Mayor Lee Announces Record Level of Capital Investment

Proposed Budget Continues Critical Investments in City’s Existing Infrastructure & Builds for a 21st Century San Francisco

San Francisco, CA – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced a $411.3 million proposed two-year capital budget to invest in San Francisco’s future. This record investment continues Mayor Lee’s strong commitment to improving San Francisco’s infrastructure and continuing to follow the good government recommendations of the Capital Planning Committee. The investments included in the proposal will make the City more resilient, safer, and more livable. It addresses critical public safety projects, makes big investments to address growth, and takes care of existing infrastructure.

“My proposed capital budget is six times larger than when I took office in 2011, demonstrating my commitment to making San Francisco safer, more resilient, and more livable,” said Mayor Lee. “These investments will provide critical upgrades to streets, parks, cultural facilities, and police and fire stations across San Francisco while creating well paid local construction jobs. The investments we make today will have a lasting impact on generations to come, and this is exactly the type of investment we should be making now to ensure our City’s success over the long term.”

Mayor Lee made the announcement at a street resurfacing project on 8th Avenue in the Inner Sunset. Street resurfacing will be the largest single expenditure in the capital budget, funded at record levels ($111 million over two years), with the goal of improving the City’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score of 70 ahead of the original target date of 2025. A higher PCI score means less potholes, less wear and tear on vehicles, smoother rides for all road users, and reduced long-term maintenance costs.

Mayor Lee’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17 proposed capital budget adheres to the adopted Ten-Year Capital Plan by fully funding the General Fund pay as you go capital program, demonstrating the City’s commitment to continuous improvement with a record investment of $128.3 million. These funds will make critical seismic repairs; transportation system improvements; create safer streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers; fortify San Francisco’s Seawall; and keep the City on track to bring its Pavement Condition Index score to 70 – its highest level in nearly 30 years. Some of the highlights include the following:

• Largest General Fund Capital Budget Ever. $128.3 million is the largest single-year allocation of General Fund capital in San Francisco’s history. In addition, it marks the third year in a row that San Francisco is fully funding the spending level recommended by the Ten-Year Capital Plan, (prior to Mayor Lee taking office the City had only done so once since the inception of the capital plan). The FY 2016-17 proposed General Fund capital budget is six times larger than the FY 2011-12 General Fund capital budget.
• Resiliency. $4 million to develop a long-term funding plan to fortify and upgrade the Seawall, which serves as the foundation for the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to Mission Creek just south of AT&T Park.
• Better Streets. Street resurfacing, the largest single expenditure in the capital budget, is funded at record levels ($111 million over 2 years), and on pace to achieve a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score of 70 ahead of the original target date of 2025. A higher PCI score means less potholes, less wear and tear on vehicles, smoother rides for all road users, and reduced long-term maintenance costs.
• Improved Parks Across the City. Parks are central features our diverse neighborhoods. Over the next two years the Recreation and Parks Department budget will invest over $29 million in capital and maintenance improvements in our parks. Plans for the upcoming budget include many neighborhood based projects, including field rehabilitation at Crocker Amazon, replacement of playing fields at Garfield Square and Franklin Square, as well as court resurfacing projects at Excelsior and Rolph playgrounds and Minnie & Lovie Ward Rec Center, among others. Additionally citywide, investments will also be made in synthetic and grass field replacement, forestry, and critical facilities maintenance improvements. The Mayor’s proposed budget will also make strategic investments to further invest in Let’sPlaySF!, the Citywide public-private partnership focused on renovating San Francisco’s worst playgrounds as prioritized by the 2014 Playgrounds Task Force. These investments are focused on playgrounds in neighborhoods needing revitalized and thriving community space. Plans include funding for Herz Playground, Hyde & Turk, and Sgt. John Macaulay parks, as well as Buchanan Street Mall playgrounds.
• Neighborhood and Livability Improvements.
  • Developer-paid impact fees will fund $96.2 million in streetscape improvements in rapidly growing areas such as South of Market, Market Octavia, Eastern Neighborhoods, Rincon Hill, and Visitacion Valley.
  • $1.1 million in Vision Zero projects will enhance street safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. —Street safety projects bike and pedestrian safety initiatives such as Vision Zero spot improvements ($1.1 million over 2 years) and Sidewalk Improvements ($7.7 million over 2 years).
  • $18.1 million over two years in ADA Facilities and Curb Ramp transition plan improvements will make the City more accessible.
  • $7.7 million over two years for sidewalk repair and improvement across the City.
  • Funding for Dig Once, which takes advantage of existing planned street construction to add high-speed internet fiber conduit, reducing the number of times streets must be torn up.
• Taking Care of What We Have. Record-level of investment in Facility Renewals ($51.9 million over 2 years) for state of good repair and life-safety needs at city-owned buildings. This reduces existing backlogs and saves future funds by improving building performance and longevity. Notable expenditure categories:
  • $13.4 million for arts and culture infrastructure, such as museums and cultural centers.
  • $20 million over two years for public safety facilities, such as police and fire stations and the Department of Emergency Management.
• Creating Jobs. The $411.3 million to be invested through the capital budget will support over 3,400 jobs over the life of the projects that are funded.

The City and County of San Francisco’s Capital Planning Committee makes recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on infrastructure needs and spending. It is Chaired by the City Administrator and includes the President of the Board of Supervisors, Controller, Budget Director, Planning Director, Public Works Director, Port Director, SFMTA Director, Airport Director, SFPUC General Manager, and Parks and Recreation General Manager.

The Capital Planning Committee’s recommendations are guided by the adopted FY 2015-16 through 2024-25 Ten-Year Capital Plan. For more information, go to: onesanfrancisco.org.