Meeting: What Should Happen To The Real Foods Building?

It’s true: There are plans underway to develop the empty storefront across from Whole Foods on 24th St – the space formerly known as Real Foods. So what will it be: A Trader Joe’s? A climbing gym? A brew pub? Condos? Nails/Waxing? Now is your chance to find out – and more importantly to weigh in.

At 7pm Thursday (that's tomorrow) at St. Philips Parish Hall the developers will be offering a preview of what’s in the works. There will be plans displayed and architects on hand to describe the drawings and answer questions. Stakes are high for such a central location in Noe Valley – this should be worth attending.

What: Real Foods Building Plans Presentation
When: Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm
Where: St. Philips Parish Hall, 725 Diamond St

[NVSF: Real Foods: I Wish This Was...]

Coming Soon: Plans To Develop Real Foods Building

You know how you walk past that empty storefront across from Whole Foods and wonder what the hell? Or maybe you remember that eleven years ago Real Foods was abruptly shut down and there have been years of drama since. Maybe your remembrance is that Big Corporate America is against unions. Or maybe you don't care what happened. Regardless, many of you have had opinions over the years about what should happen to this prime Noe Valley space.

Andrew Ross writes (albeit in a bit flowery way) on SFGate that plans are finally moving forward to develop the Real Foods location. He references a visit Scott Wiener and others made to Utah in October of 2013 to meet with the current owners - Nutraceutical. And he tells of a promise made ("a solid oath") to rebuild on the site. None of that is news.

What is news: Nutraceutical is ready to present plans to the public - there will be a meeting in January. This type of meeting is standard procedure for developers looking to submit high-profile plans to the Building Department so don't expect final drawings and a committed tenant. Instead expect concept drawings and be prepared to give feedback on the project. Want to make sure it doesn't house a bank, nail salon or title company? Let them know how you feel.

We asked a few local people in the know for some more information. Todd David of Friends of Noe Valley told us the architect is SF-based Jackson Liles Architecture. Brian Liles is the project lead. Principal Julie Jackson is active in the public school system and has children at James Lick.

Carol Yenne, past president of the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association, gave us a bit more information:

I went on the trip in Oct 2013 with Scott to meet with the owners of the property. The plans to develop the property had stalled during the downturn in the economy in 2008 but we discovered when we arrived that the company was already starting to work on plans again. San Francisco is trying to encourage housing and we all are on the same page about wanting to get the property developed into active retail and housing so that it does not continue to be a vacant space. The company asked for ideas for the retail space and we encouraged them to consider active retail or a restaurant which they seemed to take to heart. The space will likely be two businesses and the housing will be a minimum of four units.

Todd and Carol both let us know that neither FoNV nor the NVMPA have an official or active role in directing how this space is used.

So this is your chance to weigh in - mark your calendars for the community meeting and bring your opinions.

What: Community Meeting to present plans for Real Foods building
Where: St Philips Church, 725 Diamond St
When: January 22, 2015, 7:00PM
Bonus: Todd told us there's a rumor of childcare provided.

[Andrew Ross: Noe Valley’s Real Food to be reborn]
[NVSF: Real Foods - I Wish This Was...]

Tonight: Public Safety Community Meeting With Scott Wiener

Details for tonight's meeting with Scott Wiener:

Please join Supervisor Wiener for a community meeting to address the recent crime trends in Noe Valley & Glen Park.

Representatives from Mission and Ingleside Stations will be in attendance for a presentation followed by an opportunity for questions.

Community co-sponsors and invitees for the event include the Noe Valley Association, Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association, Upper Noe Neighbors, Friends of Noe Valley, Diamond Heights Community Association, Glen Park Association, Glen Park Merchants Association, and San Francisco SAFE.

For more details, please contact Supervisor Wiener’s office at (415) 554-6968.

We're looking for notes from someone able to attend. Please contact us if you can provide a report.

What: Noe Valley / Glen Park Public Safety Community Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 19th, 7:00-8:00pm
Where: Horace Mann Middle School, 3351 23rd Street (between Valencia & Bartlett Streets)

Town Square: Community Meeting

Residents for Noe Valley Town Square is having a meeting this Thursday to update the public and solicit feedback:

On Oct 18...We will kick things off with a detailed update on everything we’re working on. Come and find out why we’re feeling (cautiously) optimistic about making the Town Square a reality! There will be open floor time to share your ideas, concerns and get your questions answered.

Another meeting is scheduled for Jan 16th. Mark your calendars.

What: Town Square Community Meeting
When: Thursday, 10/18, 7pm
Where: St Philips, 725 Diamond St, Community Hall

[NV Town Square: Upcoming Meetings]
[NVSF: Town Square]

Public Meeting: SF Public Libraries

This Saturday the San Francisco Public library would like to fulfill it's voter-mandated obligation to update it's services based on community input:

The Library Preservation Fund, renewed by Proposition D in November 2007, requires that the San Francisco Library Commission assess and modify as appropriate the hours of operation of the Main and branch libraries at least once every five years. The public hearings are a key component of this process.

These public hearings will also allow residents to give SFPL their ideas about library services and priorities and allow the Library to present ideas about its future goals and initiatives.

In case you can't make it, the next meeting will be on Oct 2nd at the Bernal Heights Branch Library. More details at the SFPL website.

What: Library Operating Hours Public Meeting
When: Sat, 9/29/2012, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: 451 Jersey Street

Meeting: Upper Noe Neighbors June 2012

Vicki Rosen sent the agenda to this month's meeting, and also a call to arms. Emphasis ours:

We have a good meeting planned for June and hope many of you can attend. Here's the agenda:

• J-Church effectiveness study and proposals--MTA's Transit Effectiveness Program will present options for improving service on our favorite streetcar line including suggestions they've gotten from people in our neighborhood so far. Also, MUNI reps will be there to discuss other issues we've been having on our line like the continued shuttling of non-J streetcars and excessive use of air horns.
• Police report focusing on the break-ins we've been having recently that aim mostly for expensive bicycles. Bad people are getting into garages that folks think are secure.
• Friends of Upper Noe Rec Center have applied for a grant to put an outdoor classroom on the Sanchez St. side...see the draft plans!

Wednesday, June 13, 7:30 pm
Upper Noe Rec Center (Day & Sanchez)

ONE MORE THING: We need volunteers to help Upper Noe Neighbors by being on the Board. It's very little work. We need ideas and a little bit of commitment. If we don't get people to step up to the plate, we'll have to reevaluate how UNN will operate in the future. Please help YOUR neighborhood group!

Noe Valley Neighborhood Meeting: July 27

Still have questions about the controversial AT&T U-verse boxes, the problems with Muni, and the plans and progress for a Noe Valley Town Square? You can email your questions to Scott Wiener directly, or you can see him in person at the next neighborhood meeting this Wednesday July 27, 7:00pm at St. Phillips. The meeting is run by the Friends of Noe Valley neighborhood group, but is open to all residents and non-members too. Other items on the agenda include upcoming neighborhood events planned by FONV and how to get involved.

What: FONV Neighborhood Meeting
When: Wednesday July 27, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: St. Philip’s Auditorium - 665 Elizabeth Street @ Diamond

Town Square: Speakers Needed For Public Comment

Todd David of Residents for Noe Valley Town Square needs people to show in support:

I received a phone call from Rec and Parks yesterday informing me that the Commission is holding a meeting on Wed, July 6 at 2PM.

The Noe Valley Town Square is going to be mentioned as one of the projects Rec and Park is pursuing/investigating. It would be fantastic if 5 or 6 people could join me for Public Comment.

What: Recreation and Park Commission - Capital Committee Meeting
Where: 1 Carlton B. Goodlett Place (City Hall), Room 416
When: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 2pm

[NVSF: Noe Valley Town Square: Concepts]