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Supervisors press redevelopment agency on Fillmore loan reprogramming and local hiring protections
Summary
The committee debated a redevelopment reprogramming that shifts $3.3M to Fillmore Jazz Preservation District loans and marketing while seeking protections for the Muni Substation and stronger local‑hiring monitoring. Public commenters and supervisors urged guarantees that redevelopment dollars will benefit local residents.
The Budget & Finance Committee spent an extended session on a Redevelopment Agency budget amendment that would reprogram $3,301,225 to support the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District — including revolving loans to four restaurants, marketing and facade/tenant improvements, and an Office of Economic and Workforce Development line — and to transfer the Muni Substation property with conditions to protect its rehabilitation funds.
Redevelopment Deputy Steven Madulli Williams previewed a joint approach with the Mayor's Office; supervisors voiced strong concerns about protecting funds that originally supported the Muni Substation and about whether loans to restaurants would produce promised local hiring. Supervisor (speaker) raised an estimate that Muni Substation rehabilitation would require $9–12M and asked how those protections will be guaranteed when redevelopment jurisdiction ends; the budget analyst recommended legislative language ensuring the agency reports back on loan repayment schedules and details prior to expenditures.
Public comment was lengthy and pointed: residents and community advocates urged stronger local hiring, accountability, transparency and monitoring of loan repayments. Several restaurant owners (including Yoshi's and Rosales) described financial difficulties, restructuring, and commitments to local hiring where feasible.
Committee action: members discussed placing $535,225 (the workforce/marketing portion) on committee reserve and asking Redevelopment and the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development to return within two weeks with a detailed plan on local‑hire commitments and repayment monitoring. The committee planned to reconvene the item next week for further action and potential forwarding to the full Board.
