In his op-ed, former Mayor Agnos questions the “proposal to set aside one section of the waterfront for exclusive housing for the wealthiest and, in the process, create a 136-foot high wall on the Embarcadero’s edge – 80 feet higher than the original double deck freeway. It’s called 8 Washington.”  Instead, he urges city officials to back an alternative plan supported by a citywide coalition of neighborhood and community groups including THD that would generate more jobs and tax revenue through a mix of restaurants, retail, and recreation on the 8 Washington site and along the waterfront.

Read former Mayor Agnos’ op-ed by clicking here.

Read more about the proposed 8 Washington Project on THD’s Waterfront Committee page by clicking here.

This edition profiles the artists, shop and gallery owners, poets and cafe-goers who inhabit Grant Avenue and features stories about how the historic Colombo Building was saved from the wrecking ball, what neighbors did to fix a dangerous MUNI shelter, and how artists and poets have banded together to save Coit Tower, and much more.

THD members receive a mailed copy of the Sempahore four times a year.  Become a THD member right now by clicking here:  http://www.thd.org/join-now/

THD is so thrilled to welcome this authentic San Francisco family institution to the heart of our neighborhood.  We encourage residents and visitors to eat (and drink) at Original Joe’s and wish the Duggan family much well-deserved success in the years to come.

Take a look at the menu here:  Original Joe’s Menu

The Civil Grand Jury report, entitled “Central Subway: Too Much Money For Too Little Benefit” echoes concerns raised by THD and many others over the last several years.  Although initial construction for the project is underway, the Chronicle reports that the report comes at a “critical time” when key funding decisions have yet to be made.

The Civil Grand Jury report calls for a major redesign of the project, an independent auditor to investigate spending decisions made to-date, and new funding to first go to improving MUNI bus service on existing underserved routes.  Click here to read more.

Read the full story here:  A High-Rise Condo Project Signals a Change at City Hall

THD has joined together with more than a dozen neighborhood associations and community groups to fight the proposed 8 Washington Project, which would replace a recreation area with a high-rise luxury condo complex on the historic waterfront.

Neighborhood groups are urging the Port of San Francisco to significantly scale down the size of the proposed 8 Washington Project and protect the existing recreation areas and facilities.  Learn more by visiting THD’s Waterfront Page

Click on the link below to visit the KQED Forum page and listen to a rebroadcast of the show and a detailed discussion of the issues:

KQED Forum Radio Show:  Rough Seas for America’s Cup?

Without the hard work and support of the volunteers and members of THD, Telegraph Hill and North Beach would be vastly different from the beloved and special places they are today.

Now, the THD Board is reaching out to our membership to ask you to join us in continuing this essential work!

We are looking for talented and dedicated individuals who would like to join the THD Board of Directors.

Among the positions we are interviewing candidates for are:

- Two Directors to serve 2 year terms on the Board

- Editor of the THD Semaphore (the indefatigable Art Peterson is retiring!)

If you are a THD member and have been looking for the opportunity to make a difference in our community and put your skills to work in a way that will benefit the neighborhood at large, please contact Vedica Puri, Chair of the THD Board Nominating Committee, at Vedica.Puri@thd.org

See the photoessay here:

“Filbert Steps offer ascent through urban growth”

First, the Recreation and Park Department stated in the Request for Proposals sent to potential new concessionaires that they had an “exciting business opportunity” to set up shop at Coit Tower because they would be near murals by Diego Rivera.  That is not true.  As an article in the Bay Citizen on December 5 stated:  “In seeking a new vendor to run the San Francisco landmark, the Rec and Park Department issued a request for proposals that crows: ‘Boasting visitorship of over 200,000 annually, Coit Tower is a must‐see for all tourists, both because of its views and because of the extensive WPA‐era murals, including those by Diego Rivera, throughout the interior.’  But in spite of Rec and Park’s apparent art history revelation, which is repeated several times in the document, there are no murals by Rivera at Coit Tower. And there never have been.”

The SF Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on these documents and consider whether to approve them on Thursday, December 15th at 12:00 noon in Room 400 at SF City Hall.

Download the Final America’s Cup/Cruise Terminal Environmental Study and read more of the SF Planning Department’s America’s Cup environmental review documents here:  http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=1828

THD has joined with over two dozen environmental and community groups as part of the America’s Cup Environmental Council to participate in the process and advocate for changes necessary to make the America’s Cup a winning event — for all of us.

Read the Environmental Council’s letter outlining concerns with the Draft Environmental Study here:  Cover Letter   Comment Letter