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PUC expands flood-resilience grants after heavy public pleas from Mission business and property owners
Summary
Commission approved modifications to the Flood Water Management Grant Program, increasing total funding to $2 million, capping reimbursements at $30,000 per property and adding eligible measures such as concrete flood walls, in response to repeated flooding reports—especially at 17th and Folsom.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission voted July 14 to approve a set of changes to its Flood Water Management Grant Program that expand eligible projects and increase the fund to $2,000,000.
SFPUC staff said the modified program would reimburse a broader set of measures — including concrete flood walls, garage-door sealing, plumbing modifications and site-specific grading — and would cap reimbursements at $30,000 per property. Staff said the program will continue to be administered by SFPUC with coordination from the Department of Public Works and the Department of Building Inspection and that funds would be distributed after a grant agreement, required permits, installation and final inspection.
The item drew sustained public comment from Mission District property and business owners describing repeated, severe flooding at Seventeenth and Folsom and nearby blocks. Several speakers told commissioners they had been flooded multiple times in recent years; one property owner said he had spent nearly $1 million on flood-prevention work. Mark Jordan and other speakers urged the Commission to approve the grant changes now to provide immediate relief ahead of potential heavy winter storms. Dennis Casey and members of the San Francisco Motorcycle Club described concentrated neighborhood vulnerability and requested help with waterproofing doors and backflow prevention.
Commissioners pressed staff for follow-up on long-term solutions. Commissioner (asked for a presentation) requested a dedicated presentation on permanent solutions for Seventeenth and Folsom — whether improvements should be part of the Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP) or managed through stormwater infrastructure, and how pipe capacity, subsurface storage and planned housing/park projects intersect with potential flood-control approaches. Staff agreed to prepare a historical summary of the site, evaluate regulatory constraints on storing or reusing overflow water, and report on timelines for related housing and park projects.
After the public comment period, the Commission approved the modifications and instructed staff to continue aggressive outreach so property owners in flood-prone neighborhoods can apply for the expanded reimbursements.
The Commission also limited public speaking time to allow many residents to testify during the lengthy discussion.
