Bayview contractors and local developers urge OCII to create development-level pathways

Community speakers at the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure’s Jan. 20 workshop told commissioners they want development-level participation and clearer pathways for local micro-developers and contractors as Candlestick, Mission Bay and Hunters Point projects move forward.

Demetrius Williams, president of the San Francisco Hyperlocal Building Trades Contractors Collective, praised OCII’s outreach and asked that project resources and contracts flow to Bayview residents and local contractors. "Hopefully, we can get those resources to some of the contractors in the community and get involved with, the development of the community," Williams said.

Andrew King, a retired city plumber and certificate preference holder, described a personal experience with predatory lenders and thanked community advocates and staff who helped secure a judicial order returning his property.

Remote callers expanded on local-development requests. Dennis Williams Jr., principal of DC Williams Development Company and executive director of the Fillmore Community Development Corporation, urged OCII to create early-stage engagement and a “pipeline for microdevelopment advancement” so micro-developers can partner with master developers and participate in community benefit delivery rather than only in contracting. "We must identify pathways for the local microdevelopers to where the master developers and I and others can explore opportunities," Williams said.

Speakers framed these requests as part of OCII’s equity goals: they asked that community benefits and training translate into contracting and ownership opportunities for historically underrepresented residents and small developers. Staff did not announce a new program in response during the workshop; Director Koslovsky acknowledged the points and emphasized OCII will continue community engagement and coordination with other city offices.

The speakers’ requests will be part of the public record as staff incorporate workshop feedback before the Oversight Board meeting on Jan. 26 and the State Department of Finance submission by Feb. 1.