By Anna M. Hibble:

I noticed today that the street cleaning signs on 9th Ave include now some tiny fine print: Along with NO PARKING TUESDAYS, or on the other side of the street, FRIDAYS, and the no-no hours, the signs now also say “First and Third Tuesday/Friday of the Month.” Awesome! Less tickets for me. But on a serious note, why would the DPT scale back on what has to be the biggest weekly racket ever to fill city coffers? Has to be a budget measure, right? Cutting back the street cleaning crews hours (and maybe the parking/ticketing guys too) should save SF some money, though I find it hard to believe it will save more money than the future missed tickets might have made. Still, I took this move as a sign that for once, San Francisco leaders are trying to meet budget shortfalls by spending less. Usually, their moves are more pass-it-to-the-resident, like doubling parking tickets, raising residential permit fees, raising meter rates. etc., etc., ad naseum. Nice to see some fiscal responsibility.

Indeed, Mayor Newsom has to show this responsibility. The Chronicle reported yesterday that SF faces a $250 million dollar deficit, and I don’t think we can count on George W. Bush to bail us out since he has proven to be this city’s biggest fan– a favor we return in our bid to name a sewage plant after the soon to depart President. Some of Newsom’s ideas then (as quotes in the Chron article):

  • Capital spending. Fast-track about $5.3 billion worth of capital projects that are scheduled for the next five years. Projects could include improving the city’s water system, upgrading Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport and building new parks and libraries.
  • Foreign investment. Encourage foreign companies, specifically in China, to expand and grow in San Francisco and invest in large construction projects.
  • Local tourism. Shift tourism advertising campaigns from overseas markets to the Bay Area, encouraging local residents to plan vacations and do their shopping in San Francisco. Also change parking and transit policies to make it easier for residents to spend their money in San Francisco, and help spruce up the city’s major visitor areas, including the Moscone Center.

  • Cost reductions for local businesses. Consider removing some fees for businesses and developers and offer targeted tax incentives for companies that increase jobs or expand their operations. Also help businesses take advantage of state and federal tax credit programs.

Curbed’s read of this proposal is pretty negative, and most commenters there took the chance to rail against the upcoming election’s Prop B (Affordable Housing). Me, I don’t know. Everything’s such a mess these days! I’m just going to try to be stoked about the roll back on parking restrictions.

Newson proposes economic stimulus plan [SF Gate]
‘George W Bush Sweage Plan’ Proposed in San Francisco [The Huffington Post]

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