Mayor Lee Announces Recipients of City Grants to Green & Beautify Neighborhoods
Investments in Environmentally Sustainable Improvement Projects will Green & Beautify City Streets, Schools & Parks
Mayor Edwin M. Lee and City Administrator Naomi Kelly announced $1.2 million in matching Community Challenge Grants to residents, businesses, schools, non-profits and community groups to make neighborhood greening and beautification improvements. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) also contributed funding for projects with stormwater benefits to the City’s sewer system.
“These are innovative projects that were created and inspired by residents and businesses who will be making improvements to their own neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lee. “Community Challenge Grants help all of San Francisco’s diverse communities improve their streets, parks and schools while enhancing the economic vitality and vibrancy of our City.”
Funding for Community Challenge Grants comes from City businesses that voluntarily designate one percent of their business tax toward Community Challenge Grants. The program is an important tool for communities who want to leverage public and private dollars to undertake neighborhood improvement projects.
“We are allowing the creative ideas generated from grassroots community groups to become reality,” said City Administrator Kelly. “Many of these projects to improve our City’s quality of life and environmental health would never be implemented if not for the Community Challenge Grants program.”
The bulk of the awards are for permeable sidewalk landscaping, public artwork, graffiti and litter abatement, community gardens and gathering spaces, equitably covering all areas of the City.
A portion of Community Challenge Grants are supported by the SFPUC under the Urban Watershed Stewardship Grants. These include sidewalk landscaping, community gardens, and rainwater harvesting systems. SFPUC funded five Urban Watershed Stewardship projects totaling $200,000.
“We’re supporting the growing use of sustainable green technologies in our neighborhoods to wisely manage stormwater,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan H. Kelly Jr. “As we plan for the effects of climate change, these green stormwater strategies are a key part of our long-term upgrade to the city sewer system.”
This year, Community Challenge Grants partnered with the San Francisco Planning Department to provide resources to community groups, businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The new Community Challenge Grants Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plans Pilot Program is geographically focused on projects that create green spaces, gathering places, gardens, mini-parks, public art, and other neighborhood amenities that enhance recreation and open space needs. Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods, are the focus of this pilot program. The Planning Department funded seven projects totaling $275,771.
“Greening San Francisco streets and creating public spaces for the community to enjoy are long-term investments in our neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike,” said Planning Director John Rahaim. “We are looking forward to working with the Community Challenge Grantees to help provide valuable resources that will continue to enhance neighborhood character and safety.”
Community Challenge Grant Program Award Recipients
1. Bayview Hunters Point Foundation Youth Services Program
Awarded: $20,000
Project: Youth employment litter abatement program.
2. Chinatown Community Development Center
Awarded: $16,030
Project: Adopt-An-Alley & Community Clean-Up Program in Chinatown.
3. Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco
Awarded: $100,000
Project: Creation of a community gathering space on the bridge at Portsmouth Square.
4. Community Youth Center of San Francisco
Awarded: $70,000
Project: Creation of an “Asian Themed” community garden in the Bayview.
5. Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH)
Awarded: $40,000
Project: Public art on the Windsor Hotel, facing Boeddeker Park.
6. Diamond Heights Neighbors, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $46,000
Project: Greening & landscaping of the medians on Diamond Heights Boulevard.
7. Dolores Street Community Services, sponsored by SF Clean City Coalition
Awarded: $25,000
Project: Street sweeping & maintenance program along Cesar Chavez Street and the surrounding area.
8. Enterprise for High School Students
Awarded: $57,932
Project: Youth employment summer gardening program.
9. Inner City Youth
Awarded: $26,000
Project: Youth employment litter abatement program in OMI.
10. Nature in the City, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $70,000
Project: Adah’s Stairway Beautification & Greening Project
11. North West Bernal Alliance
Awarded: $12,550
Project: Graffiti abatement program
12. Ocean Avenue Association, sponsored by SF Beautiful
Awarded: $60,000
Project: Creation of two community gathering spaces.
13 Rebirth and Development, Inc.
Awarded: $29,900
Project: Public art & greening project in front of the All In Common Gardens.
14. Revere Neighbors, sponsored by SF Clean Coalition City
Awarded: $29,100
Project: Public art on Revere and Selby Streets.
15. SF Beautiful
Awarded: $14,728
Project: City-wide Public Art Program on MTA buses.
16. SF Beautiful
Awarded: $34,111
Project: Public art & traffic calming project on Broad Street in the OMI.
17. Top of Broadway CBD
Awarded: $30,000
Project: Installation of historical markers in the North Beach neighborhood.
18. UP Urban, Inc.
Awarded: $44,165
Project: Creation of a community gathering space “Dogpatch Arts Plaza.”
19. WalkStop, sponsored by SF Beautiful
Awarded: $33,300
Project: Public art, physical improvements & landscaping at the intersection of Haight and Fillmore Streets.
CCG/SFPUC Urban Watershed Stewardship Grant Program Award Recipients
20. Climate Action Now!, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $25,000
Project: Sidewalk landscaping & creation of community gardens.
21. Community Grows Garden
Awarded: $35,500
Project: Installation of a greenhouse & rainwater catchment system.
22. Far Out West Garden, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $29,500
Project: Community garden & installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
23. Starr King Elementary School, sponsored by the SF Beautiful
Awarded: $93,000
Project: Community garden & installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
24. Lakeshore Elementary School, sponsored by Tuolumne River Trust
Awarded: $17,000
Project: Installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
CCG/SF Planning Market-Octavia Eastern Neighborhood Grant Program (MOEN) Award Recipients
25. Angel Alley Beautification Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $49,310
Project: Community Gathering Space at Tennessee and 22nd Streets.
26. Black Rock Arts Foundation
Awarded: $54,000
Project: Public Art located at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley.
27. Connecticut Friendship Garden Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $46,051
Project: Community & Outdoor Classroom at Connecticut and 22nd Streets.
28. Friends of Fallen Bridge Park/MUNA Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $9,410
Project: Physical improvements at Fallen Bridge Park.
29. Friends of the Urban Forest
Awarded: $32,000
Project: Sidewalk landscaping in the Dogpatch and Potrero Hill neighborhoods.
30. Ivy Street Improvement Committee
Awarded: $30,000
Project: Public Art located in Hayes Valley.
31. Tunnel Top Park Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $55,000
Project: Creation of a mini-park at 25th and Pennsylvania Streets.
“These are innovative projects that were created and inspired by residents and businesses who will be making improvements to their own neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lee. “Community Challenge Grants help all of San Francisco’s diverse communities improve their streets, parks and schools while enhancing the economic vitality and vibrancy of our City.”
Funding for Community Challenge Grants comes from City businesses that voluntarily designate one percent of their business tax toward Community Challenge Grants. The program is an important tool for communities who want to leverage public and private dollars to undertake neighborhood improvement projects.
“We are allowing the creative ideas generated from grassroots community groups to become reality,” said City Administrator Kelly. “Many of these projects to improve our City’s quality of life and environmental health would never be implemented if not for the Community Challenge Grants program.”
The bulk of the awards are for permeable sidewalk landscaping, public artwork, graffiti and litter abatement, community gardens and gathering spaces, equitably covering all areas of the City.
A portion of Community Challenge Grants are supported by the SFPUC under the Urban Watershed Stewardship Grants. These include sidewalk landscaping, community gardens, and rainwater harvesting systems. SFPUC funded five Urban Watershed Stewardship projects totaling $200,000.
“We’re supporting the growing use of sustainable green technologies in our neighborhoods to wisely manage stormwater,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan H. Kelly Jr. “As we plan for the effects of climate change, these green stormwater strategies are a key part of our long-term upgrade to the city sewer system.”
This year, Community Challenge Grants partnered with the San Francisco Planning Department to provide resources to community groups, businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The new Community Challenge Grants Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plans Pilot Program is geographically focused on projects that create green spaces, gathering places, gardens, mini-parks, public art, and other neighborhood amenities that enhance recreation and open space needs. Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods, are the focus of this pilot program. The Planning Department funded seven projects totaling $275,771.
“Greening San Francisco streets and creating public spaces for the community to enjoy are long-term investments in our neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike,” said Planning Director John Rahaim. “We are looking forward to working with the Community Challenge Grantees to help provide valuable resources that will continue to enhance neighborhood character and safety.”
Community Challenge Grant Program Award Recipients
1. Bayview Hunters Point Foundation Youth Services Program
Awarded: $20,000
Project: Youth employment litter abatement program.
2. Chinatown Community Development Center
Awarded: $16,030
Project: Adopt-An-Alley & Community Clean-Up Program in Chinatown.
3. Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco
Awarded: $100,000
Project: Creation of a community gathering space on the bridge at Portsmouth Square.
4. Community Youth Center of San Francisco
Awarded: $70,000
Project: Creation of an “Asian Themed” community garden in the Bayview.
5. Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH)
Awarded: $40,000
Project: Public art on the Windsor Hotel, facing Boeddeker Park.
6. Diamond Heights Neighbors, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $46,000
Project: Greening & landscaping of the medians on Diamond Heights Boulevard.
7. Dolores Street Community Services, sponsored by SF Clean City Coalition
Awarded: $25,000
Project: Street sweeping & maintenance program along Cesar Chavez Street and the surrounding area.
8. Enterprise for High School Students
Awarded: $57,932
Project: Youth employment summer gardening program.
9. Inner City Youth
Awarded: $26,000
Project: Youth employment litter abatement program in OMI.
10. Nature in the City, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $70,000
Project: Adah’s Stairway Beautification & Greening Project
11. North West Bernal Alliance
Awarded: $12,550
Project: Graffiti abatement program
12. Ocean Avenue Association, sponsored by SF Beautiful
Awarded: $60,000
Project: Creation of two community gathering spaces.
13 Rebirth and Development, Inc.
Awarded: $29,900
Project: Public art & greening project in front of the All In Common Gardens.
14. Revere Neighbors, sponsored by SF Clean Coalition City
Awarded: $29,100
Project: Public art on Revere and Selby Streets.
15. SF Beautiful
Awarded: $14,728
Project: City-wide Public Art Program on MTA buses.
16. SF Beautiful
Awarded: $34,111
Project: Public art & traffic calming project on Broad Street in the OMI.
17. Top of Broadway CBD
Awarded: $30,000
Project: Installation of historical markers in the North Beach neighborhood.
18. UP Urban, Inc.
Awarded: $44,165
Project: Creation of a community gathering space “Dogpatch Arts Plaza.”
19. WalkStop, sponsored by SF Beautiful
Awarded: $33,300
Project: Public art, physical improvements & landscaping at the intersection of Haight and Fillmore Streets.
CCG/SFPUC Urban Watershed Stewardship Grant Program Award Recipients
20. Climate Action Now!, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $25,000
Project: Sidewalk landscaping & creation of community gardens.
21. Community Grows Garden
Awarded: $35,500
Project: Installation of a greenhouse & rainwater catchment system.
22. Far Out West Garden, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $29,500
Project: Community garden & installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
23. Starr King Elementary School, sponsored by the SF Beautiful
Awarded: $93,000
Project: Community garden & installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
24. Lakeshore Elementary School, sponsored by Tuolumne River Trust
Awarded: $17,000
Project: Installation of a rainwater harvesting system.
CCG/SF Planning Market-Octavia Eastern Neighborhood Grant Program (MOEN) Award Recipients
25. Angel Alley Beautification Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $49,310
Project: Community Gathering Space at Tennessee and 22nd Streets.
26. Black Rock Arts Foundation
Awarded: $54,000
Project: Public Art located at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley.
27. Connecticut Friendship Garden Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $46,051
Project: Community & Outdoor Classroom at Connecticut and 22nd Streets.
28. Friends of Fallen Bridge Park/MUNA Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $9,410
Project: Physical improvements at Fallen Bridge Park.
29. Friends of the Urban Forest
Awarded: $32,000
Project: Sidewalk landscaping in the Dogpatch and Potrero Hill neighborhoods.
30. Ivy Street Improvement Committee
Awarded: $30,000
Project: Public Art located in Hayes Valley.
31. Tunnel Top Park Committee, sponsored by SF Parks Alliance
Awarded: $55,000
Project: Creation of a mini-park at 25th and Pennsylvania Streets.