Issues
District 10 was built by strong communities that refused to be ignored by City Hall.
These communities organized early on because they knew there were no powerful special interests standing by to lift up their voices – only tireless neighborhood leaders, tenacious small business coalitions and parents who wanted more for their children.
J.R. Eppler is running for Supervisor to bring our communities’ voices to City Hall and advocate on behalf of neighborhood priorities. And he understands the importance of focusing on the details and the dollars and cents. Our residents have big plans for our District – J.R. is ready to roll up his sleeves to help them get it done.
Housing that Works for Us
J.R. believes in a community-centered approach to housing development, preservation, and rehabilitation. San Francisco has seen great success with neighborhood plans for housing that bring together community input, long-term needs, great design, and space for small businesses. These comprehensive plans also help clear bureaucratic hurdles – giving these improvements the power they need to speed past delays. J.R.’s approach has already helped District 10 entitle and build more housing and family friendly units in developments like Pier 70, the Mason on Mariposa, and the Power Station. He will work with residents in each of our neighborhoods as we plan the future of housing in the district to make sure new developments complement what is already great about our neighborhoods. And he will fight back against the displacement of the very families and small businesses that make our District special.
Safety and Community
While falling crime rates are good news for San Francisco, we know that not all communities have evenly benefitted. J.R. will work to make sure proven crime reduction tactics - like community policing and neighborhood-based foot patrols - are thoughtfully implemented in District 10, which continues to have some of the highest crime rates in the City. J.R. will also push for community enrichment programs - like summer jobs for youth and after school programs - that give young people better opportunities. He will work closely with our families, merchants and neighborhood groups for changes that make a difference – street-scaping, safe public parks, and effective community efforts. J.R. finds the time to roll up his sleeves and help with community efforts like trash pickup and beautification projects. As counsel for merchants associations, public-housing community building non-profits, and parks groups, J.R. knows that neighborhood efforts make a difference – and deserve City support.
Public Facilities
District 10 is underserved when it comes to basic public services. A growing population and the large number of families (we have more children than almost any other District in SF!) means the need for new libraries, community centers and parks in the District is even more urgent. As the husband of a public librarian, J.R. knows these institutions are vital to a healthy community and will push to make them happen.
Re-Connecting Our District
J.R. grew up in Oklahoma City, in a house his parents worked long hours to buy. A few years after their hard-earned purchase, Interstate 44 cut through, less than 30 feet from their kitchen window. The Interstate cut their neighborhood in half. That experience stayed with J.R. He knows how government decisions can affect families, and has fought for healthy infrastructure and transit support for D10. J.R. advocated and worked to establish the new 15 and 55 bus lines. He has fought for safe bicycle lanes throughout the district, and worked with developers and MTA to support new growth with new transit. But there’s more to be done – through more efficient transit connections, walking and biking paths trails and even the long-delayed Bayview CalTrain Station – to make it easier for our residents to enjoy the rest of San Francisco and for other residents to see how amazing the “Sunrise” District really is. Our District built San Francisco – its shipyards, manufacturing facilities and power plants literally powered the City’s economy for decades, and the District’s residents are the backbone of our workforce. It’s time for the City to re-invest in our District by supporting public transportation and safe streets.
Vibrant Merchant Corridors
As a small business serving other small businesses, J.R. knows the importance of a healthy local economy – and often, that means strong merchants and commercial corridors. J.R. has worked for years with the Potrero-Dogpatch Merchants Association, the Bayview Merchants Association and the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations to help our businesses thrive. With those neighbors, J.R. has worked hard to improve Third Street and make it safer and more successful. He has supported local festivals that support businesses, such as the Potrero Hill Festival and the Bayview Block Party. But support from City Hall would go a long way in strengthening these efforts through streetscaping, community policing, additional festivals and events and more consistent street cleaning. Third Street connects historic neighborhoods and is home to wonderful small businesses at the heart of D10. J.R.’s vision will help Third Street become a community showplace that connects our District and supports our local economy. J.R. will work with our residents to support other merchant corridors, from Leland to 17th Street that are the foundation for walkable and liveable communities.
Growing Our Economic Base While Lifting Up Our Families
Economic growth shouldn’t come at the expense of our families, but often it feels like it does. J.R. believes new innovation businesses that locate in our District should be incorporated into the fabric of our communities so that we can all thrive. New economic plans must center housing – especially affordable housing – so new jobs don’t displace long-time residents with high rents and insufficient infrastructure. And that new housing should include common sense measures (like affordable housing, family friendly units, right-to-return priority and neighborhood priority) so that our residents can benefit from the success of our communities. Further, J.R. will work with new and existing businesses to create job opportunities for our residents, including support for expanded local recruitment, job training in partnership with City College, mentorship/internship programs for young people and dedicated spaces for legacy small businesses and community organizations. As a business attorney and an MBA, J.R. knows the law and knows how businesses juggle priorities – he can speak the language and craft solutions that work.
Smart Funding
J.R. understands that to move forward on any plan (whether it’s new housing, city parks or commercial corridor improvements), we need to make sure we have available funding. In a time of city budget deficits and national financial uncertainty, J.R. supports creative solutions – like a public bank and enhanced infrastructure finance districts – that ensure when a project is ready to go, it can start. J.R. has over 10 years of experience bringing neighbors together at the table to solve problems. He will engage all the stakeholders and refuse to give up until roadblocks are removed.
Hunters Point Clean-Up
While the shipyards represent a great opportunity for smart growth in D10, these plans must address the real concerns of local residents. Black San Franciscans in our District face a higher mortality rate than any other demographic in the area due to environmental racism. The Hunters Point clean up effort has let residents down and undercut their confidence that their health is a priority. The complicated and muddled history of remediation (including outright fabrication of test results) has done little to promote community trust. J.R. will work with the community to advocate for state and federal oversight and funding to ensure any cleanup and remediation produces safe and verifiable results.
Providing the Resources that Reduce Homelessness
A disproportionate number of unhoused residents live in District 10. Yet, the availability of services has not kept pace with the need. J.R. worked with neighbors for years on community improvements to reduce encampment and homelessness, such as the Potrero Gateway project and the Family Stayover Shelter at Downtown High School. He has negotiated with Caltrans regarding stewardship of land under the freeways, and worked with multiple stakeholders on improvements to neighborhood hotspots. But J.R. knows well that neighbors working together can’t do it on their own – they need help from the City. He will advocate for supportive housing, shelters and behavioral health facilities to serve unhoused residents to serve our unhoused residents and improve safety on our streets. And he will advocate for city-wide comprehensive solutions to make sure every part of San Francisco is doing its fair share to address the crisis on our streets.