Supes pass $185 million ordinance
for parks restoration

By Caitlin Cassady

October 17, 2007

An ordinance to hold a special election on Feb. 5 for San Francisco residents to vote on a $185 million bond proposition to restore and clean up city parks was passed by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor President Aaron Peskin proposed the ordinance, which was passed by all 11 supervisors on its first reading. According to the ordinance, the $185 million bond will go toward the "construction, reconstruction, purchase and/or improvement of park and recreation facilities within the city and county of San Francisco.'' The ordinance also states that money can be delegated to improvement of structures in any park as well as other necessary costs related to general upkeep.

If the voters of San Francisco pass the ordinance it will incur a $185 million bonded debt to the city, according to the board of supervisors.

This amount is too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the city, as well as being too large to be paid out of an annual tax levy.

In order to pay back the balance of the bond, a property tax increase will be incurred by landowners, according to the board of supervisors. Landowners will then be allowed to pass 50 percent of that tax onto residential tenants.

The list of parks and open spaces that will be included under the umbrella of the proposition include everything from Mission Dolores Park to the Pier 43 Bay Trail Link. Portions of the proposed bond will also go toward new or renovated bathroom facilities at parks and improved playing fields.

One segment of the bond is a $5 million hunk that will go toward programs that are community nominated, according to the board of supervisors.

A vote on the proposed bond will be held the same day as the California 2008 Presidential Primary election, according to the board. The same ballot will be used for both elections and voters will go to their regular precincts.

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