‘Monster in Mission’ builder makes new pitch amid protest
After more than two years of relative quiet, the “Monster in the Mission” — a contentious 330-unit development proposal next to the 16th Street BART Station — has resurfaced with a new campaign to win the hearts and minds of local residents.
But, based on the reception Thursday night, the long respite did little to assuage their concerns.
The developer, Maximus, held a shindig for Mission District business owners Thursday night at the Mission Language and Vocational School on 19th Street. The social was invitation-only, and four San Francisco police officers stood guard in case any interlopers should attempt to sneak in for free refreshments.
But for those not invited, there was plenty of entertainment outside on the sidewalk. About 40 protesters, who have long demanded the city reject the Maximus plan and buy the parcel for affordable housing, gathered with the customary bullhorns, clipboards and banners.
Signs read: “No Monster In The Mission” and “No More Luxury Towers.”
“There are more people out here protesting than there are in their meeting right now,” protester Diana Martinez shouted to a cheering crowd.
Maximus spokesman Joe Arellano said that while the project developer has kept a low profile, a pro-development group, Mission for All, has been busy knocking on doors in the Mission as well as in adjacent districts such as the Castro and Bernal Heights. Maximus partisans wore “I am not a monster” stickers to Thursday’s protest.
“This is obviously trench warfare — block by block — and we have to really earn the support of everyone we can,” Arellano said. “That’s why we are treating it like a political campaign.”
Look for the developer to sweeten the pot before it heads to the Planning Commission for a vote in November. While the last proposal called for 41 units of affordable housing, with an additional 49 units to be built at a different site later, that offering is clearly not going to win many supporters.
Arellano acknowledged as much, saying that the developer is now looking at slicing off a piece of the property and giving it to the city for 100 percent affordable housing. In addition, Maximus is hoping to convert some critics at nearby Marshall School by dedicating some units to public schoolteachers. The developer has also agreed to renovate the school’s playground.
“This is just the first of many meetings we’re going to have in the community,” he said.
— J.K. Dineen Arce is a builder: Civil rights lawyer Joshua Arce has been tapped to lead San Francisco’s CityBuild, which provides job training and placement services for residents looking to enter the construction industry.
Overseen by the Office of Economic and Workplace Development, CityBuild provides hands-on courses in welding, electrical work, carpentry, plumbing, cement masonry and other skilled trades. Up to 50 trainees can enroll in the program each year.
San Francisco residents who complete the 18-week courses can then apply to enter a trade union and are given assistance in finding work.
“I’m thrilled to get to work and help others get to work as well,” said Arce, who ran unsuccessfully for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ District Nine seat last year. “This is a program I have so much respect for, because it allows San Francisco residents to benefit from the city’s prosperity.”
Arce’s first day on the job as CityBuild director will be Sept. 11.
— Dominic Fracassa