SFMTA Cuts Affordable Housing Plans Amid Budget Crisis

BREAKING: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has just announced significant cutbacks to its ambitious transit and housing project, citing a staggering $300 million budget deficit. This decision, made public earlier today, has dashed hopes for a transformative facility that combined modern bus maintenance with affordable housing.

The original plan included a state-of-the-art transit hub for Muni, complete with 575 units of affordable housing built above it. However, SFMTA now confirms only 100 units of affordable housing will be constructed nearby, not atop the bus yard as initially envisioned.

Muni’s Chief Mechanical Officer, Michael Henry, showcased the outdated Potrero bus yard, which has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1915. “Today, in order to work on some of these buses, you have to climb down in this pit with limited clearance,” Henry explained, highlighting the urgent need for modernization. The new facility could have improved the work environment significantly, allowing for safer and more efficient operations.

The project had received initial approval from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors just one year ago, marking it as a potential landmark for public transit and housing development. However, financial realities have forced SFMTA to scale back its scope dramatically. “We’re just not going to be able to deliver the same amount of projects with the same scope that we originally anticipated,” said Sean Kennedy, SFMTA’s Chief Planning and Delivery Officer.

San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton lamented the loss of affordable housing units, which were crucial for addressing the city’s ongoing housing crisis. “I fought for the language to say up to 100% but at least 50% affordable,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of mixed-income housing.

The decision comes as SFMTA grapples with a budget deficit that threatens ongoing transit operations. “We have to readjust and take a look at all of our projects,” Kennedy stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

As a result of these cutbacks, the proposed modern bus storage and maintenance facility is now a distant dream. The ambitious concept, which began in 2017, has seen its housing component shrink drastically due to financial constraints. “It’s a missed opportunity,” said Sunny Angulo, a former legislative aide. “These units have evaporated overnight.”

Moving forward, the focus shifts to constructing the new bus yard. The Potrero Neighborhood Collective has committed to financing the project, with SFMTA agreeing to repay the costs over 30 years. However, concerns remain regarding the agency’s ability to manage this debt amid its ongoing budget issues.

As of now, the dream of affordable housing atop a modern transit facility in San Francisco faces significant hurdles. “Kudos to SFMTA for going for it,” said developer Marc Babsin. “Their vision was a great one, but it got complicated.”

The city continues to lag behind on meeting its housing obligations. What could have been a groundbreaking project now serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing urban development in San Francisco. As the situation evolves, all eyes will be on SFMTA’s next steps and the future of affordable housing in the city.