Richmond Neighborhood Center leaders urge SFUSD to halt RFP and extend lease

Representatives of the Richmond Neighborhood Center and allied community members told the board the district moved toward redevelopment of 741 30th Avenue without adequate notice to the center's tenants and users.

"While we sought a lease renewal and planned capital improvements, SFUSD moved the property toward redevelopment without telling us," said Michelle Casano, executive director of the Richmond Neighborhood Center, and asked the board to "grant the Richmond Neighborhood Center a minimum 5 year lease extension and sit down with us and our community to determine the site's future."

Center staff and volunteers described services that would be disrupted if the site were redeveloped without a negotiated transition: after-school programs, senior services, a food pantry and emergency-preparedness work that reaches thousands. The district's superintendent acknowledged the importance of community partnerships, said she had not released one of the contested RFPs and committed to further internal discussions and outreach before proceeding.

Board members and staff agreed to continue engagement with affected community organizations and to explore lease- and engagement-based options to reduce harm to existing programs.