Brady PieperThis article was written using information found in the National Bond Report from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. This comprehensive report features information on every public entity planning to hold a bond election. To purchase this report, click here.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is placing a $390 million bond on residents’ November ballots that would fund hospital renovations, community health initiatives, parks and recreation and interim housing sites throughout the Bay Area.
The bond, listed under Proposition B (Prop B) on ballots, would fund these projects through the issuance of general obligation bonds. Raising the average tax rate, residents would face a nearly $7 tax increase per $100,000 of property value. Without raising residents’ property tax, Prop B would fund a variety of projects related to community health and medical facilities, street safety, public spaces and interim housing to reduce family homelessness.
According to the bond’s final digest, Prop B’s bond measure would deliver the largest allocation of funding, up to $99.1 million, to improve community health centers. This would include up to $71.1 million to renovate and expand capacity at the Chinatown Public Health Center and retrofit the facility for seismic activity. The bond would also fund the relocation of the City Clinic.
Other hospital initiatives that would be funded by this bond include up to $40 million to seismically retrofit the General Hospital and up to $66 million to renovate and repair the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.
These renovation efforts would enhance critical infrastructure at the hospitals, increase capacity for emergency services, retrofit facilities for seismic interference and bring structures up to strict state and federal regulatory requirements.
Prop B’s bond measure would additionally fund shelter and housing for homeless families through the development of new housing units. The bond includes up to $50 million for shelter and interim housing sites, providing over 2,300 new units for homeless families and over 330 interim housing units designed for temporary living.
Public health, safety and comfortability initiatives will also be eligible for funding under Prop B. The bond would include up to $63.9 million for street and sidewalk safety projects, up to $41 million to modernize San Francisco’s public spaces, up to $25 million for Harvey Milk Plaza and up to $5 million for parks and recreation centers.
The bond will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, and will require two-thirds approval from local voters, unless State Prop 5 passes, in which only 55% affirmative votes would pass the measure.
If approved, the Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee would review projects and decide on how the bond proceeds are spent.
Photo by Ragnar Vorel on Unsplash
