San Francisco's Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood has long been characterized in the news media as an area with a high crime rate, that is poverty-stricken, even by some as dangerous. Overcoming those inherent barriers can be difficult for any neighborhood - oftentimes, with each positive piece of news, there are two negative stories that grab the headlines. The constant cycle of bad news tends to weigh on residents, no matter how positive of an outlook they have. So the question looms - how do you change the narrative?
Part of the solution is taking place right now in the neighborhood. BVHP is an interesting case. Just 5-10 years ago, residents would rarely venture out of their homes, neighbors didn’t know each other, there were really no food options and no gathering places within the community. The area has always been one of the most culturally diverse in San Francisco, with many families staying in the neighborhood for decades, from generation to generation. But that can often make it more challenging, to break the chain of thinking, to push away from the negativity that lingers.
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| Volunteers at Quesada Gardens Initiative |
But slowly, changes are afoot, and much of it starts with residents themselves. Sometimes it may seem like they are fighting against all odds, but there has to be a unity, a desire to build the community from within, to accentuate the positives and change the opinion of outsiders. The process does not happen overnight; it takes time and a lot of faith. But eventually, residents become unafraid to open businesses, they join together with their neighbors, walls are torn down and bridges are built. In Bayview Hunters Point, the Third Street corridor is slowly emerging and becoming a focal point of activity. Gone are some of the empty storefronts, with locally-owned businesses taking their place. Affordable housing is being built, withered areas are being cleaned up - it is a case of the residents taking back BVHP and owning it. Now, that’s not to say that Third Street is perfect. There are still a gaggle of boarded-up businesses, far too many liquor stores where “unsavory” characters congregate, blight, crime - but there are makings of an energetic hub, where the community can gather and enjoy the fruits of what they have been building. There is a certain sense of pride that emanates from Bayview; people are proud to live there, proud to be a part of the community, what is being built. There is a true and unbridled passion to make Bayview Hunters Point a destination, and not the “black mark” that some believe it is in San Francisco.
Food....Restaurants...Markets - that is slowly becoming the driving force behind the renaissance in Bayview Hunters Point. Food can be such a driving force in a community - the social interactions and communal nature of dining out are part of the fabric of life. Not only is it a positive for businesses, but it helps bring life to a locale. While Bayview Hunters Point has not yet developed as a “dining destination,” there are some encouraging developments. Restaurants like Radio Africa Kitchen and Limon Rotisserie have opened spots on Third Street; the quality of food at both are not only great for BVHP residents, but for those looking for a great dining experience from other parts of town. The Bayview Merchants’ Association works with local entrepreneurs, whether it is to secure grants, develop a website and online presence (via Twitter, Facebook, or other modes of social media), or answer any other qualms potential business owners may have. Supervisor Malia Cohen, whose district includes Bayview Hunters Point, makes her presence known at community meetings and events, and continues to fight for equal footing with San Francisco’s other districts. BRITE (Bayview Residents Improving Their Environment), a non-profit group, has a strong voice in bringing about change and looking out for the betterment of BVHP. But first and foremost, residents, many who have lived in the area for years, now want to start their businesses here, want their neighbors to come in for food or drinks, want to be a part of this movement. They know the difficulties and that there will be some bumps in the road, but want to succeed because they want “their home” to succeed.
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| A look down Third Street, outside Radio Africa Kitchen |
Over the next week, we will profile some of these food businesses, sharing their difficulties and successes, what these owners think needs to be changed and how they are working to make Bayview Hunters Point “a destination” in San Francisco, and not just an afterthought. These are business owners trying to not only change a neighborhood, but change perceptions, attitudes and the longstanding stream of consciousness that persists. Tomorrow, the story of Yvonne Hines, who still yearns to open a restaurant in her neighborhood, but is happy to sell her delicious southern treats out of her shop on Third Street.
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