was released on Feb. 1, 2021, and while the report was not critical of the pilot program, it raised several key points around the cost.

The report was released on Feb. 1, 2021, and while the report was not critical of the pilot program, it raised several key points around the cost.

In the first year of operation the cost (including estimated cost of case management services) worked out to be $1,793,003 or $61,828 for each of the 29 parking spots.

In the first year of operation the cost (including estimated cost of case management services) worked out to be $1,793,003 or $61,828 for each of the 29 parking spots.

The evaluation did not compare that cost to other shelter options, but noted that site setup costs depend on a variety of different factors, including the number and types of parking spaces, the size and layout of the site, and the level of care.

The evaluation did not compare that cost to other shelter options, but noted that site setup costs depend on a variety of different factors, including the number and types of parking spaces, the size and layout of the site, and the level of care.

&#8220;Site set up costs,&#8221; the report said, &#8220;cannot be uniformly predicted.&#8221; 

"Site set up costs," the report said, "cannot be uniformly predicted."

&#8220;Site set up costs,&#8221; the report said, &#8220;cannot be uniformly predicted.&#8221;

That meant it was unclear how the cost of the pilot would apply to other sites, a caveat that would prove especially meaningful at Bayview VTC.

That meant it was unclear how the cost of the pilot would apply to other sites, a caveat that would prove especially meaningful at Bayview VTC.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Neighbors Weigh In</h2>

<h2>The Neighbors Weigh In</h2>

To prepare Bayview residents for a site in their neighborhood, HSH convened a Zoom meeting with neighborhood leaders on Sept. 10, 2021, to hear their input.&nbsp;

To prepare Bayview residents for a site in their neighborhood, HSH convened a Zoom meeting with neighborhood leaders on Sept. 10, 2021, to hear their input.&nbsp;

Emily Cohen, deputy director for communications &amp; legislative affairs for HSH, presented the program. She explained that the pilot near Balboa Park had been &#8220;quite successful&#8221; and HSH was &#8220;very excited to be able to take our learnings from that pilot program to a second iteration of the model.&#8221;

Emily Cohen, deputy director for communications &amp; legislative affairs for HSH, presented the program. She explained that the pilot near Balboa Park had been "quite successful" and HSH was "very excited to be able to take our learnings from that pilot program to a second iteration of the model."

Emily Cohen, deputy director for communications &amp; legislative affairs for HSH, presented the program. She explained that the pilot near Balboa Park had been &#8220;quite successful&#8221; and HSH was &#8220;very excited to be able to take our learnings from that pilot program to a second iteration of the model.&#8221;

The Bayview VTC would have space for 155 vehicles, five times as many as the pilot.&nbsp;

The Bayview VTC would have space for 155 vehicles, five times as many as the pilot.&nbsp;

Spots within the VTC would be prioritized for people in Bayview who had been living in their vehicles. Cohen emphasized that &#8220;you can&#8217;t drive up to the site, and you can&#8217;t knock on the gate and ask to come in, but this will be very much invitation-only.&#8221;

Spots within the VTC would be prioritized for people in Bayview who had been living in their vehicles. Cohen emphasized that "you can't drive up to the site, and you can't knock on the gate and ask to come in, but this will be very much invitation-only."

Spots within the VTC would be prioritized for people in Bayview who had been living in their vehicles. Cohen emphasized that &#8220;you can&#8217;t drive up to the site, and you can&#8217;t knock on the gate and ask to come in, but this will be very much invitation-only.&#8221;

She emphasized that &#8220;this is a temporary proposal; this project is intended to be short term. This is not a permanent project. We are working towards a two-year lease with state parks.&#8221;

She emphasized that "this is a temporary proposal; this project is intended to be short term. This is not a permanent project. We are working towards a two-year lease with state parks."

She emphasized that &#8220;this is a temporary proposal; this project is intended to be short term. This is not a permanent project. We are working towards a two-year lease with state parks.&#8221;

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Cohen stated that the VTC was conceived not as an ending place but as &#8220;a launching pad for people to access either affordable housing or other social services.&#8221;

Cohen stated that the VTC was conceived not as an ending place but as "a launching pad for people to access either affordable housing or other social services."

Cohen stated that the VTC was conceived not as an ending place but as &#8220;a launching pad for people to access either affordable housing or other social services.&#8221;

When the meeting opened to community input, HSH got an earful.&nbsp;

When the meeting opened to community input, HSH got an earful.&nbsp;

Neighbors complained that they were just learning that the new triage center would be in the CPSRA and that they should have known that long beforehand. (The city disputed the point.)

Neighbors complained that they were just learning that the new triage center would be in the CPSRA and that they should have known that long beforehand. (The city disputed the point.)

They said that they were sick and tired of the vehicles parked near their homes, and profoundly frustrated with the lack of city response.

They said that they were sick and tired of the vehicles parked near their homes, and profoundly frustrated with the lack of city response.

Timothy Simon, who identified himself as a member of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association, complained that &#8220;Bayview-Hunters Point is the home for every social ill the city and county of San Francisco has.&#8221;

Timothy Simon, who identified himself as a member of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association, complained that "Bayview-Hunters Point is the home for every social ill the city and county of San Francisco has."

Timothy Simon, who identified himself as a member of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association, complained that &#8220;Bayview-Hunters Point is the home for every social ill the city and county of San Francisco has.&#8221;

He called out the city&#8217;s &#8220;ineptitude&#8221; and the &#8220;horrible job you&#8217;ve done in managing the current situation, which is complete and total lawless disregard for the residents of this community and clearly a public health hazard.&#8221;

He called out the city's "ineptitude" and the "horrible job you've done in managing the current situation, which is complete and total lawless disregard for the residents of this community and clearly a public health hazard."

He called out the city&#8217;s &#8220;ineptitude&#8221; and the &#8220;horrible job you&#8217;ve done in managing the current situation, which is complete and total lawless disregard for the residents of this community and clearly a public health hazard.&#8221;

Another neighbor said, &#8220;all the emphasis, all the resources, have been on the unfortunate unhoused vehicle dwellers. You have not heard one word, one character, about the well-being of the tax-paying homeowners and residents of this community. That is an insult.&#8221;

Another neighbor said, "all the emphasis, all the resources, have been on the unfortunate unhoused vehicle dwellers. You have not heard one word, one character, about the well-being of the tax-paying homeowners and residents of this community. That is an insult."

Another neighbor said, &#8220;all the emphasis, all the resources, have been on the unfortunate unhoused vehicle dwellers. You have not heard one word, one character, about the well-being of the tax-paying homeowners and residents of this community. That is an insult.&#8221;

One said he did not understand why &#8220;we are allowing ourselves to be the armpit of the city.&#8221;

One said he did not understand why "we are allowing ourselves to be the armpit of the city."

One said he did not understand why &#8220;we are allowing ourselves to be the armpit of the city.&#8221;

Judging by those who spoke, the neighbors were against the project by a healthy margin, but not all speakers opposed the idea.

Judging by those who spoke, the neighbors were against the project by a healthy margin, but not all speakers opposed the idea.

One resident complained that he suffers from hearing loud profanity and a generator running all night (&#8220;It&#8217;s like a lawnmower running right outside my bedroom window&#8221;). He said there was a 20-gallon drum of raw sewage at the existing encampment just across his back fence. He would be happy if the city could use the VTC to move vehicles away from his fence.

One resident complained that he suffers from hearing loud profanity and a generator running all night ("It's like a lawnmower running right outside my bedroom window"). He said there was a 20-gallon drum of raw sewage at the existing encampment just across his back fence. He would be happy if the city could use the VTC to move vehicles away from his fence.

One resident complained that he suffers from hearing loud profanity and a generator running all night (&#8220;It&#8217;s like a lawnmower running right outside my bedroom window&#8221;). He said there was a 20-gallon drum of raw sewage at the existing encampment just across his back fence. He would be happy if the city could use the VTC to move vehicles away from his fence.

Another speaker chided the neighbors for not focusing on how different the VTC would be from the existing situation on the street. She pointed out that there was already an RV park in the area and that didn&#8217;t cause any concern.

Another speaker chided the neighbors for not focusing on how different the VTC would be from the existing situation on the street. She pointed out that there was already an RV park in the area and that didn't cause any concern.

Another speaker chided the neighbors for not focusing on how different the VTC would be from the existing situation on the street. She pointed out that there was already an RV park in the area and that didn&#8217;t cause any concern.

The meeting ended with city officials thanking the residents for their input and saying it was valuable.

The meeting ended with city officials thanking the residents for their input and saying it was valuable.

Here/Say Media joining with Public Comment

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Here/Say Media joining with Public Comment

City’s plan to reopen Great Highway to cars met with pushback

SF vehicle triage center exposes the challenge of alternative shelter approaches

Photos: Dia de los Muertos returns to the Mission District

Supervisors to consider citywide fourplex expansion next year