Senator Wiener Secures $19.8 Million in Funding for New Community Center, Improvements to Produce Market and Street Safety, Upgrades for Local Museums, and More

SAN FRANCISCO - Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced that he has obtained $19.8 million in state budget funds for local San Francisco needs. Senator Wiener championed these projects and investments for the community to improve city resources for low-income communities and communities of color. These funds will also support artists, science education, and local museums.

Senator Wiener obtained the following funding:

-$5 million for the Sunnydale HUB, a community service and recreation center. Sunnydale is a public housing community in the southeastern part of San Francisco, made up primarily of low-income people of color. The community lacks the basic amenities of a San Francisco neighborhood, such as fresh food, access to a public gym, and safe spaces for young people to play. The HUB will serve as a community service and recreation center for local residents.

-$5.5 million to help establish the first-in-the-nation full scale LGBTQ history museum in San Francisco, celebrating and recognizing the history of the LGBTQ community. This museum will also serve as a community gathering space for lectures and events, and as an economic driver for San Francisco, bringing in visitors from around the world.

-$500,000 for the Tenderloin Museum’s basement expansion project. The Tenderloin Museum explores and amplifies the untold stories of a long-marginalized neighborhood through a permanent history exhibition, an art gallery, resident-led walking tours, and a robust schedule of public programs. This year, the Tenderloin Museum has begun the process of planning to remodel their basement so it may serve as an exhibition and event space, doubling the facility’s capacity.

-$2.1 million to the California Academy of Sciences to fund its Thriving California Environmental Learning Plan. Thriving California is a major Academy initiative that has the power to be transformative for all California residents by harnessing scientific data and mobilizing the state’s diverse communities to fight climate change, stop biodiversity loss, and advocate for nature in the Golden State. The Environmental Learning Plan seeks to close the science learning gap by providing every family, community, and K-12 student and teacher in California the opportunity to understand, care about, and act on behalf of local nature.

-$5 million to upgrade The SF Market (San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market) in Bayview-Hunters Point. Bayview-Hunters Point is an underserved community – 85% of its residents live below the poverty line. The SF Market is the only non-profit wholesale produce market of its scale in the country. With this investment, The SF Market will be able to upgrade its facilities and the surrounding infrastructure, directly benefiting the neighborhood and everyone who relies on the market. The SF Market serves as a vital connector for Bayview-Hunters Point and supports economic development as well as food security for the entire Southeast Corridor.

-$1.7 million to The Box Shop, a collaborative art workspace offering affordable studios for Bay Area artists focused on metal and industrial arts. As their lease is ending, The Box Shop hopes to purchase a new space in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. This funding will allow them to purchase and open a new space to continue helping local artists.

“With California’s historic budget surplus, now is the time to deeply invest in our community, particularly in key infrastructure needs,” said Senator Wiener. “These investments will tangibly improve people’s lives. I’m proud to represent such a vibrant community and to champion it in the Legislature.”

“These investments will help ensure that San Franciscans, especially those in communities that have historically been underserved, have access to support and resources to live fulfilling lives,” said Mayor London Breed. “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we need continued investments from all levels of government to support the development of our communities. I want to thank Senator Wiener for all his work to secure this funding in the State budget for the people of San Francisco.”

“The SF Market is deeply grateful to Senator Wiener for his support of our reinvestment project,” said Eli Zigas, The SF Market Board President. “This funding allows us to continue upgrading the critical food infrastructure we provide the 26 merchants at the SF Market, thereby supporting San Francisco food businesses as well as farmers across California. This investment also directly benefits our Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood and also supports our ongoing community programs that address significant food insecurity in the entire Southeast Corridor.”

“With innumerable environmental threats facing California, engaging the next generation in science and conservation is more important than ever,” said Scott Sampson, Executive Director and William R. and Gretchen B. Kimball Chair of the California Academy of Sciences. “We are incredibly grateful for Senator Wiener’s efforts to secure state funding for our Thriving California Environmental Learning Plan, and for his ongoing support of science education. From teacher and youth mentorship to after school programs and family nature clubs, the range of educational resources made possible through this funding will be transformational for teachers, students, and families across California. It will provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to help safeguard and regenerate the natural world.”

“The Box Shop would like to sincerely thank Senator Scott Wiener, his staff and the State of California for the generous support to help us secure a permanent home,” said Charlie Gadeken, owner of The Box Shop. “The Box Shop has served artists and small businesses in San Francisco and the Bay Area with our affordable art studios, collaborative workshop, tools, and equipment for almost 20 years. Our space allows artists to do their work and keeps our City and area alive with their artistic creations! Our lease will end in 2024 with no option to renew. To keep serving local artists and the arts and cultural community, our best opportunity to continue our services long-term is to buy a location. This funding helps us make a giant leap forward towards our goal to save The Box Shop and keep San Francisco creative. Thank you!”