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Tenderloin residents press SFPUC for immediate temporary lighting as historic fixtures stall
Summary
Residents and neighborhood organizations told the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 23 that delays in the Tenderloin pedestrian lighting project have created safety and economic harms and demanded temporary lighting on all erected poles while the manufacturer resolves parts issues.
Residents, neighborhood leaders and service providers urged the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 23 to install temporary lighting in the Tenderloin while delivery problems delay historic fixtures.
Simon Bertrand, executive director of the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, said the district is "very excited" about the scale and design of the pedestrian lighting project but disappointed by years of delay and asked whether temporary alternatives could be installed while the historic poles are completed (SEG 163-170).
Community organizer Bryant recalled a 2011 community benefits agreement that funded 100 lights and said the project, originally planned to start in 2016, has been repeatedly delayed by procurement issues and a dispute with PG&E; he said residents were promised "54 to 56 temporary cobra head lights" but have waited seven years and now demand that all 100 poles be lighted temporarily (SEG 214-241, SEG 242-254).
Resident Adam Lissing said prolonged delays make the Tenderloin feel neglected and harm neighborhood pride and business viability (SEG 259-273). Tenant leader David Elliott Lewis said insufficient illumination has caused "lives lost" in his building and urged temporary lighting to protect vulnerable residents (SEG 294-306).
Assistant General Manager for Power Barbara Hale acknowledged delivery of defective product from the manufacturer, said the vendor retooled and that the new shipment reported for Oct. 5 again showed fit problems with components. Hale said crews put temporary lighting from stock into service—about two temporary lights per block—and staff have requested an updated delivery schedule from the distributor by close of business the day of the meeting (SEG 724-756).
Hale said the commission and staff will evaluate whether to purchase additional temporary fixtures versus waiting for the new product, noting a trade-off in lead time for new purchases. She also offered to bring a map and weekly updates showing poles without lights and the locations where temporary lighting has been prioritized (SEG 756-787).
Commissioners asked staff to continue public updates at commission meetings and to investigate whether other cities or agencies have surplus cobra-head fixtures that could be purchased or borrowed to speed temporary coverage (SEG 795-806).
