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Committee forwards Civic Center Community Benefit District ballot authorization to Board after mix of support and opposition
Summary
The committee recommended that the Board of Supervisors allow the mayor to cast ballots for 11 city parcels in the Civic Center Community Benefit District ballot proceeding, following OEWD outreach and mixed public comment about privatization and homelessness concerns.
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to forward a resolution asking the Board of Supervisors to authorize the mayor to cast ballots on behalf of the city—s 11 parcels in the proposed Civic Center Community Benefit District (CBD).
Lisa Pagan, OEWD project manager, told supervisors the parcels the city owns represent 24.27% of the proposed district by assessed value and that departmental outreach has produced support from several commissions and major lessees. Pagan said ballots will be counted at a public hearing on Jan. 4 and that authorizing the mayor to cast the city—s ballots does not require supervisors to vote for establishing the district on that date.
Public commenters were split. Some urged creation of a Civic Center CBD to address maintenance and homelessness in high‑use downtown areas; others warned that CBDs can produce private control of public space and asked supervisors to protect democratic oversight. Ernestine Waters Weiss spoke in favor; Peter Warfield (Library Users Association) opposed the city's participation in a CBD, calling it "anti‑democratic." OEWD noted support from the War Memorial Board, PUC, MTA, the Asian Art Museum and other entities.
What happens next: the Board will consider authorizing the mayor to cast the city—s ballots on Dec. 14; a separate public hearing and final tally is scheduled for Jan. 4, when affected parcels and ballots will be publicly reported.
Quote: "These parcels represent 24.27% of the district," said Lisa Pagan, describing the city—s voting weight in the ballot phase.
The committee—s action forwards the question to the Board; supervisors signaled caution and said they want to ensure substantial participation from property owners outside the city before giving definitive city backing.
