BCNA news: Holiday party on Dec. 7

It’s time again for the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association Holiday Party – a chance to meet and mingle with fellow members, or sign up and join if you’re not yet in the group.

It will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Holding Company in 2 Embarcadero Center.

Complimentary appetizers will be served and a no-host bar is available. No RSVP required.

The BCNA is urging all neighbors to join the group so it can continue to protect the quality of life in the area. You may begin or renew your voting membership for 2015 online using PayPal or by printing the form and mailing it to BCNA, 640 Davis St., No. 28, San Francisco, CA 9411.

BCNA President Bob Harrer sent an email with the following details about the group:

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Dear Friend and Neighbor,

The Northeast Waterfront continues to evolve as the strengthening economy fosters more growth and development in the City.  At present there are a number of projects proposed for our area.  Just to name a few:

• The Port is proposing affordable housing at the corner of Broadway and Front
• Teatro ZinZanni is proposing a theater/hotel project at Broadway and the Embarcadero
• The Port is planning to establish significant retail/commercial enterprises on Pier 29

The specific outcomes of these proposals are yet to be determined.  Rest assured that the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association (BCNA) will continue to monitor events and advocate for positive change that will preserve and improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.  We strongly support open space, recreation, appropriate residential and commercial development, and resources for children along the Waterfront.  We will continue to work hard to fight inappropriate development, traffic congestion, parking problems, crime, noise and other issues.  Our board members stay informed by participating in a number of advisory groups. At the same time, we also  seek to bring the neighborhood together by sponsoring periodic social events.

One way you can continue to be informed and participate in all the activity is by renewing your membership in the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association.  We are a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Thus, all of our accomplishments are made possible only by your dues. We greatly appreciate your past membership and hope to have your continued support.

The BCNA has had another active year as the 2014 “Accomplishments” sheet below demonstrates.  I encourage you to visit our website (www.BarbaryNeighbors.org) to remain up-to-date with our activities and provide us with your feedback.

Thank you in advance for your support of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association.  If you have any neighbors you think might be interested in joining the BCNA, please be sure to pass this information along to them.

Sincerely,

Bob Harrer

President

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Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association

Accomplishments

(2014)

Pursued Key Projects:

• Engaged with key agencies and groups on waterfront development.  Placed high priority on advocacy regarding the Port’s proposed Affordable Housing project at Broadway and Front streets.  We seek a project that will benefit the neighborhood with housing for moderate-income households while addressing design, transportation and environmental concerns, among others.
• Endorsed Proposition B regulating height of waterfront development projects.
• Upgraded BCNA website to be more relevant, informative, and interactive. Transitioned from a newsletter format.  Articles written by June Osterberg now appear in Geri Koeppel’s Barbary Coast News.

Represented the Neighborhood:

• Continued our strong relationship with our District Supervisor and President of the Board of Supervisors David Chiu.  Contacted him on various issues including affordable housing.
• Supported the proposed ordinance to halt new liquor licenses for non-restaurant businesses along Broadway for two years.
• Proposed new lighting in Sue Bierman Park with GGTA to improve quality of life in the area. This involved meeting (with GGTA) with the SF Recreation & Park Dept. and seeking District 3 funds.
• Successfully opposed the large fare increase proposed for Muni’s F-line.
• Participated in the BCDC-Port Working Group.  This is an advisory group for planning strategies for enhanced public access to the waterfront.
• Served on the Community Police Advisory Board – CPAB providing a formal channel for neighborhood concerns and feedback on crime and safety issues.
• Served on the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group – NEWAG which provides input to the Port on various activities and projects of interest to the neighborhood.
• Participated with the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods – CSFN to address issues common to the city’s neighborhoods.
• Participated in meetings of the eastern neighborhood organizations focusing on common transportation issues.

Sponsored Forums and Information

• Published numerous articles in the Barbary Coast News chronicling the issues that matter most to Barbary Coasters, including coverage of SF Port happenings, the new Cruise Terminal and the affordable housing project.
• Supported the “National Night Out” event bringing the neighborhood and law enforcement together.
• Hosted a walking tour explaining the history and sights of the legendary Barbary Coast.

Conducted Ongoing Activities:

• Held three neighborhood “Sunday Social” events and a Halloween party, introducing Barbary Coasters to restaurants and lounges in our area, plus giving them a chance to meet and mingle.
• Continued our affiliate relationship with the Golden Gateway Tenants Association to broaden membership and expand the reach of BCNA representation and communications.
• Monitored and provided ongoing feedback on a number of developments affecting Barbary Coast residents including the SWL 322-1 Affordable Housing Project, Congestion Pricing, homelessness, Pier 27 Cruise Terminal, and the relocation of Teatro ZinZanni to Broadway and Embarcadero.