Green Benefit District Renewed Until 2040

Sixty-one percent of 1,968 property owners approved renewing the Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District (GBD) for another 15-year term, until 2040. Support was significantly lower than the more than 90 percent ratification rate organizers had anticipated based on pre-election surveys. Still, a simple majority was enough to secure unanimous endorsement from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors last month. 

“From maintaining parks and sidewalks to planting trees and improving public spaces, the Dogpatch-Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District has delivered real results led by the people who live there,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. It supports “…our climate goals, improves quality of life and builds community from the ground up at a time when we need more green infrastructure, culture, and equity in our neighborhoods.” 

Prior to the election, GBD’s assessment base consisted of 1,403 properties, with 1,150 owners. The GBD originally comprised two zones. The Dogpatch area was bounded by Mariposa Street to the north, Illinois to the east, Iowa and Pennsylvania streets to the west, and Cesar Chavez to the south. Northwest Potrero Hill was defined by 16th Street to the north, Potrero Avenue to the east, Vermont and Kansas streets to the west, and 19th to the south. 

As part of the renewal vote GBD’s boundary was moved roughly two blocks east to Texas Street between Cesar Chavez and part of 25th Street. GBD now takes responsibility for management and maintenance of Tunnel Top Park, above the southern portion of the Caltrain tunnel. Northwest Potrero Hill will expand one block south to 20th Street between Utah and Kansas streets, incorporating stretches of San Bruno Avenue and Vermont Street between 19th and 20th streets. 

The 2025/2026 annual assessment revenue is roughly $882,000, with the district receiving another $18,000 in contributions.  The fee for commercial, residential, and other parcels is $0.1136 per square foot; industrial parcels, $0.0568 per square foot. In most cases, this amounts to close to $300 a year per parcel. Government entities, such as the California Department of Transportation, Caltrain, and University of California, San Francisco aren’t assessed. 

GBD’s 2025 management district plan indicates that its expenditures may be adjusted to account for inflation, with assessments to be increased by no more than seven percent annually. 

“In the 10 years that the GBD has existed, it has only raised rates one time. We take a very thoughtful and cautious approach to raising rates…have only done it when it was necessary to maintain the services that we have committed to providing to the community,” said Donovan Lacy, GBD acting executive director. 

GBD works to improve parks, green spaces, and public plazas. The organization often deploys volunteers, and hires contractors to remove graffiti, prune trees and shrubs, cultivate plants and landscapes, among other activities. Vegetation can absorb water during heavy rain, as well as calm traffic. GBD supplements San Francisco Public Works’ efforts, with regular street cleaning. 

GBD sponsors entertainment and education-oriented events, such as jazz concerts and native plant walks. It collaborates with the Dogpatch Neighborhood and Potrero Dogpatch Merchants associations on the Dogpatch Music Series and annual Halloween Slow Street.

Present GBD projects include installation of artwork and maintenance at Potrero Gateway Park, alongside U.S. 101 between San Bruno, Vermont, 17th and Mariposa streets, as well as planting and irrigating native California species at the Vermont Greenway and Eco Patch on Vermont Street and the Minnesota Street Flyover; the 2,400 square foot space under the 20th Street overpass at Minnesota Street. 

Property owners were “…in favor of the renewal because they and their tenants (saw) the benefit of actions like cleaning and greening public open spaces. The GBD’s work also makes their properties attractive to future tenants,” said Lacy, who also serves as Dogpatch Neighborhood Association president. 

“The Green Benefit District has spent the last decade turning post-industrial lumps of coal in our community into publicly accessible diamonds,” said J.R. Eppler, Potrero Boosters president. “Its renewal will ensure the continued maintenance of those new open spaces for years to come.” 

Eppler added that GBD regularly balanced its budget, solicited community feedback, and handled tasks ethically.

“I am thrilled with the outcome and look forward to the continued good work from the GBD for Dogpatch,” said Susan Eslick, a GBD board member and Dogpatch Business Association treasurer. “The GBD has proved a very positive thing for people who live here and visit these two neighborhoods. Since the City is experiencing budget concerns, the GBD gives us a viable way to continue to clean and green the two neighborhoods to a level people have come to expect. Also, getting involved with GBD activities, meetings, and or volunteering at events are great ways to meet new friends and neighbors.” 

“I helped canvas for the GBD’s renewal this spring,” said Jason Kelly Johnson, an artist, professor of architecture at California College of the Arts, and owner of a residential property in Dogpatch. “I and many other local artists support what the GBD is doing because it makes the area more liveable and sustainable. You can sense this in the American Industrial Center because you see a lot of “Support the GBD” signs on studio doors.” 

Johnson and his wife, Nataly Gattegno, are raising two young daughters in Dogpatch. From 2019 to 2025, Johnson served on GBD’s Board. He created the sculptures, collectively titled “Metamorphosis,” installed at Potrero Gateway Park. 

“What the GBD is doing helps make Dogpatch and Potrero Hill a good place to raise kids. It brings energy to the neighborhood, encourages community engagement, and is supportive of the arts,” said Johnson.