by Nick Ferris
As President of Telegraph Hill Dwellers and someone who grew up in North Beach, I thought now would be an opportune time to reflect on how I see our neighborhood right now, how we got here, and, ultimately, why I am so excited about our future.
Over the last few years, our neighborhood has seen extraordinary growth and revitalization, reaffirming its status as one of San Francisco’s cultural and historical treasures.
Reflection
First, let’s celebrate our accomplishments. North Beach is doing incredibly well! It’s easy to get pulled into the spiral of negativity plaguing our news cycles or misinformation pushed by opportunistic politicians. Let’s keep things in perspective and acknowledge the progress we’ve made in recent times. Washington Square Park is once again our neighborhood’s living room, thanks to the installation of proper drainage. The Embarcadero Freeway parcels have been built out as affordable housing, including, most recently, Broadway Cove at Broadway and Front Street. The Broadway streetscape improvements—the stretch of street from the Broadway Tunnel to the Embarcadero—are completed.
We have a new pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Stockton and Green Streets, bringing a much-needed shortcut to cross Columbus. We saw a Commercial Vacancy tax pass, Luke’s Local was brought to the neighborhood, and Club Fugazi reopened as home to the 7 Fingers. We planted 51 trees around the neighborhood in partnership with Friends of the Urban Forest this past year, and, last, minimum density housing legislation, requiring new housing development to have multiple units instead of massive monster homes, was enacted.
We have seen our small business community grow, too. The Savoy Tivoli, North Beach Restaurant and Park Tavern are again back in business. Over the past year, two new cafes have opened on Columbus Avenue—Compton Coffee and Cafe Angolo—bringing fresh energy and charm. Grant Avenue is flourishing, with the 1200 block boasting just one vacancy, the 1300 block having none, and the 1400 block welcoming two new businesses (Seaplane Shirts and another business with a lease signed and soon to be announced).
Green Street has come alive with activity: April Jean is now open, and it all echoes the vibrancy I remember from years past. These are just a few of the major wins and advancements I have seen, and I am sure you can think of many more.
How did we get here?
Our resilience during COVID-19 played a huge role. We adopted policies that supported businesses without compromising the neighborhood’s character. For example, we were the first in San Francisco to introduce parklets, starting with Caffe Trieste. This innovation, rooted in our community’s creativity, was soon adopted citywide.
The formula retail ban has been a cornerstone of our success. Today, any business with more than 11 stores worldwide is not allowed in North Beach, ensuring that North Beach retains its unique character, free from the encroachment of generic corporate chains. The ban supports the small businesses we all love where the proprietor is often working in the storefront. It also prevents gentrification because chains can pay higher rents, thus setting up a domino effect once retail tenants like Starbucks enter the picture, as it can incentivize some landlords to force beloved businesses out to attract a Starbucks-like tenant at a much higher rate.
Strong tenant protections and rent control have also been essential, guarding against large corporate landlords who manage hundreds of apartments without personal connection to the community. When people move to North Beach, they often stay permanently and can do so because of these protections. A core part of THD’s mission has become educating tenants on their rights and helping them when in need. We must continue to protect against illegal evictions and the loss of rent-controlled units.
Our smaller-scale buildings are also part of what make this neighborhood so special. There’s a beauty in how all buildings scale up Telegraph Hill until you reach Coit Tower. Not until I lived in New York City did I fully appreciate the hills with the Bay in the background and bright blue skies, all unblocked by cookie-cutter towers. All this, combined with tree plantings, thoughtful zoning controls, and the many neighbors dedicated to beautifying and protecting our community, provide an essential glimpse into how we ensure our neighborhood remains diverse, livable, and affordable going forward.
Finally, we have had excellent leadership, and I would like to thank our former Supervisor, Aaron Peskin. I think all reading this and who reside in this area will say we live in one of, if not the greatest, neighborhoods in San Francisco. Aaron Peskin has been our Supervisor for 17 of the past 24 years. He is one of the smartest and most respected San Francisco politicians of recent time. Known for his tireless work ethic and encyclopedic knowledge of the history of legislation, he has been a prolific and effective legislator. We have been guided to the outstanding position we are in today, and we’re grateful for his dedication to San Francisco.
Why I’m Excited
As President of Telegraph Hill Dwellers, I could not be more excited for the year ahead. Our membership has grown significantly, and we now have more members than at any point since I have been on the board. This increase in participation reflects the deep sense of pride and engagement within our community, and it energizes our entire board as we plan for an impactful and enjoyable year. We are thrilled to have more people than ever contributing their voices, ideas, and talents to make our neighborhood an even better place to live.
The recent supervisorial election revealed an inspiring statistic: About a quarter of voters in our District were first-time participants. This means many new residents are moving into the neighborhood, bringing fresh perspectives and a renewed vibrancy to our community. This influx of new neighbors presents an exciting opportunity for growth. At the same time, it reminds us of the importance of sharing our rich history—how this community came to be the beloved place that has attracted so many in the first place. By fostering a sense of continuity and connection between long-standing residents and newcomers, we will strengthen the fabric of our neighborhood.
Looking forward, one of our key goals is to organize more social events that bring people together in meaningful and fun ways. Whether it’s casual gatherings, seasonal celebrations, or activities that highlight our shared interests, we are committed to creating opportunities for neighbors to connect. Additionally, we will be hosting community days of service, where we will roll up our sleeves to plant trees, improve our public spaces, and take on projects that benefit everyone. These hands-on efforts not only beautify our surroundings but also build lasting bonds between neighbors working side-by-side. I am excited to see what we can accomplish together as we continue to grow, celebrate, and serve this incredible community we all call home.