the embarcadero seawall is the foundation of 500 acres of downtown neighborhoods, the under pittance of critical infrastuckture. we think it's important to note that one out of every eight jobs in the bay area is located in downtown san francisco, and a 2007 study estimated that the seawall protects over $100 billion of assets and economic activities, so for these reasons, we ask you to support the seawall project. thank you. >> supervisor cohen: thank you. >> good afternoon, chair cohen and members of the committee. my name is thea seldy, and for identification only, i am the former chair of the citizens general obligation bond oversight committee, and i am the current chair of the san francisco transit riders, which is a grassroots nonprofit that is the voice of the san francisco muni, b.a.r.t., and caltrain riders. and i'm here today to urge you to support this $425 million bond. as you know, the embarcadero seawall supports the regional transportation network system that moves a significant number of local and regional residents and commuters. indeed, 1.1 million people enter the

really a milestone day for the port as we work together to protect our city by strengthening the embarcadero seawall. i ask that you place a 425 million general obligation bond on the november ballot to support the seawall earthquake safety and disaster prevention program. and if i could please move to the overhead. the seawall, as city administrator kelly said, is unseen, mostly. it's 100 years old and it's served our city and region very well over the last decade, but we now must make significant investment for the seawall to protect the next generation. this bond will strengthen the seawall, to protect the city from earthquake, address flood risk and provide current adaptation for sea level rise. staff has prepared the geobond describing the port program and the need for the funding. we'll make final edits to this report once the committee takes action today but before the bond legislation is introduced at the board of supervisors. so members of the public may be asking what is the seawall, and i'll say you're not alone. because it is unseen infrastructure. we all don't know about this work horse

. >>> a bill to finance crucial improvement to the embarcadero seawall passed the assembly today. it runs from at&t park to fisherman's wharf. it was built 139 years ago and the city says it is vulnerable to quakes and the rising sea. the author of the bill, san francisco assembly member, says it creates a special tax district along the waterfront. the money would be used for the repairs. the bill now advances to the senate. >>> part of a popular trail in santa rosa is temporarily closed tonight as the homeless are being cleared out. just last week there were 89 tents there. campers received their notice to be out by noon today. it is illegal to camp on the trail and it can be dangerous. >> we've got gasoline, beauty ain't, human waste, needles, car batteries, all kinds of material that are a problem. >> last month a homeless man was stabbed and recently a bicyclist was punched in the face along that trail. social service agencies came to the scene to help with permanent housing. >>> on the hunt for an arsonist. a new clue with the surveillance individual. >>> plus, what is up wit

seawall. all buildings, infrastructure and activity along the northern waterfront, extending back to 1ststreet, are possible by the embarcadero, from aquatic park at the north, due north, down around to the ballpark. and it was built more than 100 years ago over several decades, and the project manager from the port can give you a wonderful history of this, but i mean, it's kind of crazy when you hear the story basically it's just fill, gravel and rock and everything, just smushed in and made a port behind a wall. it's amazing our city stands on it, but it does. and the seawall needs repair and strengthening. there are a number of challenges facing the northeastern waterfront. from the acute risk of earthquake, one rendering of how an earthquake might damage the waterfront. basically the soil on which it stands is prone, and the wall itself may push bay ward by five feet. and the piles that support the piers buckle, and the bulkhead buildings would be significantly damaged and all the horizontal infrastructure that runs right along the waterfront that is vulnerable as one. that's one nightmare and you have also the flooding t