Balancing Oakland's Budget
Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth
The Future of Ocean Beach
Urbanist Article / How will San Francisco manage Ocean Beach's tricky balance of natural resources, recreational uses and infrastructure needs under the new realities of a changing climate? SPUR leads a master-planning process to develop a long-term vision for this important resource.
Park Circa: Can an iPhone App Facilitate More Compact Living?
News / According to the SFMTA, 30 percent of traffic in San Francisco is simply drivers looking for parking. That’s not just a huge waste of time — it’s also a carbon-emissions nightmare. But new digital tools are helping city dwellers engage with the automobile in smarter and more efficient ways. Last week San Francisco launched extended hours on some SFPark smart parking meters, which…
Behind the Scenes at SFO's New Terminal 2
News / After lying dormant for a decade, San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2 will be re-opening this month. Last week, 45 SPUR members had the unique opportunity to tour the final stages of construction on the $383 million renovation project. The 640,000 square foot building has 14 gates and will serve 5.5 million visitors per year. American Airlines, a tenant of the original terminal when it…
Saving Caltrain for the Long Term
Research / Caltrain is one of the most important transit systems in the Bay Area, and yet recurring budget shortfalls have made its future uncertain. Unlike the region’s other transit systems, Caltrain lacks a dedicated source of revenue and is governed jointly by three counties. This memorandum reviews how we got into this situation and begins a discussion about how to save Caltrain for the long run.
Caltrain Scores Short-Term Funding -- Now We Need a Long-Term Plan
News / After threats to reduce service by nearly half, Caltrain officials last night agreed to scale back their drastic proposed cuts. The rail system’s governing agencies have brokered a deal to avoid the worst-case scenario, which would have run only 48 trains on weekdays, a dramatic drop from the current 86. Through a patchwork of solutions — including a 25-cent fare hike and eliminating some trains…