CHANGE MY LOCATION
Local
California News
Multimedia News
Developer is the main financier for Hunters Point proposition
SEE HOW THIS STORY DEVELOPED
Related Topics: SAN FRANCISCO
)
A shoreline trail and park are a part of the proposed development included in Proposition G, which will be voted on by voters on June 3.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - In the last month, the developer in line to rebuild Candlestick Point and the former Hunters Point Shipyard has spent about $800,000 to generate support for a measure going before voters next month that would signal approval for the major redevelopment project, bringing its total spending to $3 million, according to campaign-finance statements filed Thursday.
Proposition G asks voters to “encourage the timely development” of the new mixed-use project and authorizes a park land-swap needed to go forward with the redevelopment plan. Developer Lennar Corp. has bankrolled Prop. G as well as provided support to the campaign against Prop. F, a measure that would require the project to provide 50 percent of the new housing at below-market rates — a mandate that Lennar and city officials say would financially kill the project.
Prop. G has the support of Mayor Gavin Newsom, while Prop. F, which was put on the ballot through a signature campaign, is supported by Supervisor Chris Daly, who often wages the fiercest political battles against Newsom.
Lennar’s money has paid for polling services, consultants, television advertisements, mailers and attorneys, according to the campaign finance statements. The campaign for Prop. G has no other financial supporters other than Lennar, according to finance records.
The political committee in support of Prop. F, the Bayview Committee for Affordable Housing, in comparison, reported having raised approximately $7,000, and spending not much more than $4,000 this year on its campaign. Expenditures made since March 18, include $2,400 for printing of campaign materials and $614 for buttons.
The committee received only a handful of donations, including $1,508 from Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth and $1,749 from low-income advocate group People Organized to Win Employment Rights.
Lennar’s redevelopment plans for Bayview-Hunters Point include up to 10,000 new homes, parks, business space and a new 49ers stadium, if the team elects to stay in San Francisco.
On Tuesday, the developer announced it struck a deal with the San Francisco Labor Council and would offer 32 percent of housing at below-market rate, up from the 25 percent the developer had previously promised.
Lennar also contributed to the “No on Prop. F” campaign, which also received financial support from several labor organizations.
Despite the dramatic difference in spending, recent reports have shown both measures polled to win.
Comments from Examiner Readers
4:15 AM MST on Sat., May. 31, 2008 re: "Navy tests pollution at Hunters Point site"
Report as inappropriate
10:21 PM MST on Sun., May. 25, 2008
re: "Developer is the main financier for Hunters Point proposition"
Report as inappropriate
1:31 PM MST on Fri., May. 23, 2008
re: "Navy tests pollution at Hunters Point site"
Report as inappropriate
9:44 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 26, 2008
re: "Plan beckons big-name acts"
Report as inappropriate
10:14 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 28, 2008
re: "Navy tests pollution at Hunters Point site"
Report as inappropriate
11:30 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 28, 2008
re: "Navy tests pollution at Hunters Point site"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
They should bring in developers who have done jobs in the bay area, like Lennar and KB Homes and the developer, who build that condo apartment arcoss from Tanforan mall. Both Lennar and KB Homes have developed very nice new homes in Danville and other parts of the Bay area like San Jose and Milptias. They should get first dips at the bit for the job. They know how to relly add some nice decor to what they build, like the Americanize Mediterranean & Tuscan look that are popular these days. If they want chain stores or stores and resturants there, they should look to the comapny that did the redevelopment of Tanforan, or the company that build the Great Mall. Those companies also know who call for good lanscaping. If the people at City Hall want people from other part of the city to go therer like from the Sunset area, or even other counties like South San Francisco, Daly City and Milbrae, then that is what they got to do. If not then it is just the Hunter Point people and that is it.
6 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Aaron Goodman said:
More money poured in to a development project, that is not open to better solutions. Where's the public transit, where's the rental units, where's the open space? Why are the developers spending so much to push the "go" button/ I smell a rat somewhere and a lot of rubbing hands, circling the wagons to get their piece of the pie. Better to either toss it, and get real with the needs of the community, and not push em out, like what this project appears like..When the developer is the main financier, there is bound to be conflict of interest in the employment, methods used, and actual end of the day results. So beware buyers of prop G, you may yet see the boon-doggle you created.
3 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why is a Miami-based developer all over a project in San Francisco? If this project is truly viable, why hasn't a local developer been interested in the development? As correctly stated here, this development is to remote to be accessible by public transit and sounds like more vehicles on our already crowded freeways and streets. Something here just doesn't seem to add up.
4 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Juan Pardell said:
What makes more sense, is to build an arena, comparable to Staples Center in Los Angeles, as part of the master development plan for the Seawall 337 property. Being that baseball and basketball seasons overlap each other, the synergy would be perfect for the area. Its time to bring back the Warriors. Personally, I don't like attending games at Oracle Arena. The area has no other activity and the BART station is dangerous, especially in the evening hours. Placing an arena on the Giants parking lot, would stimulate year round activity, which translates into "mucho" sales tax revenue for the city. Hunters Point, is still too remote for those wishing to take public transportaion to an event. Frankly, I'm in favor of two locations for the football stadium: The former Schlage Lock property and the parcel across from the airport.
5 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Beware of Lennar said:
Lennar has lost about 2 BILLION dollars in the last year. They will shrivel up and die any day now! Down in So Cal at the former El Toro Marine base, they could not afford to pay the contractor to rip out the runways. So the contractor left and with only 2% of the runways removed. So look for Lennar to bail out on Hunters Point and leave a mess. It is time to find a new developer soon!
50 agree | 37 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
West Coast Liberal said:
Gee, Wally, those genetically designed organisms eat real live radioactive waste so our old Naval dump can be gentrified and the Navy can get more money for land the people own already. It's a miracle. Thank you Miracle bacteria for making those bad 'ol ions go away.Didn't they "cap" Chernobyl?
42 agree | 43 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree