Posts Tagged ‘The Economy and Commerce’

San Franciscans love them some Mad Men, but they don’t love their product everywhere.  City voters approved Proposition E, grandfathering in the number of “street furniture” advertisements and preventing future proliferation.

The Chron’s Heather Knight talks with politicians and other leaders about why this November’s ballot holds exactly zero of the various revenue proposals that were floated earlier this year.

The Chronicle weighs in with its opinion on legislation under consideration by the Board of Supervisors that would send $150K to disaster victims in Asia.  Their take?  We have needs, too.  Keep the money closer to home.

Two new waterfront restaurants encounter a hefty fine for neglecting to supply the public with tables and chairs.

After 18 months of back and forth negotiations between the Hilton at Union Square and its hotel workers, an agreement has finally been reached.  But careful, while this is a huge step for both parties, there might be more to come for the hotel’s counterparts.  I hear the Starwood and the Marriot are next on the list…

A new Mayor’s Office proposal seeking to contract out environmental reviews for private developments is being met with concern by city unions.

The two-day Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival concluded yesterday as the sun finally decided to grace us with its presence.  There was music, dancing, food, perhaps a beer or two, and fun was had by all.  ‘Til next year!

Costs for environmentally friendly furniture are driving up the costs of the new PUC building.

The SF Business Times tells us who’s been appointed to San Francisco’s Oversight Board and tasked with keeping an eye on projects formerly managed by the City’s redevelopment agency.

The BAR reports that the departure of See’s Candy from Union Square is related to the company’s inability to comply with the City’s equal benefits ordinance.

The Recreation and Park Commission considers whether or not to allow the creation of local food vendor markets (kind of like Farmers Markets but with hot dogs and tacos and tamales) to legally offer their wares in three new City parks.

One of San Francisco’s most respected companies announces that it is staying put.

Fisherman’s Wharf businesses and Board President David Chiu get behind a plan to make the Wharf area a friendlier place to work and play.

The Port of San Francisco has a plan to build a new cruise terminal and make some money - and to mostly do it themselves.  Excellent!

Muni considers selling naming rights for its cable cars.

The Union Square Business Improvement District continues to grow.  Originally championed by Board President David Chiu, the BID continues to gain supporters.  Let’s hope it gains new revenue, too!

Developer and impresario David Addington proposes a two-block stretch of Market Street as the location for a theatre renaissance in San Francisco.  Look for it on November’s ballot…

The Chronicle weighs in (pun intended) on the debate over Mayor Gavin Newsom’s soda tax, praising the legislation for taking action to help curb obesity, diabetes and heart disease.  And as long as we’re taxing bad behavior…

The Board of Supervisors passes an ordinance requiring cable providers to pony up funds to keep public access television viable in San Francisco.

The Board’s Budget and Finance Committee has approved Mayor Newsom’s proposed 33 cent tax on cigarettes.  The price hike could hit shelves as early as October 1, providing San Francisco smokers yet another reason to quit.

Think we’re done with the budget battles?  Think again.  The Guardian reports that SEIU 1021 has launched a campaign to reverse pay cuts for City medical staff and nurses, arguing that these cuts disproportionately impact women and communities of color.

Supervisor David Campos offers a forum to listen to issues relevant to seniors in a tough economy.

The City’s endeavor to bury utility lines underground is brought to a halt by an all too familiar culprit.

With a long-anticipated makeover, underground Muni stops will look a lot more like BART - and speed up throughput, too, say Muni brass.  Fingers crossed that Uncle Barack gives us the money for this project!