Commission celebrates Jonas Iona's 20 years with planning department and discusses community spaces

The San Francisco Planning Commission celebrated a significant milestone during their recent meeting, recognizing Jonas Iona for his two decades of dedicated service to the planning department. Commission President Tanner led the acknowledgment, highlighting Iona's contributions over the years, including his ten years as the commission's secretary.

In addition to this recognition, the meeting addressed the closure of the successful Ground Play program, which transformed underutilized public spaces into community areas. The program, which has operated for six years, will conclude with a celebration as the site transitions to housing for teachers. This change reflects the city's ongoing efforts to address housing needs while repurposing public land.

The commission also announced the opening of Treat Plaza, a new open space created from a former rail right-of-way at the intersection of Harrison, Treat, and Sixteenth Streets. This initiative aims to enhance community access to green spaces in the city.

Director Hillis provided an update on the city's economic recovery, noting that office attendance remains at about 35% of pre-pandemic levels, with a vacancy rate of 20%. While hotel occupancy has seen a slight increase to over 50%, it still lags behind the 80% occupancy rate experienced before the pandemic. The director committed to sharing ongoing updates from the Controller's office to keep the commission informed about the city's recovery progress.

As the meeting concluded, the focus on community development and economic recovery underscored the city's commitment to adapting to changing needs while honoring long-standing contributions from dedicated public servants.