In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the ongoing development of the Under Ramp Park project in San Francisco, highlighting the city's commitment to supporting small and minority-owned businesses. The meeting revealed that CMG, a firm that transitioned out of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program in 2015, has continued to prioritize SBE partnerships in its projects.

CMG's participation in the SBE program prior to 2015 allows for a significant portion of their service fees to count towards SBE participation, with an estimated 62% participation rate if they were still classified as an SBE. Despite their graduation from the program, CMG remains dedicated to collaborating with SBE partners, exemplified by their recent engagement of You Studio, a minority-owned business based in San Francisco, for architectural services related to the Under Ramp Park expansion.

The meeting also highlighted CMG and YA Studios' involvement in the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure's (OCII) professional trainee program, which has successfully trained seven local architecture students from City College and San Francisco State University over the past eight years. This initiative underscores the firms' commitment to fostering local talent and providing opportunities within the community.

Looking ahead, the approval of the contract amendment for the Under Ramp Park project is set to facilitate the completion of construction documents by early 2025. Following this, OCII plans to pursue bond issuance to fund the project's construction, which is expected to take two years, with completion anticipated by late 2027 or early 2028.

The meeting brought together representatives from CMG, YA Studio, and ARUP, emphasizing a collaborative approach to urban development that not only focuses on infrastructure but also on community engagement and support for local businesses.