2000-06-01 · 28 comments · 21 / 7
Chip Conley · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality
- The company has been in San Francisco for 13
years and they specialize in small, boutique hotels.
- They were selected about 2 years ago for the
project.
- They will provide many amenities for the
neighborhood : 1) a design concept which is complementary to all the variety of
the mid-Embarcadero projects that are occurring including the adaptive re-use
of the Ferry Building w… Founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality
- The company has been in San Francisco for 13
years and they specialize in small, boutique hotels.
- They were selected about 2 years ago for the
project.
- They will provide many amenities for the
neighborhood : 1) a design concept which is complementary to all the variety of
the mid-Embarcadero projects that are occurring including the adaptive re-use
of the Ferry Building which allows for more weekend and nighttime activities.
2) Easy access to the new trolley ?F? line stop. They are funding the cost of
the trolley stop and free retail space to the non-profit Market Street Railway
Company for a trolley memorabilia retail shop. 3) Bathrooms (including
janitorial staff) for the MUNI drivers. 4) Enhancement of the art piece of the
ILWU. 5) Hotel will be union built and union operated. 6) A teen mentor ship
program and job training program for youth. and 7) a sidewalk cafe.
- This will be a transit-friendly hotel by
providing MUNI fast passes to employees, and BART tickets for guests from the
hotel to SFO.show more Ron Mitchel · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
GLNB Worksite Committee Member at Potrero Division for MUNI
- He is not here to talk about ?up? the hotel or
?down? the hotel. He is concerned about the planning of where the buses are
being parked.
- This issue has been talked about in various
GLNB Worksite Committee meetings he has been to.
- The 31 and 9 lines will be put on Main and
Mission. These lines are brutally heavy traveled lines. There is already a lot… GLNB Worksite Committee Member at Potrero Division for MUNI
- He is not here to talk about ?up? the hotel or
?down? the hotel. He is concerned about the planning of where the buses are
being parked.
- This issue has been talked about in various
GLNB Worksite Committee meetings he has been to.
- The 31 and 9 lines will be put on Main and
Mission. These lines are brutally heavy traveled lines. There is already a lot
of traffic at this location therefore would like to have these lines layover at
another location.
- One idea that came out of these Committee meetings
was having all the downtown trolleys go to the Transbay terminal and maybe
putting the motor coaches in another spot. Having the trolleys in one spot is
better for maintenance and switch trolleys if necessary.show more Lloyd Schloegel · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
- The most important aspect of this site is the
transit use.
- This project is located in front of the Ferry
Building.
- The are many more hotels located around this
location therefore there is enough hotel space.
- MUNI should not be in the hotel business, it
should take care of its transit problems.
- This project should be rejected.
Garrett Jenkins · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
President of the North
Market Planning Coalition
- The traffic impact will increase.
- One of the reasons the Embarcadero Freeway
came down was to get a better view of the bay. There are 20 other projects that
are being planned on the waterfront which means that the open space will be
lost. There are restaurants being planned even closer to the bay which will
block the view even more.
- The proposed hotel project … President of the North
Market Planning Coalition
- The traffic impact will increase.
- One of the reasons the Embarcadero Freeway
came down was to get a better view of the bay. There are 20 other projects that
are being planned on the waterfront which means that the open space will be
lost. There are restaurants being planned even closer to the bay which will
block the view even more.
- The proposed hotel project will bring MUNI a
lot of money, yet if the corporate citizens really wanted to improve MUNI
service, they would accept a transit assessment.show more Gerald Cauthen · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
Transportation Engineer - He came to San Francisco about 30 years ago.
- He is worried about the infrastructure and
it?s ability to keep up with what is happening to the City.
- It is obvious that MUNI is barely keeping up
with the status quo.
- The key issue is the way the streets are
formed in San Francsico.
- It is advantageous to have an off street
facility.
- It is impossible to compare an ugly facility
to a beautiful hotel.
Dave Osgood · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
Representing Rincon Center
Tenants Association
- There is no information provided to back up
the data on transit.
- MUNI has neglected this site.
- There have been a lot of letters written to
newspapers regarding concerns about traffic.
- There are many articles regarding transit in
the newspapers recently.
Michael Levin · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
- He is a 7 day a week MUNI rider, he is very
concerned about what happens with MUNI.
- He is not totally opposed to constructing a hotel
on this site yet he wants to be persuaded that this is a good project.
- He has great respect for the developer.
- The current design does not complement the
buildings in the area.
- There have been very poorly designed buildings
in the City.
Norman Rolfe · spoken · 2000-06-01 · oppose
San Francisco Tomorrow - A previous speaker mentioned that they have
concerns on this project but in reality they are totally opposed. Citizens for
a Better District 6 are opposed to this project as well.
- Transit first is the city policy and is
established in the City Charter.
- This project will make MUNI operations more
expensive and more difficult, less in service reliability, and degrade
passenger ambiance.
… San Francisco Tomorrow - A previous speaker mentioned that they have
concerns on this project but in reality they are totally opposed. Citizens for
a Better District 6 are opposed to this project as well.
- Transit first is the city policy and is
established in the City Charter.
- This project will make MUNI operations more
expensive and more difficult, less in service reliability, and degrade
passenger ambiance.
- The lay over terminal should be improved
properly in accordance with the mid-Embarcadero plan.show more Ken Maley · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Long time user of the Embarcadero
- Supports the project as it is, as well as the
project developer.
Kim Martinson · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Executive Director of the Transportation Management Association
- Confirms the commitment of the project sponsor
to become a member of their organization.
- She commends the developer for the effort to
offer MUNI passes to employees and BART tickets for guest.
Doug Wright · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- Read a letter of Rudy Nothemberg who served as
the City?s Chief Administrative Officer, General Manager of the PUC, and most
recently as the president of the Transportation Commission.
- Urges Commission to move forward on this
project.
Nancy Ellen · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Lives at Rincon Center and owns a retail store there.
- The busses provide odors and sloppiness to the
area.
- The structure will not block anybody?s views.
- Welcomes this addition to the neighborhood.
- Even though there are 2 other hotels in the
area, there is still much needed space for hotel guests.
Paul Zeiger · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
President of the local marketing
- This is a wonderful proposed project.
- They are constantly frustrated with the lack
of hotels in San Francisco.
- This will also be a visual benefit to the
area.
- This project will provide much needed income
to transit.
Rick Laubscher · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Small Business Owner, member of the Board of the Market Street Railway
- They support MUNI?s operation of historic
transit in San Francisco.
- This project will generously provide income to
MUNI for improvements.
- They will have a location in the building to
serve as a Transit Museum.
- The relocation of the current bus lines will
serve public better.
- This development will be the most
transit-oriented project ever.
Ray Antonio · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
President of Transport Local Union
- Represents MUNI operators.
- The issues brought up during construction and
post construction have been addressed.
Charles Hardy · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- He works at Boulevard Restaurant.
- He takes MUNI to work.
- The windows of the restaurant will show a
nicer view than the present lot.
Clark Manus · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Project Architect - Site constraints include: Proposition K shadow
plane at Justin Herman Plaza South, MUNI vent shaft at northeast section of the
site, turn back tunnel structure which is underneath the site, the ?F? line,
the ILWU commemorative piece, and a piece of land that?s on the Embarcadero
side.
Frederick Hobson · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- This project is in District 6 -
Tenderloin/Civic Center.
- Founder of an organization called People that
Care about San Francisco.
- His concerns have been answered.
- This project will have art growth,
- This project will replace an ugly-looking
site.
- This project is union friendly and that?s nice
to see in the corporate world.
Ray Patlan · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Local Artist - He and 9 other artists were commissioned to
design a commemorative piece that stands on the corner of Mission and Steuart
Streets.
- This project will enhance the area not only
for the art peace but also with the other benefits.
Cathy Riggins - Embarcadero YMCA
- There will be adequate parking after the
construction of the hotel, which was a concern for the YMCA.
- She was happy to hear that passes would be
given to employees.
Michael Dellar · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Co-proprietor of One Market Restaurant
- They have taken an active interest with MUNI.
They have had many meetings with MUNI and their consultants.
- As a neighborhood retailer, he is excited
about this project.
- All of the other food service establishments
are in agreement with the construction.
Tho Do · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Secretary/Treasurer of Local 2 Union
- The union supports the project because the
developer has respected the needs of union members, the new hotel development
will create many union jobs with many benefits to the members; they respect the
union to organize, etc.
- The ILWU sculpture will be permanently
displayed.
- Would like Commission to approve this project.
Kelly Cullan · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Executive Director of Tendorloin Neighborhood Development Organization
- The neighborhood was amazed and delighted when
they opened a hotel in the tenderloin area.
- He has known the developer for many years and
knows that they have worked with the community.
- This project is a transit -friendly project.
Roberta Acktenburg · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- She is here on her behalf and on behalf of the
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
- This project is a win for the City, MUNI, the hospitality
industry, numerous increases in jobs for San Franciscans, youth, the
Waterfront, and the quality of life in San Francisco.
- She will love to get on a MUNI line at her
home in Noe Valley and travel to the Embarcadero and enjoy the benefits that
these developers will provide.
Sue Backman · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- She has the largest retail tenant of the
Rincon Center which is directly across the street of the project. She is in
support of the project.
- In 1993, they were approached by the owners of
the Rincon Center to create a nighttime and weekend destination venue in a
neighborhood which closed early in the evening. Therefore, Chaulker?s was
created.
- There is much more activity and the
neighborhood is increasingly m… - She has the largest retail tenant of the
Rincon Center which is directly across the street of the project. She is in
support of the project.
- In 1993, they were approached by the owners of
the Rincon Center to create a nighttime and weekend destination venue in a
neighborhood which closed early in the evening. Therefore, Chaulker?s was
created.
- There is much more activity and the
neighborhood is increasingly more dynamic.
- The hotel developers have address the parking
issues.
- MUNI can use the revenue which it will
receive.show more Jim Mathias · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
- Read a letter from Tom Redulevitch, BART
Director from District 9, which is in support of the project.
- Many joggers have plenty of room now to
peacefully jog and have a nicer view than a lot filled with buses.
Ellen Kwan · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Representing Chinatown Transportation Research and Improvement Project.
- This project has been around for about 25
years. It was formed since the 1976 MUNI bus strike. TRIP has always been
concerned about transportation, with transit as number 1.
- This project is truly needed for MUNI to
increase their service and make service better.
- Although MUNI has to redirect their buses, the
benefits for MUNI are much greater than re-directing traffic.
Jim Chappell · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
SPUR - They have been involved in the redesign of
this neighborhood for about 20 years.
- They have wanted to get rid of that bus yard
and replace with something better and nicer.
- This is a way for MUNI to turn an underutilized
resource into income.
- Having private/public partnerships is the way
of the future.
- Hotel is the ideal use. It is the most public
of all public uses and requires very little parking.
… SPUR - They have been involved in the redesign of
this neighborhood for about 20 years.
- They have wanted to get rid of that bus yard
and replace with something better and nicer.
- This is a way for MUNI to turn an underutilized
resource into income.
- Having private/public partnerships is the way
of the future.
- Hotel is the ideal use. It is the most public
of all public uses and requires very little parking.
- This is an ideal project all the way around.show more Jim Haas · spoken · 2000-06-01 · support
Chair, Committee for Waterfront Organ Pavilion
- Has been involved in the neighborhood for more
than a decade.
- Before the area was a layover for MUNI, it was
just a wasteland created from the 1958 freeway. The area was not very
attractive, therefore constructing a beautifully-designed hotel will improve
the area.
- The architect designed the hotel to be
compatible with the organ project.
- An EIR for the organ … Chair, Committee for Waterfront Organ Pavilion
- Has been involved in the neighborhood for more
than a decade.
- Before the area was a layover for MUNI, it was
just a wasteland created from the 1958 freeway. The area was not very
attractive, therefore constructing a beautifully-designed hotel will improve
the area.
- The architect designed the hotel to be
compatible with the organ project.
- An EIR for the organ pavilion project will be
applied for right away.
- Would like Commissioners to support the
project.show more