TO: 2020 Census: Redistricting Task Force
RE: Preliminary Input on the Supervisorial Districts Map, from Russian
Hill Neighbors, a San Francisco Community of Interest
Russian Hill Neighbors (RHN) is a volunteer neighborhood organization founded in San Francisco in 1981 to preserve and advance neighborhood character and quality of life through collaboration, volunteerism and celebration of the Russian Hill community.
Our geographic boundaries are as follows:
• The south side of North Point from the east side of Van Ness Avenue to the east side of Columbus Avenue
• Southeast on Columbus Avenue to the west side of Mason Street
• South on Mason Street to the south side of Pacific Avenue
• West on Pacific Avenue to the east side of Van Ness Avenue
• North on Van Ness Avenue to the south side of North Point Street
We are writing to offer feedback as you embark upon the
redistricting process in San Francisco. We request that you take into
account the following points as you move closer towards a first draft
of the new Supervisorial Districts map.
1) RHN believes Russian Hill should be unified and not split into two
districts. As it currently stands, approximately 10,000 Russian Hill
residents are in District 3 and 6,000 are in District 2.
2) As one of the several historic residential neighborhoods of
Northeast San Francisco along with Telegraph Hill, North Beach,
Barbary Coast, Chinatown, Nob Hill, Polk Street, and the
Northeast Waterfront, Russian Hill should be located wholly
within those northeastern neighborhoods, currently District 3, as
we have a long, storied history of collaboration, cooperation,
and community with our fellow neighborhood and merchant
organizations.
3) The Russian Hill neighborhood has a very long history of shared
experience and preservation advocacy with our neighbors of Northeast
San Francisco that has evolved over several decades. Some notable
examples include:
• adoption of the 40-ft height limit in the wake of the
emergence of high-rise buildings in predominantly low-rise
neighborhoods during the 1960s-70s
• protection of the Northern Waterfront
• creation of historic districts and landmarks
• support to prevent displacement of long-term tenants and
property owners with deep roots in Northeast San Francisco
• a shared appreciation for local businesses in our commercial
corridors
• a close working relationship with Central Police Station
• a shared commitment to the preservation and celebration
of diversity in all respects for our neighborhood
4) Given the tradition of collaboration, Russian Hill and its Northeastern
neighbors have the opportunity to join together in addressing important
challenges today and in the future, including:
• the value of maintaining healthy and vibrant commercial
corridors of small and neighborhood serving businesses
• the high cost of both ownership and rental properties that
threatens residents from being able to continue to afford to
live in San Francisco
• finding solutions to quality-of-life issues such as clean streets,
safety and security
• advocating for the services that allow families to continue to
reside in our neighborhoods, such as good schools, open
space, childcare and support for seniors
For these reasons, we request that you consider unifying Russian Hill into one
district and combine it with its peer residential neighborhoods of Northeast San Francisco (currently District 3).
We understand that you must consider many factors in the redistricting process, but we strongly advocate for final boundaries which take into account the long and important history of Russian Hill as a community of interest.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to provide our input in this very important process.
Yours truly,
Carol Ann Rogers, President
president@rhnsf.org; 415-902-3980
Leave a Reply