department of public works, working with the private sector. working with some fantastic designers, like walter, and his fantastic design studio. and gaining the confidence of the people who protect this gem of the city, the business improvement district in union square. i want to thank everyone for coming together and blessing, with the contribution from audi of america, coming together to make these couple of blocks even better, to modernize it, make it even more welcoming, and to make sure that it is people-friendly in every respect. i want to give a shout out to all of these departments because we are seldom recognized. collaboration is often behind the scenes, but this is out in front for everybody.

i want people to get excited about the friendliness of this street, but you are doing to try to change the feeling here, make sure that the experience invites even more people to enjoy union square, powell street, the cable car experience. i also want to recognize the police department. as we transition this landscape, they are going to keep everyone safe, make sure we all have the opportunity to enjoy it. i want to thank everyone for this collaboration. so happy to be part of this. and also to make sure that we are investing and renewing every part of our city, to make sure that the tourists enjoy this area, and even people like ourselves -- those of us now live in the city -- will love it even more. this will benefit everybody. i also want to introduce another

champion, someone that i have worked with closely this past year, who has led a very positive dialogue. that is our board president, president david chiu. [applause] >> thank you, mr. mayor. i want to welcome everyone to what mark twain calls a classic summer day in san francisco. i am proud to be here as part of this announcement, and i am here on behalf of my colleague jane kim, who is stuck in city hall. the two of us have the honor of representing the number one place in san francisco where people come to shop, and hello to everyone on the cable cars, spend time in our incredible city. this is an announcement of how we build 21st century city -- cities, how we can create communities on very busy dance

streets. we know it takes a village to create a parklet. i want to thank the city department for being our partners. dpw, oewd, mta -- these acronyms refer to organizations and thousands of hours done to come up with this. three years ago, when i first came into office, a number of merchants from union square came to me and said, david, we would like to tax ourselves more. we would like to triple the size of the business improvement district. today's announcement is part of that portion of that amazing vision. i want to thank the in square business improvement district for everything you are doing to make union square one of the

best attractions that san francisco has to offer. and of course, in closing, one of the most amazing aspects of this partnership happens to be our partnership with the private sector. we could not do this without the generosity of an amazing car company. i do hope in addition to seeing the audi symbol here, i do hope that we see more of them traveling through the city, so feel free to donate any, if you would like. we look forward to continuing this green, clean, community- based transformation that we are undertaking, here in san francisco. have a wonderful day. >> before i introduce our next speaker, i want to make sure to recognize the very important person on the stage as well. wayne is our ambassador here.

he is in bright red. as you know, the business improvement district has been spared in making sure that not only are people safe, but that they are treated well when they come here. that is what keeps the economy going. as david said earlier, audi is a pretty special company. scott, i want to let you know, too, i am jazzed about that car that i want which appeared in the "ironman" movie. when i saw it i said, i want that kind of car. not only does audi have great style and a great corporate image, but they are a fantastic partner.

let me introduce scott of audi of america. [applause] >> it is a great pleasure for me to be here. i am the chief marketing officer for audi of america. it is crucial for companies, not only to celebrate things, but it is also important to do great things. whether you look at the racetracks up le mans, our electronic research lab, here in palo alto, or on the streets of san francisco, it is important to do great things. of course, the concept that our design and technology can have far reaching ramifications. we spend billions of dollars in research and development, and i think you see a lot of those elements in this design.

when we first started making cars out of aluminum frames, they said we were crazy. it turns out, aluminum is stronger and less weight. i think you will get a good sense of that design here. led lighting. people said it was madness to use them in cars. now you see it in every one of our cars and being imitated everywhere. the beautiful lines of our cars, walter had done a great job recreating that a static. and most importantly, wi-fi. -- recreating that aesthetic. the ideals of audi were brought here to this, not. i am very thankful to be here.

this is why it means so much to us. now i want to introduce david, the group president of the business improvement district, here in union square. again, sincere thanks. >> thank you, scott. on behalf of the union square business improvement district, property owners, and the businesses, i would like to thank mayor lee, supervisor david chiu, the city departments, the san francisco municipal transportation agency, and audi of america, and a special thank you to those who supported this trend for this project. when we embark on this new project, it reminded us of where we have been and where we are going in union square. 164 years ago, jasper overall,

who has a street named after him one week away, was commissioned by the city to lay out a design for its streets and parks, including union square. the park's design was designed to be infighting, accessible, beautiful, and memorable. today, architect walter put has applied those same qualities beautifully to the powell street promenade with a contemporary landscape design with features and heard of, like solar technology and wi-fi. o'farrell may not have imagined at the time that 100,000 people would use this street every weekend, making it the busiest city corridor. now with this promenade, it will be one of the best places to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, out of its hustle and bustle by working with the city,

audi, and union square business improvement district, we have demonstrated how partnerships can further a vision for a better sense of co that i know we all share. it is a great testament to see the public sector and private sector come together to create something so magnificent. thank you again.

>> good morning. quick adjustment here. thank you all for coming this beautiful morning in san francisco. we are honored to have mayor ed lee with us today. senator yi and supervisor cohen is on the way and a special guest marisa churchill from the top chef from the food network. i have been with the company for over 35 years and you can probably tell by my hair color. i have seen lots of changes off that time period. lots of innovative things. this is one of the most exciting that we've been involved with as a company. we are aligning our initiative -- is that better? i have been with the company over 35 years and i had the privilege of witnessing many initiatives. as the needs of our customers and patients have changes over time. one of the newest initiatives is

the food oasis. it is an expanded offering of fresh and healthy foods in communities that are convenient. we are not always the only offering but here near public transportation in the neighborhood a lot of folks who are home bound don't have access and we are trying to change the offerings that we offer so people can come in and get fresh fruits and vegetables. one

we would go and clean up in the community,. love is to the upload them. we have given lots of time and money. -- we are very committed to the program. everyone is aware, the citizens are basing a lot of chronic diseases, specifically i.t., a childhood obesity, high blood pressure. we have been trying to figure out ways along with our prescription business, what we sell to help people leave a

healthy lifestyle. this is our first one in northern california. a lot of places are underserved. hopefully this will serve the community well and give the folks in the area the ability to buy healthy foods. with that, i will turn it over to the mayor. >> thank you very much. i'm here because i support a lot of the things, especially in the supervisor's district. we're interested in being healthy. we approach it in a different way. i approach it by trying to eat

healthy foods. you can ask him what he is running for. anyway, the management, i would like to thank you for creating the very first oasis right here because it is important. bayview for many years has been very hard to get choices. the choice of good and fresh foods in your community. so, this surprised me. so the people associate with walgreen's said that we will open up the very first and increase in expand our operation in the city. food choices and healthy choices are needed. we need this year and we need it

back over the city. we have already 16 stores and our city is employing some 1500 people. having seen them in partnership, as they said that there have been the cleanest stores and very respectful of every neighborhood in the city. we have great corporate partners and it did not surprise me that they would also say that we can expand our choices. i've never seen walgreen's that has never been known as a drug store. they have been known as the neighborhood store. we have good neighborhood partners. in addition, offering foods,

whether it is healthy sandwiches or fresh produce and at a location already established. it will make that to be very important. i am here to support that. i am here to celebrate that. i am here to suggest that every store can do the same thing. it is not as about this announcements, also about helping us take two strokes back so it does not cost the patrons any more money and we have a safe place to take them. there also contributing to getting rid of graffiti. and they employ people. when you open up an oasis store, this is not just added produce, someone will have to handle that. they include another five or 10 employees. that is a great way to employ more people. with all of those good things, i

would like to welcome the supervisor. she has taught me for six months about the need to have healthy choices in the menu. she has the heart to really express our support because you cannot really do anything. you cannot appreciate anything without your help. my wife tells me every day that i had better eat healthier. she cares about our community here. i joined her in this open and she is one of the healthiest people on the board of supervisors. she knows how it is helpful to everyone in this city.

he is keeping the other side with a safe community. she is working really hard. all of the other members. i want to say i am here. we're working really closely. he is expanding that choice. that is the perfect situation. we understand that they are donating to the bayview foundation. that is an and their indication of how this is not just another store.

muhammed and i were here when the store opened. we were here helping to make a landscaping was done well and keeping this area from being here as well. this is a great time to celebrate. congratulations to you and your wonderful management for not only having a great handle but a store that does everything so well. >> i would like to introduce the senator. they have been 8 walgreen supporter for some time. i really appreciate that. >> let me knowledge why my good friend is great. he knows everyone here and he says everything that we all want to say.

on and no personal thing, one of the things that has been believed is that all of us need to understand that we have to be a lot more healthy. the statistics are just daunting for all of us not only here in california but throughout the world. our lifestyle has to change, our eating habits have to change. we will look at how much we will spend to do with the negative effect of an unhealthy lifestyle. whether or not this is about how you deal with your sedentary lifestyle or the food that you eat or whenever you consume. you have to understand that you have to have a lot more healthy choices. what walgreen has done and i am absolutely amazed about what is going on in walgreen's. they are really turning this

store and these stores into an oasis of healthy lifestyles. you have individuals who can get all kinds of different products. and you cannot have any corporate entity in america for anything better than that. this is a one stop shop for all of your needs and more importantly, those needs that you want to take care of. there will be healthy answers for you. as i look at this, i hope that walgreen's will set the standard that any store in a community should have with they have. any store that will be in our community, they will have to demand that. you have to not only be a partner.

i want to congratulate walgreen's for all of their work. if you do not own stocks in walgreen's, you should own stock in walgreen's. i will tell you that they will make a bundle of dollars. at the end of the day, that is because they care about our community. more people will come and buy their stuff. it is because of that economy of scale that they will make a lot of money. i hope that you'll join me in doing whatever you can.

on behalf of the california state senate, we really want you to take this example and spread it not in just some neighborhoods but all neighborhoods in the state of california. >> now i would like to introduce the supervisor for this area. >> good morning, everyone. i am actually battling a cold.

that is why my heart is filled with so much joy because as we continue to grow and transition, you will see more vibrant opportunity's not just here in walgreen's but allover the corridor. we need partners that will be coming down on third street and supporting many of the nonprofits that are supporting our community members. we would like to support them for being an anchor tenant when other companies would not. thank you. i also want to congratulate my good friends over at hunters point. i am very proud of you. thank you for your hard work and your leadership. i love you. thank you so much. >> now, we would like to

present the hunters point family. that is $59. >> i would like to thank everyone for it knowledge in the hard work. everyone in the hunters point family. this is healthy food and hunters point. these were some of our young people who have been working every day. people have been working here -- we would like to thank the supervisors at the garden for the last about six or seven years.

almost every young person has lived in this. probably about four to 500 young people. >> i would be remiss if i did not recognize the hard work and

dedication of all of the walgreen folks that have been here. thank you for your hard work and dedication in addition to the people from the corporate office. i am sure that would be a successful venture. thank you.