Chris Daly vs. The Developers

He's at it again. Chris Daly has found a way to squeeze even more money out of developers in SOMA, while somehow managing to reduce the availability of basic items. According to Matier and Ross in today's Chronicle, "in addition to rent subsidies and affordable housing for people in the area, the deal also allows the money to be used for "leadership development, community cohesion, civic participation and community based programs.''"

But there's a catch... "The funny part is, thanks to Daly's grab, the city may come up short on the money for park space and other amenities needed to serve the new neighborhood, according to City Hall insiders."

I'm sure that SOMA's non-profits appreciate this extra effort by Daly, but what this city needs is MORE HOUSING. Keep finding ways to make it more difficult and developers will build elsewhere... And if you take away basic city services for the middle-class, you run the risk of hurting the values of the available housing down the road. There are problems across the board, Chris. The city's lower economic classes may be the only people who vote for you, but they're not the only ones you should pay attention to...

Jack McGoldrick was quoted in an SF Gate article as he got into the act by fighting for the money to be spread city-wide. "I don't want this city getting balkanized," McGoldrick said. "I don't want this city getting fractured, and I think unfortunately that is what's happening here today. We should think as one city, not as 11 districts."