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Chinatown, San Francisco street during a cloudy day. Masked children and adult pedestrians walk on the street. Sidewalks are surrounded by small storefronts and signs. Red lanterns hang from the buildings above the street.

SPUR’s Vision for a San Francisco That Welcomes Everyone

News /
Incoming San Francisco Director Sujata Srivastava shares her goals and vision for SPUR’s work in San Francisco. She encourages us to let go of false narratives that urban development is a zero-sum game and instead embrace a mindset of abundance, where the city welcomes new growth, builds much-needed housing and closes the racial wealth gap. Through sustained dialogue and civic engagement, we can begin to build a sense of belonging and develop a policy agenda that leads to systemic change.
Teal report cover. In white text: SPUR logo, Research Brief May 2022, Setting California’s Clean Appliance Timeline, Why we need to transition to zero-emission home appliances much sooner than we think

Setting California’s Clean Appliance Timeline

Research /
California has set out to be carbon-neutral by 2045. To help meet this goal, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has proposed deadlines for ending the sale of gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters — but are they soon enough? SPUR’s research found that the proposed dates would transition roughly 90% of households to electric appliances by 2045. But to fully meet its climate goals, California will need to pair new sales standards with substantial incentives.
Black and white photo of a running water faucet. Faucet head is in focus, handles and sink are blurry.

Lessons Learned From California’s COVID-19 Water Debt Relief Program

News /
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Legislature established the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program to provide financial relief for unpaid water bills. But water affordability struggles won’t end with the pandemic. The state will need to build upon its first experiment with water bill assistance to weather ongoing climate change and income inequality. SPUR investigates the success of the $985 million program and looks at lessons learned.
Overhead view of the dome at San Jose City Hall

Candidates Share Their Views at SPUR’s San José Mayoral Forum

News /
The next mayor of San José will take the lead in guiding policy decisions that will shape the region for decades to come. SPUR and six partner organizations held a forum on April 28 to help voters get to know the frontrunner candidates and their positions on some of the city’s most pressing issues. We’ve compiled the candidate’s answers to questions spanning equitable planning, regional transit, parks and open space funding, affordable housing and senior housing.
Circular framed photos of 19 new board members on blue background. In white, bold text, "2022 New Board Members"

Welcome to Our New 2022 SPUR Board Members

News /
SPUR has welcomed 19 new members to its board of directors. These new appointees bring extensive knowledge in planning, housing, transportation, economic justice, good government, food and agriculture, sustainability and resilience to the organization’s leadership. We look forward to their advisorship as we continue our work to make the Bay Area a place where everyone can thrive.

SPUR Advocates for Peer Review and Design changes for BART Phase II

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR believes BART to Silicon Valley Phase II is a critical project to the region and SPUR is invested in its success. At the same time, we are concerned about VTA's current project design, particularly for the downtown San Jose station and Diridon station. SPUR lays out design changes that could make for a better project and recommends an independent peer review of design alternatives, assumptions, and organizational capacity.

SPUR Comments on San José Guadalupe Encampment Strategy and Policy

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR submitted this letter in response to the San José city staff’s report and update on the status of the city’s Encampment Management and Safe Relocation Strategy ahead of a Federal Aviation Administration deadline to comply with regulations to clear out encampments in Guadalupe Gardens.
Windmills on green, grassy hills. Blue, clear skies.

How to Make California’s Budget Surplus a Good Deal for the Climate

News /
California is dangerously behind on cutting carbon emissions, but this year’s budget surplus can be a weapon in the fight to address climate change, with Governor Newsom announcing plans to spend $37 billion over the next six years on climate resilience. Here are SPUR’s suggestions for how to focus those resources on eliminating fossil fuels in buildings, securing safe and abundant water, ending car dependence, improving transit, building affordable housing where we need it and more.
computer rendering of a concrete creek channel that has been converted to public space, with a bike path, trees and people sitting on concrete steps in the creek bed,

Watershed Moments

Policy Brief /
Climate scientists predict that California will experience longer, more frequent droughts as the climate warms. How can the Bay Area better manage the limited water it has? SPUR, Greenbelt Alliance and Pacific Institute teamed up to highlight six Northern California leaders who are pioneering more sustainable approaches to water use.

Comments on BAAQMD Proposed FY22-23 Budget and Amendments to Regulation 3, Fees

Advocacy Letter /
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is considering a zero-emission requirement for water heaters, furnaces, and boilers between 2027-2031. If this requirement is adopted, BAAQMD would need additional staff to support its implementation. This letter shows our support of a budget allocation for additional staff to accommodate this need.
California State Capitol Building

SPUR-Sponsored State Housing Bills Move Forward in Sacramento

News /
With the California State Legislature back from its spring recess, key SPUR-sponsored housing legislation is making its way through the Assembly Local Government and Housing and Community Development committees. We’re supporting bills to prohibit minimum parking requirements for new buildings near transit, allow faster permitting of shelters for unhoused people, make development fees more transparent and more.

SPUR Supports Car-Free JFK Drive

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR has sent a letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors urging them to make JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park permanently car-free.

Recommendations to MTC for Equity in Tolling Pilot Plan

Advocacy Letter /
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is considering implementing a payment plan pilot to help people who are dealing with unpaid tolls, fines, and fees. Our coalition asks that they design a payment plan that is aimed at serving people with the least access to resources and applying those best practices broadly, so that there is both a low barrier to entry and policies that work for everyone. This plan would promote equitable outcomes and increase toll revenues, as people who would otherwise be unable to pay a lump sum will now be able to pay over time.

SPUR Joins More Than 20 Organizations to Oppose SB 1410

Advocacy Letter /
SB 1410 would mandate the revision of the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) based methodology to analyze transportation impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that was carefully developed over many years pursuant to SB 743 (2013).
Computer generated overhead rendering of Battery Bluff. Includes blue, cloudy skies, greenery surrounding the park and streets, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay.

How We Got a Parkway for the People

News /
This spring, SPUR and San Francisco celebrate the culmination of an extraordinary public project that started 31 years ago: the Presidio Parkway. What began as a safety project to replace a dangerous elevated highway became a community-led process to heal a landscape torn apart by freeway building. SPUR played a critical role in bringing people together to complete this once-in-a-generation project.