A Great Benefit for Seniors, Children and People with a Disability
Two Viable Locations for a Functional Oceanview Library
• • • • • • • February 2025 • • • • • • •
Iattended a meeting with the new Supervisor of District 11, Chyanne Chen, on January 25. Supervisor Chen, considered a strong advocate for labor, was introduced to us by Supervisor Melgar, who thanked her for increasing the list of women on the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Chen emphasized that the Oceanview district’s need for a new library, there was unanimous agreement. The Supervisor had an aid who vehemently believed the Oceanview Library needed to be at 100 Orizaba Avenue. Her neighbor believed the same and was sure the SFCTA plans, when finished, would be able to mitigate all site and traffic difficulties at the site. I disagreed strongly, as I have previously stated.
BUILD NEW OCEANVIEW LIBRARY BESIDE 333 RANDOLPH
Supervisor Chen’s meeting was across the street from 333 Randolph Street, a property in litigation. It consisted of 4 residential units and 18 commercial storage and basement storage units. Unfortunately, 13 commercial spaces were rented to the public as apartments for thousands of dollars. This large commercial property was renting rooms with no windows and some apartments with bathrooms and kitchens, but without permits because of a lack of ventilation. In addition, the property had poor electrical connections, requiring extension cords to provide access to electric power, creating a fire hazard. This location for the new Oceanview Library would seem ideal since it is next door to the existing library and would create a new library four times larger than the existing library. Also, accessible public transportation with safe platforms is nearby.
This location for the new Oceanview Library would seem ideal since it is next door to the existing library and would create a new library four times larger than the existing library. Also, accessible public transportation with safe platforms is nearby.”
The City could compensate those who are forced to leave 333 Randolph Street against their will with housing at Parkmerced. Any housing beyond the ability of the residents to pay could access Section 8 residents or similar assistance. Public transportation is available via the 57 bus, which travels in a circle around all of Parkmerced and eventually ends up at Daly City BART. At the BART Station, numerous buses that reach all over the Bay Area are available for commuters.
WHY 333 RANDOLPH STREET LOCATION IS BEST
Imagine the disappointment an elderlyperson might feel if the library were moved to a new location and they missed the notification. This imaginary senior could walk to the library only to find it closed. Leaving the library where it is, eliminates such a scenario.
There are many advantages to the library being at 333 Randolph. First, it is on a wide street with a streetcar rambling down the road at 3-5 mph, calming traffic. Most importantly, the library is beside public transportation with large platforms to allow handicapped exit from the streetcar and only a block away from the library on a slight slope. It is better protected from traffic because, off in the distance, a tower blocks the sun from shining directly into the eyes of anyone driving at sunset. This location is also in a developing central Oceanview with a coffee shop and children’s daycare center across the street. The proximity to the daycare center and a library cannot be underestimated. 50-100 small children are able to visit and explore the new library daily, a great advantage for the library and the daycare center. Such a location for the library provides economic synergy with other businesses nearby. Unlike other proposed locations, the new library would be built on rock, lowering the construction cost. In addition, no expensive signal lights are necessary and utilities are readily available. In this location, the library is no longer an “attractive nuisance,” unnecessarily endangering children, seniors, and the handicapped from excessively long, difficult, or dangerous crosswalks.
LOT AT BEVERLY AND SARGENT STREET
Another location, a parking lot that has been for sale by the Temple United Methodist Church at the intersection of Beverly and Sargent Street, has many of the same advantages as 333 Randolph. It also has a wide street, is adjacent to public transportation, and has a religious community nearby that could use the library for children’s programs. It would provide the church an opportunity to inform the secular community of public events at the church they might not be aware of. Also, the library could benefit from the presence of children of all ages who are provided daycare from birth to age 3 (Temple Tots), from age 3 to preschool (Temple Time) and a nationally accredited early childhood education and care center (Methodist Temple Children’s Center) located at the church. Again, any library next to a facility that fosters the development and care of children would greatly benefit from a library nearby. Also, this site is a blank slate and could provide a garage that would allow children to be dropped off or picked up. Seniors could drive into such a library location and park, something which is unavailable at the other sites considered as a library site. Since automobile parking is scarce in the City, this one location could provide parking, which is desperately needed. Therefore, this location for an Oceanview Library is an excellent choice also!
With either new location for a library, I would ask the architect to consider a “roof garden,” basketball court, and other teen sports to keep youth active and engaged.
Now, the Oceanview district has two good library locations.
Glenn Rogers, RLA,
President, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods (CSFN)
February 2025
