June 3rd Election Results

The results are in!

The prop to end rent control (98) did not pass! YAY.

More disturbing was the results of Prop F and Prop G:
Allowing Lener Corp to develop the land in Hunter's Point into Luxury Condos without having to comply with city wide standards for mixed income housing options.
Here's a great article on the subject: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/04/BAR51107QK.DTL

Prop F: LOST - 40 % - 60 %
There will be no set City policy on affordable housing in future development of Candlestick Point and Hunters Point. Before leasing or selling the property to developers, the City would will not require that half of the housing to be developed would be "affordable" to a range of income levels that are consistent with existing City law. (as prop F proposed)

Prop G: WON 60 % - 40 %
Allowing Lennar to build luxury highrise condos, and possibly a football stadium, on a large area of parkland and the former shipyard, in exchange for free land.

The campaign for Prop G set city records:
"Lennar spent an estimated $3.4 million on the campaign. The millions of dollars put toward promoting the measure and defeating Prop. F. broke city funding records for a local ballot measure, according to the San Francisco Ethics Commission." (sfgate)

Rejuvenating a whithering community is a good thing helping to the city as a whole move forward economically however the gentrification of a low income area and the displacement of its residents only benefits the wealthy:
"Supporters (of Prop F) have raised concerns that Lennar's proposed development, instead of improving housing conditions for existing residents, could displace them." (sfgate)

This distresses me personally because of my employment at an art studio only several blocks away from the area. For the last 5 months I have been assisting Taraneh, a working artist and a professor at CCA, 3 days week. She has curated and participated in shows all around the Bay Area and the country. Her large and affordable studio space in Bay View allows her to continue her work in a thriving artist community - Yosemite Place.

When Lennar starts to redevelop the area, rents will inevitably rise many artists along with low income residents to move to more affordable locations. But Where? This city is certainly running low on affordable housing options.