Westside Observer

Sketch Alternative C, which included bringing Stanley Creek to the surface, has been tabled and is no longer under consideration. Residents said the proposal raised maintenance questions because the Merced Extension Triangle neighborhood already helps care for some nearby green spaces. Residents said improvements to the Alemany Boulevard median could still be worthwhile, particularly where landscaping is currently limited or overgrown.

The story illustrates how people often ignore, adapt to, or fail to respond to gradual, harmful changes in life, relationships, taxes or business—leading to disastrous but avoidable consequences. The danger of the slow-moving threat Voters often accept “creeping” decline because the change is gradual, rather than reacting to abrupt shifts such as reduced government services, higher taxes, rising costs of living and declining quality of life.

Clock Ticks on Twin Peaks Land as Owner Pushes Preservation Deal George Wooding • • • • • • May 2026 • • • • • • Aquiet stretch of undeveloped land at the gateway to Twin Peaks has become the focus of an urgent neighborhood preservation campaign: donate the property for open space — or risk losing it to development. Midtown Terrace swings into action to secure rare open-space donation as developer sale looms.

SFUSD’s chronic absenteeism warnings remain deep in the red as the district pursues ambitious math and literacy goals. The district sets audacious academic goals — while reducing the staff and resources aimed at getting students into classrooms. Carol Kocivar • • • • • • • • May 2026 • • • • • • • • San Francisco Unified School District has set audacious goals to improve reading and math. But missing from the equation is a time-proven strategy: Make sure kids come to school.

Decisions inside City Hall could determine whether San Francisco assumes billions in new utility costs—and whether ratepayers ultimately foot the bill. A Multi-Billion Dollar Bet With Unknown Costs City’s bid to seize infrastructure collides with rising costs—and a public left holding the bill. Steve Lawrence • • • • • • • • • May 2026 • • • • • • • • • Recently San Francisco has effectively offered $3.4 billion for PG&E’s local electrical facilities.

A vintage-style illustration links the “Tar Baby” allegory to the Hunters Point Shipyard cleanup, where new radiation findings have deepened public concern over transparency, accountability and repeated claims of “ 'lab error.'” New contamination detections entangle regulators, residents and trust in a Superfund controversy that keeps getting harder to escape.

As we reach the May pinnacle of California’s June 2, 2026 primary election — early voting by mail starts May 4 — 62 candidates have presented themselves as worthy of serving four years as our next governor.

The Verdi Building in North Beach tells a story of neglect, greed, trampling of residents’ rights, and the political connections of an owner and his paid lobbyists and lawyers, who met with elected officials while the community was shut out. “Emergency” Demolition Raises Red Flags For more than 100 years, the Verdi building has stood on the corner of Columbus and Union.

Ocean Beach and San Francisco’s western shoreline could face new development pressure after the California Coastal Commission approved changes to the City’s Local Coastal Plan. Pedestrian view from La Playa and Fulton Street, rendering by Steinberg Hart A 10–1 vote clears the way for taller market-rate housing near San Francisco’s western shoreline — and raises a blunt question: who is the coast being protected for?

It’s been said that “there is nothing quite as permanent as a temporary government program.” And, as we enter income tax month, I’m reminded of someone who observed: “Patrick Henry ought to come back and see what taxation with representation is like.” “A Voter-Created Task Force Moves to Cut Commissions” Meanwhile, a City Hall task force has begun recommending the elimination of dozens of boards and commissions — bodies established to provide public oversight and advice on municipal subjects...