Hello Shared Spaces friends,
I need your help.

I was excited yesterday to learn that the San Francisco Economic Recovery Task Force's final report included my recommendation of extending Shared Spaces at least three years. It was not in the final draft, but I pushed back and insisted the task force make a specific recommendation - that a vague suggestion to extend the program was toothless. My push back was apparently successful in persuading our co-chairs to adopt a recommendation of three years (thank you Assessor Chu, Treasurer Cisneros, Rodney Fong, and Rudy Gonzalez!). 

I was even more excited to see that Mayor Breed respond to the report by putting extending Shared Spaces at the top of her list of immediate action items, and amazingly she said that some parts of the program should be permanent. I could not agree more. 

But unfortunately that does not mean this is a done deal. 

The SF Small Business Commission's resolution in July asked that the program be extended three years. This resolution was approved unanimously 7-0. You can read our resolution here.

Here's the relevant bit: 
"RESOLVED, that the Shared Spaces program will remain in effect for at least three years, or for the duration of the economic crisis so that businesses, artists, and communities are incentivized to invest in, and beautify the City for all"

Supervisor Mar took up our resolution (thank you Supervisor!), and took it to the Board of Supervisors. Before a resolution is introduced there is usually a bunch of conversations behind the scenes as Supervisors provide feedback on what they might be willing to support. The Shared Spaces resolutions was mostly unchanged (a few no longer relevant items were removed), and you can see it is essentially the same resolution, but importantly the three year recommendation was, in my opinion, watered down significantly.
This is what the Board voted on and passed: 

"FURTHER RESOLVED, A hearing regarding the Shared Spaces program should be held to assess the implementation, metrics, benefits and impacts of the Shared Spaces Program, to inform the timeline for the duration of the Shared Spaces Program, requesting that OEWD, SFMTA, the Planning Department, the Entertainment Commission, Small Business Commission, SFFD, Public Works and Recreation and Parks Department to report on their prioritization and administration of equity goals through Shared Spaces."

San Francisco has a habit and practice of elevating the voices of a few isolated objectors over the needs of the community as a whole. See Heather Knight's article below on how one person was able to bring important projects to a complete halt. I have seen this play out over and over again during my short time in City Hall. I think we are going to get Shared Spaces legislation, but I do worry that when we get it, it won't be everything it should be. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make our City magical, and I believe Shared Spaces has a big role to play in making that magic happen. 

So here's the ask: 

Petitions really can make a difference with Supervisors. I know it sounds silly and ridiculous, but even a couple hundred voices can change votes. The fact is that most citizens don't engage in local government, so when they do, it gets the attention of policy makers. We already have a strong petition with over 250 signatures. But I'd like to have over 1,000. That will help *A LOT* when the Supes have a hearing on Shared Spaces later this month.

Can I get you to share this petition with your friends and on your social media? If you have shared it previously, can you share it again?

I appreciate all of your support for the Shared Spaces program. And I know our local small businesses are also grateful for your support. It's been amazing watching commercial corridors come alive. I love seeing the musicians come out and perform. I'm looking forward to a City that is better than what we had before, and I'm confident we can get there. 

Thank you!

Sharky Laguana
President, SF Small Business Commission*

*For identification purposes only