City of Dreams meets Gardens of Quesada

1944 to 2011 perspective on Third

The Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood is undergoing rapid change, spurred by the economy, redevelopment, new arrivals to the area, and other forces.

These images, one taken in 1944 (from the SF Public Library website) and the other a week ago from a similar vantage point, show that change is not just a recent phenomenon.

 

The changes that pop from these pictures, book-ending a 77 year stretch of time, are ones that have to do with transportation and other aspects of the urban infrastructure - things over which those who live, work or play in the neighborhood have had limited control.

But a closer look reveals changes to the commercial landscape along Bayview's main drag. The first clue is in the greater number of signs and associated small businesses in 1944 when Bayview was enjoying a boom time, associated with the Shipyard and WWII, as compared with today's sleepier activity. These aspects of life in our neighborhood are ones over which neighbors and entrepreneurs can work (and are working!) to improve.

Local history buffs have told Footprints that the building (far right) that now houses a program of the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation for Community Improvement would become the location of Fuller's Pharmacy three years after the older photograph was taken. The building on the far left, with the Kaufman's sign, and the building next door to Bank of American have been torn down to make way for an empty lot and the newer building seen in the recent photograph. 

The single story structure on the corner of Third and Quesada, where Wendy's is now located (after a move from several doors down) at one time housed Rizzato Realty. Across the street, the 3-story structure made way for Bay View Federal Savings and Loan, and later for U.S. Bank.

Do you have memories or mementos of the neighborhood "back in the day?" We love to digitally copy photographs and films of place, people and life in Bayview Hunters Point, and invite you to email us or call 415.822.0800 with ideas.

City of Dreams on Quesada

This Saturday, beginning at 10am, the dream of better connecting the communities on Hunters Point Hill with those in the heart of Bayview will come closer to reality when the City of Dreams youth program located at the 1030 Oakdale community center brings youth and mentors to the Quesada Gardens for a day of learning and community building.

Quesada Gardens Initiative hosts a volunteer experience every Saturday that hundreds of individual neighbors and groups from throughout the area have taken part in. Neighbors are excited about the young visitors scheduled for this Saturday, and are organizing additional activities that will include:

• an orientation to Quesada Gardens and its history,
• a beginners gardening demonstration,
• a sidewalk art activity, and
• light gardening at 2 locations on the 1700 block of Quesada.

Everyone is welcome. Meet at the community mural and gathering area (cul de sac at end of 1700 block of Quesada one block west of 3rd) at 10am. Lunch and a "closing circle" are scheduled for about 1pm.

Pictured is QGI horticulturist Tony Tarket who will offer a gardening demonstration this Saturday.

Sunday Streets 2011 in sunny Bayview

The northbound lane of 3rd Street was closed from Evans to Mendell on Sunday June 12th as part of the City's Sunday Streets program.  Community-serving organizations brought activities ranging from free health services to a battle of the Bayview cooks to the event.

All sorts of family-friendly fun opportunities lined 3rd Street with concentrated activity at the Bayview Opera House and Bayview Plaza.  The weather wizards delivered some of Bayview's famous sunshine, just for the occasion.

Something for everyone at music festival

"You've never seen anything like it," James Moore says of the Shrimp N' Grits Cook-Off.

James manages the Third Street Corridor Program, and is an organizer for the 2nd Annual Bayview Music Street Festival.  The lineup of musical acts included Juan Escovedo and the Latin All-Stars, Ashling Cole of Graham Central Station, Rhonda Benin and the Soulful Strut, and Clifford Brown III and the Brewing Company.

James has sat in every other meeting room in the neighborhood these past months making sure Bayview Hunters Point residents know about the festival on Galvez Avenue at Third Street (Next to Bayview Plaza).

His eyes light up when he mentions the “People’s Choice Shrimp N’ Grits Cook-Off” which pit local food luminaries against one another.  Proceeds benefitted the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.

The festival also included local arts and crafts vendors, roller skate rentals, and a church dessert contest.

With one lane of Third Street closed, and dozens of community serving organizations offering activities, Bayview hosted active living visitors and folks from the neighborhood alike.  With fog visible in the distance, Bayview's famous sun stayed true, and welcoming residents opened one of San Francisco's most unique neighborhoods for all to enjoy.

Congratulations to all the volunteers, community-based organizations, and public agencies that worked hard to make today's event such a success.  HUGE thanks to the Bayview Opera House, Bayview Renaissance/Third Street Corridor Project, Bayview Merchants Association, and the Sunday Streets Program for hosting and organizing!

Heard on the street

"Getting Dogpatch and Bayview people in the same room during the organizing really broke new ground."

"Yup, it's been peaceful.  I was only worried about the weather, but that's been great."  (Police Officer)

"It feels like we've arrived...sort of."

"I'm fixing to head over to the festival in a bit."

"Have I missed the Shrimp n' Grits contest?"

"I love how the politicians always come to Bayview."

"This is the first time an event on Third Street has really felt right to me."

"We've given away 150 pieces of fruit!"

"These things don't change the neighborhood, but they end up showing how much the neighborhood has already changed."

See you on Third...TODAY!

The northbound lane of Third Street will be closed from Evans to Mendell Sunday June 12th from 11am to 4pm as part of the city's Sunday Streets program. Community serving organizations have organized activities from free health services to a battle of the Bayview cooks.

All sorts of family-friendly fun opportunities will line Third Street with concentrated activity at the Bayview Opera House and Bayview Plaza. The weather wizards promise some of Bayview's famous sunshine, just for the occasion.

Something for everyone at music festival

"You've never seen anything like it," James Moore says of the Shrimp N' Grits Cook-Off.

James manages the Third Street Corridor Program, and is an organizer for the 2nd Annual Bayview Music Street Festival to be held tomorrow from noon to 5pm. While the lineup of musical acts is impressive (it includes Juan Escovedo and the Latin All-Stars, Ashling Cole of Graham Central Station, Rhonda Benin and the Soulful Strut, and Clifford Brown III and the Brewing Company), the down home, back-slapping fun may be what most folks remember.

James has sat in every other meeting room in the neighborhood these past months making sure Bayview Hunters Point residents know about the festival on Galvez Avenue at Third Street (Next to Bayview Plaza).

His eyes light up when he mentions the “People’s Choice Shrimp N’ Grits Cook-Off” which will pit local food luminaries against one another between 2pm and 4pm. Tasting tickets for the contest will be sold for $5, with proceeds benefiting Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.

The festival will also include local arts and crafts vendors, roller skate rentals, and a church dessert contest.

Health and fun meet-up at Opera House

The Bayview Opera House will host a collaborative health fair, tomorrow from 11am to 4pm, that will feature free health screenings alongside active-living opportunities for children and adults alike.

The collaborative health fair is the second that organizers have brought to the Opera House, and promises to be the best yet. UCSF clinicians will provide free dental screenings and fluoride treatments for community youth. Health workers from the SF Department of Public Health will provide prenatal care to expectant mothers. Massage therapists from California Pacific Medical Center will be on hand to relax moms, and help ensure their kids are healthy and strong.

A big hit last year, emergency responders from EMS Division, Station 49 will be back with their 40 foot MCU vehicle to promote an upcoming CPR class. Other reasons to stop by the event include free arts activities for kids, yoga, bikes, a 40 foot graffiti wall, Zumba class (Mendell Plaza at 11:30am), music and other live performance.

Gospel Singer Bridgette Bailey will perform inside the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, 4705 3rd St., at 3pm. A $10 donation is requested.