Residents, City College advocates criticize Balboa Reservoir outreach and real‑estate report

Several speakers during public comment at the SFPUC’s Oct. 24 meeting criticized the agency’s characterization of the Balboa Reservoir site and the outreach process tied to ongoing planning.

Christine Hansen, who identified herself as a City College student and advocate, said the mayor’s office and city planning took lead on public outreach in ways that excluded the broader City College community and that she will follow up with a letter documenting examples. "This public comment is long overdue," she said, and asked the commission to pay attention to how outreach has been handled.

Alvin Jha, speaking to item 5.d (the real‑estate annual report), said the report misrepresents community input and minimizes the use of the reservoir by City College students. He characterized the community‑engagement process as a "sham" and told commissioners, "This is a scam. It's a scam to transfer public assets to private interests," urging that the land remain public and suggesting City College as a steward.

Hansen later returned to note the report omitted City College’s role in past land transfers and did not include millions of dollars the college spent using bond funds for reconfiguration. Michael Adams and other speakers also urged commissioners to consider City College access and parking needs as development proceeds.

The public comments were not answered with formal commitments from commissioners at the meeting, but the chair announced that item 12 had been removed from the current agenda and would be placed on the Nov. 14 meeting agenda, where related items may be considered further.

What’s next: Commissioners scheduled related items for Nov. 14 and the public said they will submit additional documentation (letters and handouts) to the commission record.