North Beach Neighbors would like to thank member Robin Carr and Landis Communications for their generous support and recognition of North Beach Neighbors. Robin, a longtime member of North Beach Neighbors, chose to support us with a $320 donation from Landis. She also included a write-up profiling our organization’s work. We have included the profile below for you to read. Thank you Robin, and thank you Landis!
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“According to new data from the American Housing Survey, San Franciscans are more likely to be thinking about skipping town in the next year than residents of any other major metropolitan area.
Another survey, conducted once every two years by the U.S. Census Bureau, shows that about 18 percent of residents in the San Francisco metropolitan area plan on moving from their homes in the next year.
We’ve all seen stories on various broadcast networks and social media: San Francisco needs work.
But I can tell you firsthand that North Beach is thriving. That’s where I live.
This San Francisco Chronicle story recently wrote about how “the historic San Francisco neighborhood is in the middle of a revival, with a steady influx of restaurant openings as one of the strongest signs of life. Pedestrian traffic has returned, tourists have come back, and business is up.”
During the pandemic, North Beach stayed as vibrant as possible. Local eateries were open for takeout, and later built dozens of festive outdoor parklets. Neighbors were connecting and there was a communal vibe.
This is why I chose to donate my $320 to North Beach Neighbors (NBN), a San Francisco nonprofit organization that provides a forum for more than 300 North Beach residents, local businesses, and civic leaders to discuss local neighborhood concerns such as land use, development, and parks and recreation. Their overall mission: to preserve the local charm, small business character, and open space in North Beach.
Some of the NBN activities include:
Collaborating with the local police department to reduce crime.
Partnering with Parks & Rec to improve open spaces in our community, such as Washington Square Park and Joe DiMaggio playground – a two-acre park with a children’s play area, tennis courts, bocce courts, pool building, and sports courts.
Creating friendship and good times: Saturday Farmers Market, Senior Living Assistance, Neighborhood Nights at the Symphony, and many other community activities.
With “North Beach Delivers,” during the pandemic, NBN launched a restaurant relief program that raised more than $200,000 for neighborhood restaurants. It was all made possible by NBN volunteers who showed up each week to deliver meals from restaurants without any delivery fees. People really stepped up to keep North Beach’s small businesses open and neighbors fed during this challenging time. Plus, residents were able to enjoy their favorite restaurant fare at home.
Of course, there’s more to be done. NBN is responding to the rise in vacant storefronts by advocating for new grocery stores, specialty food stores, and food halls throughout North Beach.
But I witnessed tourists from all over the world return this summer to enjoy this amazing Italian-heritage neighborhood, the checked-tablecloth trattorias, cafes, retro-flavored bars, the spirit of the Beat Generation at the storied City Lights bookstore, and a scenic hike to Coit Tower with murals and panoramic views.
San Franciscans may be moving out, but I fell back in love with my North Beach neighborhood. I am not leaving. In fact, I’m digging in.”
