This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does This Charter amendment hopes to increase the influence of the current Small Business Commission on City policies. It makes the commission part of the Charter, and increases its membership from five who serve at the pleasure of the Mayor to four mayoral appointments and three Board of Supervisors’ appointments. Commissioners, all…

This measure appeared on the November 2003 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition C would amend the Charter to give the Controller an additional function, title and funding as the City Services Auditor. It would direct the Auditor to monitor the level and effectiveness of City services, and oversee and reform contracting procedures. It was placed on the ballot by the Board of…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition E is a Charter amendment placed on the ballot by a vote of the Board of Supervisors. If adopted by a vote of the people, it would increase the retirement benefits of qualified survivors (spouses, domestic partners, minor children, dependent children, dependent parents) of certain police officers and firefighters…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This proposed Charter Amendment contains six distinct provisions. It would: Extend most time deadlines for Board of Supervisors action during board recesses Lower the number of votes required for the board to take action when board members are disqualified due to conflicts of interest Prevent appointed members of boards and commissions…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Currently, the City Health Service System (HSS), which provides medical benefits to employees and retirees of City government, is administered by the Department of Human Resources with the system director appointed by the Department of Human Resources director. The proposed Charter amendment would place the administration of the HSS under the…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does Proposition B would authorize issuance of up to $60,000,000 in general obligation bonds to help finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, construction, or preservation of historical resources and structures benefiting historical resources. The specific projects that would receive funding would be selected through an implementing ordinance to be developed if the…

This measure appeared on the November 2004 San Francisco ballot. What it does This ordinance, placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors, seeks voter approval of a $200 million general obligation bond, to finance: Development of supportive housing (affordable housing that includes medical and social services) for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless earning up to 30 percent…

Includes SPUR's analysis of 15 city measures on the November 2, 2004 ballot.

New mixed-use areas raise parking congestion issues. Instead, SPUR recommends transit improvements, wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and supports plans for the Central Subway.

A look at traffic-calming programs in Zurich, Vienna, and Munich, a redesign of transportation planning to improve overall livability.

SPUR recommends several organizational changes for Muni, including the creation of a Multimodal Planning and Project Development Department to oversee all transit and consolidate Muni and DPT.

A disaster of epic proportions is brewing in our backyard. During our lifetime it is probable that we will face a catastrophic earthquake in the urbanized San Francisco Bay Area.

While condominium conversion is one way of expanding home ownership, it frequently results in tenant displacement. SPUR analyzes how to promote homeownership while mitigating the negative consequences.

In order to learn from San Diego, a SPUR delegation traveled to the city. This article describes what the delegation learned about San Diego's downtown.

The U.S./Mexico Border Station may not be a walk in the park, but it has a lot to teach us about how we design - and manage - our public spaces

This article describes the fragmentation of regional agencies in the Bay Area, how this differs in San Diego, and why merging regional transit operators is potentially the most important reform.

City of Children

Josh Hart shares some of the joys of bicycling in San Francisco. He touches on unique cycling terrain like dried creek beds, and makes the plea that cycling is not dangerous, but rather, a peaceful urban experience.

Architect David Baker examines how the existing zoning code prevents ground floors from becoming inviting spaces. He offers feasible solutions to solve this problem without reducing commercial viability.

David Prowler discusses the pitfalls that often confront redevelopment projects. His case study offers lessons learned and recommendations to make the process work better.