Mayor Announces Initiative to Boost S.F. Restaurant Industry

Mayor issues Executive Directive to create Inter-Agency Restaurant Consultation Team to streamline process, support local restaurant industry

Mayor Newsom announced a new initiative within the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) charged with streamlining and simplifying the process of opening a restaurant in San Francisco, as well as developing recommendations to support the restaurant industry in San Francisco overall. The restaurant industry in San Francisco – with more than 3,000 restaurants and more than 46,000 employees – is one of the City’s largest employers, revitalizing neighborhood corridors and stimulating tourism.

“From our neighborhood bistros and taquerias to our finest white tablecloth establishments, restaurants are a cornerstone of San Francisco’s economy and quality of life,” said Mayor Newsom. “San Francisco restaurants have stepped up to support their employees’ health and economic well-being, and the City in turn can provide greater certainty and support to entrepreneurs going through the process of opening a restaurant. By proactively engaging the industry through a more targeted business assistance and relationship-building effort, we can become a more effective problem-solver, partner and advocate.” Read more.

Mayor Welcomes Biggest Fleet Week Celebration in 20 years

Ships from the U.S. Naval Third Fleet and the eco-friendly amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island arrive in San Francisco Bay

Mayor Gavin Newsom today welcomed the arrival of the USS Makin Island, the U.S. Navy’s Hybrid Ship, into San Francisco Bay and announced the lineup for San Francisco Fleet Week 2010 kicking off October 7 – 12, 2010. Fleet Week 2010 will be the largest Fleet Week celebration in more than twenty years based on the number of ships and servicemen and women participating and the extensive lineup of events.

“Fleet Week is a San Francisco tradition where we celebrate our City’s rich naval history and maritime traditions and salute the men and women of our Armed Forces for their devotion and service to the defense of our country,” said Mayor Newsom. “This year, we are looking forward to welcoming the USS Makin Island, representing the next generation of environmentally friendly ships, and the skilled naval aviators of The Blue Angels, with their extraordinary airborne maneuvers.”

Mayor Renominates Ed Lee as City Administrator

Mayor Gavin Newsom today renominated Edwin M. Lee as San Francisco’s City Administrator for another term. Ed Lee first begin working for the City and County of San Francisco in 1989 as the Investigator for the City’s first Whistle Blower Ordinance and has since served as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission, Director of City Purchasing, and Director of the Department of Public Works before he was first appointed as City Administrator in 2005.

“From making City departments more efficient to greening our City fleet, Ed Lee has served our City tremendously the last five years,” said Mayor Newsom. “I’m proud to nominate him for another term so we can continue the progress we’ve made in long-term capital planning and government reform.” Read more.

City Launches Kindergarten to College Savings Program for Families

San Francisco is first city in the nation to launch college savings program for all public school kindergartners

Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined San Francisco leaders to announce the launch of Kindergarten to College (K2C), the nation’s first universal children’s savings account program, designed to put all children on the path to college. The City will open a savings account with an initial seed deposit for every kindergartner entering public school.

K2C aims to increase college aspirations for every child, while helping families get a head start on college savings. Philanthropic foundations will provide cash matches and incentives to encourage families to save. Emerging research shows these accounts can be a cost effective investment to boost academic performance and increase savings and financial literacy. Read more.

State of California Approves Funding for Pier 70

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs Assembly Bill 1199 into law to allow the Port of San Francisco to proceed with infrastructure improvements along the waterfront in the Pier 70 area.

Mayor Gavin Newsom today praised the signing of Assembly Bill 1199 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that will provide future funding for parks, infrastructure and rehabilitation of historic resources in the Port of San Francisco’s Pier 70 area. Under the terms of the legislation crafted by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors may approve an infrastructure financing district at Pier 70 to capture projected growth in property tax revenues arising from new development at the site to pay for publicly-oriented site improvements. The Port has developed a Pier 70 Preferred Master Plan that envisions a vibrant, continued ship repair operation, a new National Register Historic District, more than 20 acres of parks and open space and commercial development that will provide 6,000-8,000 jobs. The legislation was supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition of community leaders, labor organizations, business organizations and elected officials. Read more.

Mayor Announces Opening of ChinaSF Beijing Office

New San Francisco Office in Beijing is a welcome addition to continued efforts for greater economic ties between China and the United States

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the opening of the ChinaSF Beijing office in response to the growing demand for greater business exchanges between the world’s two largest economies – the United States and China.

“As the gateway to the Pacific, ChinaSF builds San Francisco’s history of shared cultural and economic ties with China, and strengthens mutual economic prosperity through enhanced relationships between San Francisco and Chinese businesses,” said Mayor Newsom. “ChinaSF’s business presence in Beijing will truly leverage China’s growing market and innovation for San Francisco’s economy.” Read more.

City Announces $7.9 Million Federal Grant to Improve Broadband Technology Access

San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations will benefit from a broad-reaching stimulus fund grant

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Mayor Newsom today announced award of the $7.9 million Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) competitive grant to increase access to technology. Entitled the San Francisco Community Broadband Opportunity Program (SF CBOP), the project is part of a nation-wide effort to increase sustainable adoption of high-speed Internet applications and encourage subscribership to broadband services. The program will provide extensive training, computers, and broadband connections throughout San Francisco, through partnering organizations, including senior centers, adult day and supportive housing sites, after school programs, youth organizations, digital media partners, and City College of San Francisco.

“San Francisco is at the center of the information and communications revolution that is changing the world, but too many people still don’t have access to broadband technology,” said Mayor Newsom. “I would like to thank Secretary Locke and the NTIA for their vision in awarding this grant, and Speaker Pelosi for her support and leadership.” Read more.

Mayor and Supervisors Introduce Agreement to Host America's Cup in San Francisco

San Francisco – Mayor Gavin Newsom, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi and other members of the Board of Supervisors today introduced the formal agreement to host the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco.  The purpose of the agreement, or term sheet, is to set forth essential terms and conditions agreed upon by the America’s Cup Committee of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and the City of San Francisco with the Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup.  If San Francisco is selected to host the 34th America’s Cup, the term sheet provides a framework for promptly negotiating a legally binding Host City Agreement and establishing the terms and conditions under which the San Francisco would be prepared to host the America’s Cup event, subject to all necessary approvals and environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In addition to Mayor Newsom, Board of Supervisors President Chiu and Supervisor Mirkarimi, the agreement was also initially co-sponsored by Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu, Bevan Dufty, and Sophie Maxwell.
 
“We believe there’s no better place on earth than San Francisco Bay to defend the America’s Cup and bring millions of new fans from around the world to the oldest international sailing competition,” said Mayor Newsom. “This agreement establishes the strong partnership between the City, the BMW Oracle Racing Team and the entire community if San Francisco is fortunate to be selected as the Host City for the 34th America’s Cup. The entire City and State of California are united behind bringing the America’s Cup – and all the economic benefits, jobs and excitement that come with it – to San Francisco.” Read more.

City Announces $3 Million Grant to Improve College Graduation Rates

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that San Francisco is one of four U.S. cities awarded a $3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National League of Cities to fund innovative proposals to boost college completion rates. The grants are part of the Communities Learning in Partnership initiative, which is led by the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families.

The City and County of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco (CCSF), and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) will receive $3 million over the next three years to align expectations between high school and college, strengthen data systems, and coordinate student services. Last year, the City, CCSF, and SFUSD created the “Bridge to Success” partnership that brought together the Mayor’s Office, SFUSD and CCSF leaders to devise new ways of helping more students successfully complete an education beyond high school. Implementing those steps and achieving those benchmarks will be the focus of the grant-funded effort. Read more.

Mayor Announces First Annual Central Market Arts Festival

3-Week Festival to Highlight Arts and Culture in the Central Market Area

Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the kick-off
weekend for the new Central Market Arts Festival which premieres in Mint
Plaza this Friday at noon and continues over three weeks in satellite
locations that showcase arts and culture establishments in the area.
The arts festival is part of a comprehensive effort to catalyze arts and
culture establishments on Market Street between 5 th and 9 th
Streets, cultivating the area as a destination spot for both tourists
and local arts patrons.

“We are excited to highlight the incredible resources in our City’s
arts community and continue cultivating Central Market as a premier
venue for arts and cultural organizations in San Francisco,” said Mayor
Newsom. “Our intention is for the Central Market Arts Festival to become
an annual event and for it to serve as another piece of the City and
the community’s work to revitalize the area.” Read more.

Mayor Announces City Incentives For Local JobsNow! Program

City to offer local version of Jobs NOW! to incentivize private
sector employment, boost local economy if Congress fails to extend
successful federal stimulus-funded program set to expire September 30th.

Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Human
Services Agency (HSA) Director Trent Rhorer today announced new local
incentives and private sector wage subsidies to continue a modified
version of the highly successful Jobs NOW! program – which has put more
than 4,100 San Francisco parents back to work – if Congress fails to
extend stimulus funding for subsidized employment programs by September
30th. If Congress allows funding for Jobs NOW! and similar programs
around the country to expire, nearly a quarter million low-income
Americans will be at risk of unemployment come October 1st.

“Economists may tell us the recession is technically over, but a
jobless economic recovery is no recovery at all to parents out-of-work,”
said Mayor Newsom. “Jobs NOW! has subsidized thousands of private
sector jobs so we can offer people the dignity of a paycheck and a job
instead of unemployment. We still call on Congress to extend this highly
successful federal stimulus program, but if Washington won’t act, San
Francisco will step up to offer new local incentives for private sector
employers to keep people working and our economy growing.” Read more.

Mayor Announces $68 Million for Repaving and Infrastructure Improvements

Newly-completed Great Streets Project on Leland Avenue is latest example of City’s continued investment in local construction jobs, neighborhood streetscape and paving improvements despite economic
recession

San Francisco, CA— Mayor Newsom today announced $68.5 million in new infrastructure and streetscape projects for the current fiscal year 2010-11, leveraging Certificates of Participation (COPs), federal, state and local grants to fund improvements to San Francisco’s public realm. $50.6 million will go into street resurfacing, $5.9 million will go into Great Streets projects and other public realm improvements, $4.7 million will go into sidewalk inspection and repair and street structure improvements, and
$7.3 million will go to building curb ramps. The projects together will create at least 450 construction-related jobs.

“Despite the toughest economic environment in generations, San Francisco continues to make record investments and create hundreds of local jobs through our street repair, neighborhood improvements and repaving,” said Mayor Newsom. “Our Great Streets projects, along with transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, and other related streetscape improvements are literally paving the way for a greener, cleaner city
and better quality of life in our neighborhoods.” Read more

Mayor Announces Sunday Streets in Western Addition

New Sunday Streets route through the Western Addition, North of Panhandle, Lower Fillmore and Japantown neighborhoods on Sunday, September 19th

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced a new route for Sunday Streets on Sunday, September 19th. San Francisco’s Sunday Streets program explores new communities with a 2.5-mile route through the Western Addition, North of Panhandle, Lower Fillmore and Japantown neighborhoods.

“We are excited to bring this popular event to the Western Addition neighborhood, this time in the center of the City and into one of San Francisco’s most diverse communities to promotes fitness, build community, and use our streets in a whole new way,” said Mayor Newsom. “Come out on Sunday and see for yourselves the remarkable transformation of Kimball Athletic Fields and Hamilton Rec Center.”

Sunday’s event is the eighth of the nine scheduled for 2010. Like previous Sunday Streets, this event promises a full day of activities for participants of all ages and abilities. Due to enthusiastic involvement from the community, there are a number of special activities that are unique to the Western Addition event. Read more

For more information visit: sundaystreetssf.com

Major Bond Rating Agencies Affirm San Francisco's Strong Credit

Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings affirm San
Francisco’s credit ratings of Aa1, AA and AA, respectively, one of the
highest of any county in California

Mayor Gavin Newsom today welcomed the affirmation of bond ratings for
the City and County of San Francisco by Moody’s Investors Service
(Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and Fitch Ratings (Fitch).
The bond rating affirmations were released by the rating agencies in
connection with the City’s upcoming sale of approximately $135 million
certificates of participation (COP) to refund four COP transactions for
debt service savings.

Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch each recently affirmed the City’s Aa1,
AA, and AA credit rating, respectively, on the City’s general obligation
bonds and rated Aa2, AA-, and AA-, respectively, the City’s upcoming
refunding COP transaction. The ratings reflect the one-notch
distinction between general obligation bonds and general fund-secured
lease obligations. Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch also maintained their
rating outlooks. Read more.

Mayor Announces New Open Data Legislation to Improve Transparency

First APPNation Conference highlights San Francisco as center of fast-growing app economy.

Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined regional and national app developers at the inaugural APPNation Conference to announce new open data legislation. The new “OpenGov” legislation aims to enhance open government, transparency, and accountability by requiring City agencies and departments to provide permanent data sources.

“San Francisco’s world class technology community will take City data we collect and develop new and innovative applications that will serve the public better and transform government,” said Mayor Newsom. “This new legislation not only fundamentally changes how we think about City government departments and the data they collect, but also leverages existing resources to improve the quality of life, stimulate industry and even create jobs in the booming software application industry.”

In 2009, Mayor Newsom issued an Open Data Executive Directive requiring City departments to make all non-confidential datasets under their authority available on DataSF.org, the city’s one stop web site for government data. More than 50 applications have been created from the City’s data (including Routesy, SFPark, CrimeMapping and Mom Maps) and are featured in the DataSF App Showcase (datasf.org/showcase). There are dozens more in the pipeline. Read more.

Mayor Pledges San Francisco's Support for San Bruno Residents

At today’s meeting of the San Francisco Disaster Council, Mayor Gavin Newsom and City public safety officials pledged San Francisco’s continued full support and resources to ongoing response and recovery efforts for San Bruno residents impacted by last night’s explosion and fire.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives or who have been injured and displaced by the San Bruno disaster,” said Mayor Newsom. “San Francisco will continue to fully assist and provide mutual aid and recovery to the people of San Bruno. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the men and women of the San Francisco Fire Department, emergency crews, doctors and nurses who responded immediately with mutual aid last night, and for their continued support in the days ahead.”

Following a mutual regional aid request last night, the San Francisco Fire Department sent 12 suppression units to the scene, and San Francisco International Airport provided 3 fire suppression units within minutes of the disaster. Many of the injured San Bruno residents were taken to San Francisco hospitals for care and treatment. A full briefing of mutual aid support and ongoing recovery efforts was provided at the regularly scheduled Disaster Council meeting at City Hall.

Red Cross Relief for Victims of the San Bruno Fire

The
American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter is providing assistance to the
residents affected by the explosion in San Bruno. Red Cross teams are
supporting an evacuation center and two shelters in San Bruno. One
shelter is located at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in San
Bruno. The second shelter is open adjacent to the Veterans Memorial
Center at the senior center.  The Red Cross will be providing food,
shelter and crisis counseling services for affected families.

Any residents affected by the fire may contact 1-888-4-HELP-BAY (1-888-443-5722) for assistance.

All
Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the donations
of time and money by people in the Bay Area. If you are interested in
helping residents affected by home fires and other local emergencies,
please call 1-888-4-HELP-BAY or visit http://www.redcrossbayarea.org

For additional ways to donate please visit EmpowerSF - http://www.empowersf.org/sfgivesback/

Mayor Announces Highest On-Time Performance for Muni

Mayor
Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
(SFMTA), which operates the Municipal Railway (Muni), announced today
that Muni achieved the highest recorded annual on-time performance (OTP)
rate of any fiscal year since recordkeeping on OTP began.The
Agency’s 73.5 percent OTP for FY09-10 is a high-water mark, up from
69.2 percent in July 2006 when the SFMTA began keeping the statistic.

“In
spite of $220 million in state transportation cuts and difficult budget
challenges, I am very encouraged that Muni has maintained and even
improved its on-time performance in the last year,” said Mayor Gavin
Newsom.  “We still have a long way to go to reach our goals, but I am
confident we can restore service and make even greater improvements to
Muni’s reliability through continued efficiency and common-sense
reform.”

In addition to the record-high annual OTP, the SFMTA has also posted
encouraging numbers in two other important areas of service delivery.
The Agency’s “Scheduled Service Hours Delivered” metric held steady at
96.6 percent. While this still falls short of the SFMTA’s stated goal,
it represents steady forward progress towards delivering reliable
service to Muni riders. This statistic is an indicator of how crowded
buses get and how frequently they pass-up customers.

Additionally, the SFMTA reported that on Tuesday, September 6, the Agency delivered
99 percent of service hours under the new partially restored schedule.
This signifies operator and equipment availability to deploy and
maintain a more robust schedule. Read more

San Francisco Achieves 77% Landfill Diversion Rate, the Highest of Any U.S. City

City’s Aggressive Recycling Program Also Creating Jobs & Stimulating Growth of New “Green Economy”

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that
San Francisco achieved 77 percent landfill diversion rates, surpassing
the goal of 75 percent landfill diversion by 2010 and setting national
recycling rate records, the highest of any city in the United States.
New statistics show that the City is up from 72 percent landfill
diversion from the year before.

The figures compiled by the City’s Environment Department for 2008
show that San Francisco diverted just over 1.6 million tons of
material—double the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge—through recycling,
composting and re-use. Of this only 560,000 tons went to landfill, the
lowest disposal on record.

“San Francisco is showing once again that doing good for our
environment also means doing right by our economy and local job
creation,” said Mayor Newsom. “For a growing number of people, recycling
provides the dignity of a paycheck in tough economic times. The
recycling industry trains and employs men and women in local
environmental work that can’t be outsourced and sent overseas, creating
ten times as many jobs as sending material to landfills.” Read more.

City Announces State Grant for Affordable Housing in Mission Bay

California Department of Housing & Community Development
Names Mission Bay a Model for Sustainable Development & Establishes
Mission Bay as a Priority for Future State and Federal Funding

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the
Mission Bay redevelopment project has been designated as one of 5 Gold
Level “California Catalyst Communities” by the California Department of
Housing Community Development (HCD) and will receive a $1,350,000 state
grant. The Catalyst Community designation, part of HCD’s California
Sustainable Strategies Pilot Program, is given to communities that are
models of sustainable development and demonstrate a commitment to
increasing housing supply and affordability, improving the link between
jobs and housing, stimulating job creation and enhancing transportation
choices. The City will receive $1,350,000 to support affordable housing
in Mission Bay. This designation establishes Mission Bay as a priority
for future State and Federal funding. Read more.

Mayor Launches New Anti-Truancy Partnership

Mayor Gavin Newsom today launched a new citywide anti-truancy
education campaign in partnership with local small businesses to combat
truancy among San Francisco students. Joined by Superintendent Carlos
Garcia and Board of Education Vice President Hydra Mendoza, today’s
launch focused on the lower 24 th Street small business corridor in the
Mission District and will soon be implemented in small businesses
corridors citywide.

“Combating truancy and chronic absences through an aggressive,
focused and coordinated effort must be our shared priority this school
year,” said Mayor Newsom. “By enlisting the help of small businesses,
merchants and the entire community to keep kids in school, we can close
the ‘graduation gap’ and help our students succeed for the future.” Read more.

Mayor Newsom's Video Update

Mayor Newsom highlights three economic redevelopment projects signed
within the last few weeks: Hunters Point Redevelopment Project, Transbay
Transit Center & Treasure Island project in addition to the opening
of Blick Arts Materials and SF Arts Market in Central Market this week.

Watch now on YouTube.

Mayor Announces Sunday Streets on August 22nd

Penguins to Penguins route from the California Academy of
Sciences in Golden Gate Park to the San Francisco Zoo on Ocean Beach on
Sunday, August 22nd

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the
return of Sunday Streets on Great Highway on Sunday, August 22nd.
Reprising the popular Penguins to Penguins theme with a 4.5-mile route
that runs the nearly the entire length of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park,
Sunday Streets on Great Highway connects the existing Sunday car-free
area to MLK Drive to Ocean Beach along the Great Highway from Lincoln to
Sloat Boulevards.

“Since 2008, San Francisco has produced 14 successful Sunday Streets
events to activate our neighborhoods and communities in a unique and fun
way to promote healthy active lifestyles. San Francisco has produced
more car-free events than any other major city,” said Mayor Newsom.
“These events are collaborations between City agencies, non-profit
partners, sponsors, and community leaders to showcase each
neighborhood’s Sunday Streets route, and this weekend’s event highlights
many of the unique features and institutions on the Westside of our
City including our world class Golden Gate Park and zoo.” Read more.

Mayor Announces $50 Million Grant for New Public Safety Network

The U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) and Mayor Newsom today announced the
award of a $50.6 million grant to build a broadband communications
network for Bay Area public safety agencies.  This network is one the
first of its kind in the nation to be built utilizing the 700MHz
spectrum, recently vacated by television stations.


The
grant will fund the Bay Area Wireless Enhanced Broadband (BayWEB)
project, which will provide Bay Area emergency responders with a
dedicated and prioritized broadband communications system.  The system
will allow fire, police and other public safety officials to transmit
information more quickly and efficiently, during both day-to-day
operations and major emergencies.  For example, new broadband
applications can enable responders to view the layout of a burning
building before entering it or transmit video images from an accident
scene.


“When a major earthquake or disaster strikes next in the Bay Area, a
regional, secure and dedicated communications network for our first
responders will literally save lives, prevent further damage and protect
public health and safety,” said Mayor Newsom. “I am proud that, working
together with cities and our public safety and law enforcement agencies
throughout the region, the Bay Area will now be one of the nation’s
first regions to deploy this innovative emergency broadband
communications network.”

Treasure Island Transfer Agreement Signed

Transfer of Treasure Island to San Francisco will clear way for
environmentally sustainable development project, create thousands of
permanent and construction jobs.

Mayor Gavin Newsom, House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi, and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today signed the terms
for the conveyance of former Naval Station Treasure Island from the Navy
to the City. The terms of the agreement include a guaranteed payment
to the Navy of $55 million followed by an interim payment of another $50
million, plus an additional share of potential further profits. The
agreement also requires the inclusion of transactional protections
customary in the private sector for these types of transactions. Led by
Speaker Pelosi, the terms of the transfer were solidified in the 2010
National Defense Authorization Act. Read more.