No Central Subway Excavation in North Beach
The extension of the Subway tunnels to Washington Square to make a "removal pit" will transform North Beach into something it mustn't be-- and permanently mar its traditional village feeling. With the extension of the Chinatown Subway into the very heart of historic North Beach, the special ambience of this fragile quarter will be greatly diminished.
---Lawrence Ferlinghetti & City Lights Books
Federal lawsuit to stop the Pagoda Option
On November 1, 2013 SaveNorthBeachVillage.org filed a federal lawsuit to stop the Central Subway Pagoda Option. This project proposes to dig two tunnels into historic North Beach with possibly years of construction disruption to businesses and residents. When this 6-year phase is completed there will be no subway station here.
Please consider supporting this legal action by making a donation.
For more information and a copy of the Complaint see the Legal Action page.
August 29, 2014: No on A ($500M Muni bond)
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 3 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, measures before the Planning Commission, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game. (Bocce now has Happy Hour pricing on food and drinks!)
See the comment by "NorthBeachRIP" at Central Subway blog about the near completion of TBM removal at the Pagoda site.
Please throw a party or give something back to the neighbors who had to put up with this nonsense for the last year. They deserve a break from the noise and dirt and a big contribution of cash to replace their interrupted peace 6am until 11pm every day.
August 12, 2014: Pagoda protest; Tenant evictions; No on A ($500M Muni bond); Fun "Night Out"
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Thursday, August 14 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, measures before the Planning Commission, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game. (Bocce now has Happy Hour pricing on food and drinks!)
No 24/7 Pagoda work protest KCBS report on Pagoda noise protest. There were 10–12 of us at the Pagoda site Wednesday, August 6. Photos below. SF Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman composed a poem for the occasion and read it at the Pagoda site protest.
Left: Protester Jack Hirschman photographed by SF Examiner reporter; Right: Lowering the boom on protesters — seems the news made it to Muni HQ.
No vacation rentals Tenants' Rights Group Protests Against 'Illegal' Airbnb Rentals In San Francisco’s North Beach, CBS News, July 29, 2014. Check out the bright green signs that were placed on offending buildings.
No Ellis Act evictions North Beach Tenants Committee is holding a meeting
Tuesday, August 19, 6–8:30 at Tel Hi Center, 660 Lombard
This meeting is held in conjunction with Chinatown Community Development Center and will discuss proposals and legislation to control evictions. A representative from City Hall will be present to participate in the discussions and answer questions. More ...
Vote NO on A - the fall ballot's $500 million Muni bond is a bad idea. Read more ...
Formula Retail Redefined The two proposals for new laws on formula retail were reviewed by the Planning Commission. One proposal is to raise raise the number of stores for formula retail to 20, and the other proposed keeps it at the current 11. Both were approved and sent to the Board of Supervisors for consideration in September.
On the subject of retail business and starting a business in San Francisco, here is a video made by the SF Planning Department that made the rounds a few years back. Based on a true story and hilarious to watch. Opening an ice cream shop. video by SF Planning Dept.
National Night Out SFPD's Central Station organized a National Night Out from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. Many in the neighborhood came out for a free dinner and other giveaways, and met local beat officers along with SFPD Central Station Capt. Lazar.
July 29, 2014: Meet Thurs at 4; Pagoda site 24/7 construction; No Wall on the Hill
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Thursday, July 31 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, measures before the Planning Commission, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
Formula retail vote - the plot thickens On July 17 the Planning Commission reviewed two separate measures, one which would keep 11 stores as the maximum for formula retail and another that would raise the number to 20. The Commission approved both measures and sent them to the Board Of Supervisors to decide which measure, if any, becomes the new law. In mid-July a group of former SF Supervisors signed a letter saying the proposed changes might be illegal - read more. Never a dull moment.
Anti-speculation tax To help bring Ellis Act evictions under control there is an anti-speculation tax measure on the November ballot. Read more.
115 Telegraph Hill Blvd condo development On July 17 the Planning Commission reviewed the plans for a proposed 17,000 sq ft 3-unit condo development on Telegraph Hill at the top of the Filbert Steps. There was a strong showing of neighborhood opposition and some neighborhood acceptance. After a marathon 4-hour session the Planning Commission continued the review until September 11. Click here for Development plans. Click here for Letters of support/opposition.
No Wall on the Hill 115 Telegraph Hill Blvd proposed condos, view from southwest.
Drawing by Stan Teng AIA. See Stan's excellent workup at Letters of support/opposition, starting at page 130.
July 14, 2014: Pagoda site 24/7 construction; Planning Comm measures threaten the neighborhood
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, critical Planning Commission meeting 7/17, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
Preserve the village: chain stores redefined, huge condos atop Tele Hill.
New measures would allow more chain stores in North Beach and SF, and approve development of condos at the top of Filbert Steps.
Both items will be reviewed at the Planning Commission on
- Thursday, July 17, 2014 12:00 p.m.
- City Hall, Room 400,
- 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Come to the meeting and voice your opposition. All items are noted in the agenda as Recommendation: Approve. Click for Meeting agenda:
- Item 11. 115 Telegraph Hill Condos
- Items 12a, 12b. Formula retail: Amendments to include more formula businesses (approx. start 2:00 p.m.)
24/7 Pagoda Construction:
Nearby residents have received notices of 24-hour construction activities at the Pagoda site, in other words, noise all night, everyday.
One month ago the official schedule showed the project taking a long summer break from mid-July to mid-October - see Pagoda construction schedule. Now, in mid-July, they announce 24/7 activity for the next several months.
We can't cure their disorganized project scheduling and conflicting stories, but we can stand as a neighborhood and insist on fair and aboveboard treatment, and insist on a good night's rest without tractors and cranes screeching all night.
Happy Bastille Day!
July 1, 2014: Pagoda site 24/7 construction; Diego eviction protest; Coit Tower WPA murals tour
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Transit Authority study to extend the Central Subway, Ellis Act evictions, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
Pagoda site 24/7 construction. Construction update June 28 - July 07, 2014 Planned construction (Pagoda): Construction hours are 24 hours Monday to Friday with weekend and evening work required at times; The contractor will be removing both TBMs from this site. The contractor is on schedule to complete the major work at this site in the 4th quarter of 2014. With minor restoration activities to follow, the site will be vacated early January 2015. [Note new completion date: — was 2014 as of April 5.]
Video of a TBM (tunnel boring machine) cutting head being craned out of the extraction shaft. KCBS video report, June 25, 2014, Don Ford, KPIX News.
More SFMTA (Muni) troubles Supervisor David Campos presses for SFMTA accountability. According to Supe Campos SFMTA has no overall awareness of the status of its numerous projects and before SF taxpayers give SFMTA more money (e.g. $500M bond on fall ballot) SFMTA must show that it can track its capital projects' schedules and budgets and avoid overruns. Check out the video of Campos grilling Vince Harris, SFMTA Director of Capital Projects.
North Beach rallies behind senior facing eviction Slide show of rally for Diego Deleo of 566 Chestnut St., June 27, 2014, SF Examiner.
79-year-old Diego Deleo is a 30-year resident of 566 Chestnut St. His landlord Mark Coyne is evicting all tenants. A neighborhood group, North Beach Tenants Committee headed by Theresa Flandrich, assembled about thirty residents Thursday afternoon to protest the senior citizen's eviction.
Coit Tower Mural Walk Sponsored by LaborFest 2014. July 6 (Sunday) 9:45 AM (Free). Meet at Coit Tower entrance - 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, SF. With Peter O'Driscoll, Gray Brechin and Harvey Smith. Also see ProtectCoitTower.org.
SFPL Film: Bullitt 12-2 Thurs July 3 Main Library. Other films in the "Made in San Francisco" series in July see SF Public Library Film Series schedule (pdf). All films were set in SF or filmed here. Unfortunately, none are being shown at the NB Branch. Bullitt, Vertigo, Dark Passage, Maltese Falcon, and more.
June 26, 2014: NB Forum next Weds; TBM head removed; SFPL SF Film Series
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Bocce Cafe patio, 478 Green St, 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Transit Authority study to extend the Central Subway, Ellis Act evictions, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
The cutting head of tunnel boring machine (TBM) Big Alma was removed midday Wednesday. Remaining parts of the two
TBMs will be removed over the next 3–4 months.
SF Public Library Film Series schedule (pdf) in July. All films were set in SF or filmed here. Unfortunately, none are being shown at the NB Branch. Bullitt, Vertigo, Dark Passage, Maltese Falcon, and more.
June 18, 2014: North Beach Happy Hour, Secret TBM extraction press event
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Caffe Greco 4 p.m. Thursday, June 19 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
Disruptive Muni projects in North Beach - See the schedule of activities that will close down two lanes of Columbus Avenue during the busiest time of year, and will continue work through the end-of-year holidays.
There was an unannounced press event at the Pagoda site Monday morning to hail the final stages of Central Subway tunneling. Several speakers touted the extension of the subway to the Wharf. Mayor Lee, Supervisor Chiu, and Muni and Central Subway brass were there, but noticeably absent were North Beach residents who weren't told of the event. TBMs live on, June 17, 2014, Jessica Kwong, SF Examiner.
June 13, 2014: Governor & Mayor at Pagoda site, North Beach Happy Hour, Chinatown shaft double-shifted
What's going on in North Beach? Come to Caffe Greco 4 p.m. Thursday, June 19 for an informal gathering. Recent happenings, Ellis Act evictions, construction in the 'hood (when will it stop?) — all topics are fair game.
Governor & Mayor see TBMs Rumor has it that Governor Brown and Mayor Lee will be at the Pagoda site Monday morning. Check the papers early Monday for the start time and to be sure it's happening.
Both tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have arrived at the Pagoda extraction shaft as of early this week. The crews will begin pulling the disassembled machines out of the shaft within the next two weeks.
Long noisy hours in Chinatown Think of the 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 6-day-per-week construction at the Pagoda site during the 2013 end-of-year holidays, then imagine it continuing for months and months. At the Chinatown Station site since early March crews have been working overnight, and since mid-March have been working double shifts to construct the station — 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 6 days per week. To their credit Chinatown folks are complaining and have been heard. The Chinatown Station construction schedule may be impacted by public complaints - see the May 2014 Risk report, Risk 46.
The Jane Jacobs Walk on May 31 was a success.
Columbus Avenue Transit Bulbs and Sidewalk Improvements This Muni project will install "transit bulbs" and wider sidewalks. Columbus Avenue between Filbert & Union will be closed to all but one lane in either direction thru August. With the TBM extraction and roadway and water pipe work going on at the same time this should just about shut down Columbus Avenue and North Beach. Contact these officials to let them know this doesn't work for North Beach.
Lorenzo Petroni remembered, by Howard Wong.
May 28, 2014: Historic walk; Neighborhood food and drink; TBMs rise soon
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| Jane Jacobs Walk route, Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m. |
The first Jane Jacobs walk in North Beach (as far as we know) will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014. It starts at the Firemen statue in Washington Square Park, near the corner of Columbus Ave and Filbert St. More details at Jane Jacobs Walks. After the walk feel free to meet at Rogue Ales patio to continue the conversation.
Meet at the Start (green marker in map) at 11 a.m. Feel free to drop out or jump in at any point on the walk. Meet at Rogue Ales (red marker) starting at noon.
North Beach folks are invited to meet for no-host food and drink at Rogue Ales patio beginning at noon, Saturday May 31. Talk about the latest developments in the neighborhood with friends and residents. We'll have a brief review of No Dig activities over the past year and a summary of the federal suit against Muni if it's finalized by then.
TBMs to see light of day
According to the drilling foreman at the Pagoda site, the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) is close to the extraction shaft (see diagram below). Parts of the TBMs should be coming out of the ground within a few days, and the extraction of both machines should be completed in August.
The above map shows the Pagoda extraction site. The red arrow shows the approximate location of the first TBM as of May 27 as it drills a tunnel toward the site. The second TBM will drill the other tunnel and be at the Pagoda shaft site in a few weeks. The gray arrow in the extraction shaft shows the location of the TBM after it has drilled through the east wall of the shaft. The machines will be about 20 feet underground, and the extraction shaft is a little over 40 feet deep. Note that the first TBM passes under Marini Plaza and just misses the corner of the office building to the south. (Drawing source here, page 8; additional symbols and titles added.)
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| Tunnel boring machine (Mom Chung), about 20 feet in diameter and 36 feel long. |
Pagoda Option costs
The Bank of America grouting project was apparently successful — the TBMs passed underneath the building and there was no movement of the foundation (see April 29 below). Budgeted amount to protect the property for two days of TBM drilling: $1.6 million. Guess you gotta do what you gotta do.
Tunnel drilling from Chinatown Station to the Pagoda site: about $70 million.
Cost to demolish the Pagoda Theatre and dig the extraction shaft: $9.7 million (100% City funds, no federal or state funds will be used).
Total cost of the Pagoda Option: about $80 million.
Total salvage value of the two extracted TBMs: $4.4 million.
Future of the Pagoda site
The City is doing a $173K study to determine if an extension of the Central Subway from Chinatown to Fisherman's Wharf is feasible. Well, that's not hard to figure out. The study is being done by Muni and they will come up with the surprising conclusion on July 1: Yes, it can be done. Good luck building stations in North Beach and the Wharf and mining the additional 1/2 mile of tunnels. If it costs $500 million that's another $1 billion per mile subway. As Steve Taber, who is in charge of SPUR’s work on subway-related issues, often comments: why are we continuing to build transit in small segments without a city-wide plan?
May 23, 2014: Historic walk; Neighborhood food and drink; Help the Pelican movie
The first Jane Jacobs walk in North Beach (as far as we know) will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014. It starts at the Firemen statue in Washington Square Park, near the corner of Columbus Ave and Filbert St. Map and more details at Jane Jacobs Walks. After the walk feel free to meet at Rogue Ales patio to continue the conversation.
North Beach folks are invited to meet for no-host food and drink at Rogue Ales patio beginning at noon, Saturday May 31. Talk about the latest developments in the neighborhood with friends and residents. We'll have a brief review of No Dig activities over the past year and a summary of the federal suit against Muni if it's finalized by then.
Some unfortunate stories:
Number-Crunched: For LaVonda Atkinson, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, May 14, 2014, Joe Eskenazi, SF Weekly.
The former cost engineer for Muni's Central Subway project took a leave of absence last month out of frustration that the agency is "ripping off the taxpayers."
Her courageous whistle-blowing activities that pointed out serious financial problems with the Central Subway have affected her employment opportunities, and she has had to file for bankruptcy.
Thrown Under the Bus: Police Blame a 78-Year-Old Cyclist for His Own Death, April 30, 2014, Joe Eskenazi, SF Weekly.
A 78-year-old cyclist who was crushed under a Muni bus last fall was blamed for his own death. The SFPD report said he rode his bicycle into the bus, though the video from the bus hasn't been released to the victim's attorney.
Pelican Dreams Movie needs your help
GiGi, one of the stars of Pelican Dreams, stops traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. See GiGi, Morro, and thousands of others in Judy Irving's latest movie since Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Judy has only a few days left to raise money to complete the movie through Kickstarter — click here to view a trailer and make a donation. Good luck, Judy!
May 12, 2014: TBMs at the shaft soon; Columbus Ave meeting
TBMs at the shaft
In the next few weeks both tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be at the eastern wall of the Pagoda site extraction shaft. Before the machines drill through the wall, the shaft will be filled with water to provide push back. Once inside the shaft, the machines will be dismantled and hauled away. The extraction process should take about three months, finishing up in August.
The above map shows the Pagoda extraction site. The red arrow shows the approximate location of the first TBM as of May 12 as it drills a tunnel toward the site. The second TBM will drill the other tunnel and be at the Pagoda shaft site in a few weeks. The machines will be about 20 feet underground. The gray arrow in the extraction shaft shows the location of the TBM after it has drilled through the east wall of the shaft. Note that the first TBM passes under Marini Plaza and just misses the corner of the office building to the south. (Drawing source here, page 8; additional symbols and titles added.)
Pagoda Option costs
The Bank of America grouting project was apparently successful — the TBMs passed underneath the building and there was no movement of the foundation (see April 29 below). Budgeted amount to protect the property for two days of TBM drilling: $1.6 million. Guess you gotta do what you gotta do.
Tunnel drilling from Chinatown Station to the Pagoda site: about $70 million.
Cost to demolish the Pagoda Theatre and dig the extraction shaft: $9.7 million (100% City funds, no federal or state funds will be used).
Total cost of the Pagoda Option: about $80 million.
Total salvage value of the two extracted TBMs: $4.4 million.
Future of the Pagoda site
The City is doing a $173K study to determine if an extension of the Central Subway from Chinatown to Fisherman's Wharf is feasible. Well, that's not hard to figure out. The study is being done by Muni and they will come up with the surprising conclusion on July 1: Yes, it can be done. Good luck building stations in North Beach and the Wharf and mining the additional 1/2 mile of tunnels. If it costs $500 million that's another $1 billion per mile subway. As Steve Taber, who is in charge of SPUR’s work on subway-related issues, often comments: why are we continuing to build transit in small segments without a city-wide plan?
Columbus Ave meeting, May 6
This was billed as a neighborhood meeting to explain the planned Columbus Avenue redesign. The meeting room had no seating. There were several "poster sessions," where attendees could walk around to different diagrams of the Columbus plan mounted on poster board and ask questions of the person standing by.
One person manning his posters was architect Robert Mittelstadt of RenewSF. He explained that RenewSF had secured a $150K grant and used it to prepare the Columbus plan. That answered one question, why is there a Columbus plan? Answer: something to spend the grant money on. Other MTA, CTA, and Planning people who had poster sessions tried to justify the Columbus plan as well. "It will reduce pedestrian accidents." (North Beach has a very low rate compared to other SF neighborhoods.) "It will reduce Muni bus congestion on Columbus Avenue." (What bus congestion?) Clearly a bunch of well-meaning but uninformed City employees. Unfortunately, it seems they hadn't spent much time in the neighborhood researching the issues they were supposed to be improving.
The evening poster sessions left the impression that the Columbus plan is a solution in search of a problem.
April 29, 2014: TBMs comin' round the bend; Columbus Ave meeting May 6
... And they're comin' round the bend! As the Pagoda Option tunnel drilling nears the finish line, the next challenge is for the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to make the turn from Stockton St onto Columbus Avenue. This should happen in the next week or so. To make the turn the TBM will have to pass under the northeast corner of the Bank of America building (see map below). All that construction in the parking lot behind the BofA is to be sure the foundation of the building is secure when the TBMs pass beneath.
Tunnel boring machine (TBM) path about 40 feet under the Bank of America building. The red arrow shows the approximate TBM location as of April 25. (Drawing source: BofA lease (colored markings added) >>)
Pagoda Option cost: tunnels from Chinatown Station to the Pagoda site, $70 million; Pagoda site extraction shaft, $10 million. That's $80 million spent to extract two TBMs with a combined salvage value of $4.4 million.
Columbus Avenue proposed redesign information meeting, Tuesday May 6, 7--8:30, Tel-Hi Center 660 Lombard.
April 23, 2014: Central Subway soft corruption blues; CCC rubs it in, again;
Central Subway soft corruption blues: Joe Eskenazi writes in SF Weekly that "Some Wrongs Are Too Big to Make Right." The City thinks it's invincible and may well be ...
CCC rubs it in, again. Two Bites: Muni Service Cuts and Gentrification
From Howard Wong:
Protect Chinatown & North Beach & Muni!
Muni cuts, subways, land values and gentrification. Chinatown, North Beach, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill and the Waterfront are Mediterranean-like villages. But their affordability, beauty, character and diversity are vulnerable to economic forces. In the Wall Street Journal: "Housing costs near rail stops increased after light rail service started."
As Muni cuts surface transit, developers push for costly subways. The Central Subway takes $595 million of state/ local matching funds from the Muni system—cutting service. With cost overruns, more service will be cut.
April 14, 2014: TBM causing SF Ratpocalypse?;
It's likely the tunnel boring machine (TBM) digging the Central Subway is the source of the Friday 4/11 news story, Mouse Infestation Shuts Down SF Chinatown Bakery and Walgreens. On Friday 4/11 the TBM was about 60 feet under Stockton St just north of Broadway, under Walgreens and Mee Mee Bakery.
An advantage of TBMs is that they are underground and can't be felt — by humans. But apparently the little furry critters get spooked, see Ratpocalypse in Seattle. If you're walking along Stockton or Columbus during the next few weeks keep an eye out for local wildlife scampering ahead of the underground TBM vibrations. When the TBM reaches the Pagoda site it will be only 20 feet underground — while waiting for the southbound bus at Columbus and Union you might be able to feel the underground vibrations.
TBM location (circular icon) on SFMTA map (as of 4/10/14, updated every few days).
The cross-section diagram below shows the approximate location of the TBM (Mom Chung) as of Thursday, 4/10. The tunnel is shown by parallel horizontal lines in the purple area.
You can view this drawing at Jan 29 CMB report page 11/60. Also see the TBM progress logs.
April 11, 2014: Pagoda work extended to 2015?; CCC says Fix the MTA!; Rats in broad daylight
- This Friday's Construction update says Pagoda work to continue until early 2015.
- All Construction Updates up through last week have said about the Pagoda work
We plan to complete work at this location in 2014.
- Today's update says
We plan to complete work at this location in early 2015.
- What are they going to do there after the TBM extractions are completed in late June 2014?
- All Construction Updates up through last week have said about the Pagoda work
- CCC says: Fix the MTA!.
- A North Beach resident spots rats in broad daylight. She writes:
Here are a couple of rat photos from around 4pm Thursday afternoon, one at a restaurant door and another at a bus stop (next to guy's foot) ... So pathetic that, as usual, no action will be taken until a child, an elderly person, a pet or anyone, for that matter, is bitten ... the rats just want to be left alone but it's too late. There is no doubt this will only get worse!
Have you seen a rat? Call 311 and report it. Want something done? Contact these officials.
(Rats story in the SF Chronicle, video at NBC News, rat story at KTVU news, video of rats from KTVU.)
April 6, 2014: Oh, Rats!; TBMs coming out soon; The Conspiracy Theory
- R.K. Oytauer is back with "Oh, Rats!"
- Is Washington Square becoming a rat haven?
- Howard Wong analyzes the recent Muni accounting scandal.
- Next phase at the Pagoda site: Pulling the TBMs out of the ground.
A new crane will be needed to haul out the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) from the Pagoda extraction shaft. Some TBM parts weigh more than 100 tons each. A 500-ton crane like the one pictured on the left will replace the current 100-ton crane (right) at the Pagoda site for this next phase.
Starting some time in May, it will take about three weeks to extract each TBM. The entire extraction project will likely finish in late June. Many of the TBM parts are oversize and will have to be trucked away late at night. The cutting head, for example, is a huge disk 22 feet in diameter. It will be placed on a flatbed truck and extend 6 feet or so off both sides.
To reduce the impact on the neighborhood, especially for those who live nearby, it is hoped that the parts will be loaded onto the trucks during the day, and then driven away later. But from past experience with construction at the site they may do all the loading from late evening into the early morning insuring that those who live nearby will not get much peace.
- Alternate next phase: The Conspiracy Theory.
Some observers of the Pagoda extraction, including a few with engineering and construction backgrounds, have suggested that the TBMs might not turn in to the Pagoda extraction site but instead continue drilling subway tunnels north under Columbus Avenue to the Wharf.
There are no plans in place for a tunnel extension and it's not clear how the extra work, something like $100 million worth, could be paid for. In a few weeks we'll know for sure if this actually happens or not.
April 2, 2014: Central Subway hiding millions through faulty accounting; Rats in the Park
- A whistle-blower points out that the Central Subway has been hiding millions through misleading budget and cost reporting. The complete article here about heroic cost engineer LaVonda Atkinson who told the story, written by SF Weekly's Joe Eskenazi.
- Rats in Washington Square Park, probably fleeing the Central Subway work at the Pagoda site.
March 30, 2014: $173K study for Pagoda station?; 3 a.m. Pagoda work
- $173K Muni study to determine the feasibility of extending the Central Subway to Fisherman's Wharf.
- Some have commented that this a way for Supervisor Chiu to claim he is fulfilling his promise of a subway extension to Fisherman's Wharf in advance of the June election for State Assembly ...
- ... While others see it as a way of justifying the City purchasing the Pagoda site for a station.
- The study looks like it will focus on a subway solution, however there are other alternatives such as surface transit at a fraction of the cost.
- 3 a.m. deliveries of concrete to the Pagoda retrieval shaft are scheduled to begin April 1 or April 2.
- Central Subway staffing toubles
- In addition to the continuing problems with financial reporting, and budget and schedule contingencies, it now appears the project is losing key staff members and replacement personnel are under-qualified.
March 15, 2014: Friday, March 21: THD presents Rebels with a Cause
Highly recommended film about preservation of public lands in Marin in the 1960's. The Rebels' lessons apply to all who are trying to preserve their neighborhoods, parks, and open space. See Event details to reserve your ticket now.
March 11, 2014: Speak up about Muni's TEP; "On time and on budget"; SF Location Films
- Legal action: Discussions with FTA and SFMTA regarding the Pagoda Option are still in progress.
- Muni's TEP, Friday, March 14, 9am — Learn about and voice your opinion on the SFMTA Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP). The TEP proposes many changes to bus lines and other SFMTA services to supposedly save money and provide better service. City Hall Room 400. Update March 10: Further TEP route revisions announced. More >>
- ... before you vote to approve more Muni bonds and approve initiatives to charge higher fines, fees, and taxes to support Muni services, find out where the money is spent now. Find out what percent of the MTA budget covers the actual operations and maintenance costs, and where the bulk of the funds go. Ask the SFMTA, Mayor and supervisors how much SFMTA has spent on TEP plans to reorganize bus routes and cut Muni service. More >>.
- "On time and on budget," the new mantra from Central Subway brass.
- If the project is on time and on budget perhaps Muni management could release the numbers needed to back this up. According to the federally-hired project manager no reliable schedule or budget data has been available since May 2013.
- SF Location Films, Fridays, March 14 & 21, 6pm - Mystique of the City: Films Shot in San Francisco
The Mechanics Library CinemaLit Film Series is hosted by film critic Michael Fox with discussion after each film. $10 donation includes great snacks, drinks available. Doors open at 5:30, film at 6:00. Reserve at 415-393-0100.
- Mechanics Institute
- 57 Post Street
- San Francisco
- (Near Montgomery BART)
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| Experiment in Terror |
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| Foul Play |
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| Ann Sheridan in Woman on the Run |
- Woman on the Run (1950)
This film noir has lots of 1950 SF and North Beach location scenery. It was shown at a No Dig event at the Emerald Tablet on Feb 27. You can watch it here, and click here for filming locations at reelsf.com.
| Film Night Poster, artist: Libby Staub |
February 21, 2014: No Dig Film Night Thurs 2/27; Legal action update
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| Ann Sheridan in Woman on the Run |
- Film Night: Woman on the Run (1950). Join us at The Emerald Tablet, 80 Fresno St (behind The Saloon), Thursday, February 27 at 7. Doors open at 6:30, program 7:00 to 9:00. $5 suggested donation, complimentary snacks, drinks by donation. More information and map.
- There will be a brief update on the legal action to protect North Beach historic buildings and parks. Following will be a screening of Woman on the Run, a fine film noir shot in North Beach (77 minutes runtime). Follow Ann Sheridan as she searches for her husband throughout 1950's San Francisco and North Beach, aided by reporter Dennis O'Keefe. Snappy and witty dialog, and scenes of the neighborhood as it was more than 60 years ago.
- Progress on the Save North Beach Village lawsuit: We're in continued discussions with Muni and the Feds over the Pagoda Option. News on the outcome of discussions within a few weeks. See Legal Action. Please donate to the legal fund so we can continue this action to protect historic North Beach.
January 11, 2014: Legal action update, TBM stuck at Union Square, Subway financial state unknown
Happy 2014. Some recent developments:
- Progress on the Save North Beach Village lawsuit: We're in discussions with Muni and the Feds over the Pagoda Option. See Legal Action. Please donate to the legal fund so we can continue this action to protect historic North Beach.
- Work at the Pagoda site is now back to more reasonable hours. Over the holidays work did not stop, even though we repeatedly requested it, and work hours were expanded to a punishing 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday schedule. Once the holidays were over new work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday though they rarely work outside 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Perhaps the rush is off due to a major tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakdown at Union Square — see below.
- Major tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakdown at Union Square. The first TBM, Mom Chung, has been out of service for the past three weeks due to damage. Spare parts and technicians had to be flown in to make the repairs. There has been no mention of this by Muni in the press. See the tunneling reports and the Central Subway progress map, last updated Dec 3, 2013.
- Central Subway finances in trouble? For the past 7 months the Central Subway budget contingency level has been a mystery. The federally-hired project management expert who watches over the Central Subway has noted this since May 2013 when the contingency was $100 million below federally proscribed levels. See Federal PMOC reports.
Many thanks to those who have supported our efforts during the past year. Please consider donating to Save North Beach Village.
December 2, 2013: Press Conferences, Tuesday, Dec. 3: Chinatown and North Beach Hurt Financially
Press briefings have been organized for this Tuesday:
- 12:30 at the Chinatown construction site, Stockton & Washington
- 1:30 at the Pagoda construction site, Columbus & Powell
The briefings are regarding the continued Central Subway construction during the holidays. Residents and merchants have been invited to speak to the press. Please attend one or both events.
November 21, 2013: Federal lawsuit filed; neighborhood meeting Sunday
On November 1, 2013 SaveNorthBeachVillage.org filed a federal lawsuit to stop the Central Subway Pagoda Option. This project proposes to dig two tunnels into North Beach with possibly years of construction disruption to businesses and residents. When this 6-year phase is completed there will be no subway station here.
Please join us for a neighborhood meeting this Sunday to learn more about the legal action and how you can support it.
- Sunday, November 24, 5:30 - 7
- San Francisco Italian Athletic Club
- 1630 Stockton Street
- Light refreshments served
Please consider supporting this legal action by making a donation.
For more information and a copy of the Complaint see the Legal Action page.
Sept 26, 2013: Simple and effective transit is best; Father John's church relic
Simple, effective transit is best
Howard Wong wrote a report on best practices for city transit systems, with examples from around the world showing how simple and inexpensive methods can greatly improve transit. Why doesn't Muni implement more of these?
Father John's relic
The earthquake and fire of 1906 destroyed an old Eastern Orthodox Church that once stood at the Pagoda site. Afterwards members of this church moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral at Green & Van Ness.
During demolition of the Pagoda Theater this summer the foundation of the old church was uncovered. Father John Takahashi of Holy Trinity Cathedral was contacted, and he came to North Beach to talk about the church's history with June Osterberg, who has written several articles about the Palace Theater. Father John and archaeologist Mike Stoyka went into the demolition site to view the ruins, and selected a piece of the old church's concrete foundation to be placed in the garden at the Green & Van Ness church.
Father John and archaeologist Mike Stoyka meet at the Pagoda site to view the old church's ruins.
Sept 7, 2013: No NB Dig: Pagoda demolition - last walls come down, dust cloud over Washington Square Park
Timmmber!
The photo below shows the dust cloud at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept 7, after a huge concrete slab crashed to the ground. Notice the demolition contractor's worker with the garden hose trying to quell the dust.
Muni announced the working hours for Saturday as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. As on numerous other occasions when working hours were announced, work started at 7:15 a.m. Numerous complaints were called in by nearby residents and SFPD visited the site to check up. The DPW inspector on site made a few jokes with the cops and all was forgotten. Remember this when the next project at the site begins — how can we get the contractors stick with announced working hours?
Photo: Keith Breitbach
Here are some videos of the big concrete walls falling.
Note: Even though MH Construction from San Francisco did this complex and risky demolition job with no prior experience (and scared the daylights out of folks on several occasions), their subcontractor Kroeker from Fresno did an outstanding job on the parts of the demolition they were responsible for. Special kudos to Larry who operated the huge orange Jaws excavator with the skill of a heart surgeon.
Sept 3, 2013: No NB Dig: Muni snubs North Beach businesses; Unbuilt SF: Rebels with a Cause
Pagoda demolition follies and
disregard of businesses
Muni's demolition contractor, MH
Construction, had no prior experience with this type of structure and it
shows. The MH crew inspires disbelief, head shaking, and a fear that they
will accidentally demolish all the buildings around the Pagoda.
Businesses next to the Pagoda site
have experienced extremely poor treatment from MH Construction and Muni.
Liz Ferro of Bottle Cap Restaurant recently wrote to Muni:
"Everything we were told about
how construction would go has
been false. Extended hours, working on the weekends, dust control,
pest control ... nothing as promised. It is more than obvious that no
one is looking out for our businesses and that you will sacrifice us
and our employees to do this job. It's shocking how little you care
for the people in this community ... ."
Other pleas to Muni from
business owners to spare them from the unprofessional, disruptive, and
dangerous demolition activities
.
Do we really want Muni's next
contractor in North Beach digging a 50x50 by 42-foot deep extraction shaft for the next six months? This will
include a couple thousand dump truck trips through the neighborhood, streets
blocked, cranes and excavators working, and more noise and dust? This
might be acceptable if there were some benefit for North Beach at the end of
the messy job, but remember there will be no Central Subway Station here
once the dust clears. Write to these officials and tell them residents deserve
all the facts before another construction project begins, and that the Pagoda Option is unnecessary and will break the Central
Subway budget.
Keith Breitbach, a videographer
who lives behind the Pagoda site, captured the demolition experience from his
back porch in this video.
Unbuilt SF: Rebels with a Cause
Be sure to catch a screening of Rebels with a Cause, an award-winning film
about residents in the 1960's who saved parts of Marin from rampant real estate
development, including the Marin Headlands, Stinson, Bolinas, and more.
It's in town this week and next:
Wednesday, September 4, 5:30 pm San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin
Street Architecture
and the City Festival
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 7
PM, SPUR, 654 Mission Street SPUR - Unbuilt SF: The View From
Futures Past
Hopefully, a future edition of Unbuilt SF will include the Pagoda Option and 8 Washington.
July 28: YABCA 2; mystery of the missing Pagoda demolition permit
If you've been by the Pagoda site you've seen workmen and trucks there, and the plywood with graffiti has been taken down. But according to City inspectors no demolition has been done.
Of course, we keep seeing the usual YABCA (Yet Another Bogus Construction Announcement), and even though there are workers at the site there is no demolition permit posted. Normally, no permit, no work can be done. When the workmen are asked about the permit they point to a small sign attached to the construction fence:
Not a demolition permit.
Where is the Pagoda demolition permit? No one seems to know and no one in the City is tellin'. Most demolition permits are issued by the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and you can track them at their online site (as of this writing, July 28, there is nothing for the Pagoda since February). Rumor has it Muni writes their own permits independent of DBI - hard to believe, even the Chinatown station at 947 Stockton has full DBI permits. We're trying to track it down.
If you see workmen at the Pagoda site tearing down the building and they can't produce a permit, call 558-6570 and file a complaint for "work being done without a permit."
On the lighter side:
June Osterberg wrote two articles about the historic theater on Washington Square, including the time The Cockettes made it their home.
Paul Page, the "Dave Barry" of No Dig, wrote a song, Sittin' in a hole by the Transbay (with help from Otis Redding), about recent cost overruns. Also see his comments on CW Nevius' July 16 Chronicle blog.
June 28: Mysterious banner; Pagoda demolition vs Philly disaster
Corrections:
There is no Muni Board meeting on Tuesday, July 2. Mark your
calendar for Tuesday, July 16.
Several people have asked who put up
and took down the banner on the Pagoda Theater. Some North Beach folks
put it up Tuesday morning, and it was taken down sometime between 4 pm and 6 pm
the same day. We don't know who took it down, most likely Muni. If
you saw who did it please get in touch. Still, the message on the banner
is a very likely scenario so please continue to write
to City officials as described below.
Farewell Will Reisman
Will has covered transportation for
the San Francisco Examiner for the past several years, including Central Subway
and Pagoda Option issues, and we will miss his well-written and informative
articles.
|
| Muni Construction Yard banner on Pagoda Theater |
Mysterious Pagoda banner
Thanks to all who wrote about the
banner to City officials. Several who wrote reported back that
City officials did not directly respond to the message.
Please continue to write to them and demand a satisfactory answer about plans
for the Pagoda site - will the site be used for the duration of the Central
Subway project as a northern access for materials going in or out? Please
forward all responses you receive.
On Tuesday morning a banner showed up on the Pagoda Theater,
"Muni Construction Yard 2013 to 2018." The 6-year span was a
surprise to many observers. The banner was torn down early Tuesday
evening.
For more about the banner message, and why Muni will likely
occupy the site for Central Subway construction for the next 6 years or more,
see this explanation.
And we still don't get a Central Subway station in the
foreseeable future, just lots of dust, trucks, and merchants hurt.
Pagoda demolition vs Philly disaster
Howard Wong recently noted parallels between the early-June building demolition
disaster in Philadelphia and the proposed Pagoda demolition. He notes that a
tragedy like this can occur if demolition is rushed
and engineering isn't properly done.
Philly: White building at left was
demolished, crushing the smaller yellow building.
North Beach: Can the white building (Pagoda Theater) be
safely demolished next
to the smaller yellow building (Piazza Pellegrini)?
For Howard's analysis of the Pagoda demolition and other
problems see his complaint.
What you can do
Write to those responsible and ask them for a straight answer on how
the Pagoda site will be used and for how long. Please forward all
responses you receive.
Tell Muni you won't settle for the
poor planning and deceptive explanations of the Pagoda Option. Next Muni Board meeting is Tuesday, July 16, 1 p.m.
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| Future of Washington Square and North Beach |
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| Union Square disruption (photo credit: CentralSubwayBlog.com) |