Green Benefit Districts

Green Benefit District 

The Green Benefit District (GBD) is a pioneering community initiative designed to enhance and maintain green spaces, parks and public areas in designated neighborhoods. The GBD operates as a special assessment district, where property owners voluntarily agree to fund improvements and ongoing maintenance of their local environment. This model allows residents and property owners to take an active role in the beautification and upkeep of their neighborhoods, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. The GBD was approved in July 2015 by 76% of property owners. 

San Francisco Public Works is the oversight agency between the GBD and the City and County of San Francisco. The Public Works GBD liaison is Jimmer Cassiol (jimmer.cassiol@sfdpw.org). The GBD serves several neighborhoods in San Francisco, including Dogpatch and North West Potrero Hill neighborhoods.

Mission

The mission of the Green Benefit District is to create and sustain vibrant, healthy and green urban environments. By providing dedicated resources for the maintenance of green spaces, the GBD ensures that parks, sidewalks and other public areas are clean, safe and accessible to all. The GBD also promotes sustainability by supporting initiatives that reduce waste, conserve water and improve the urban tree canopy.

Key Features

• Local Control: The GBD is managed by a board of local property owners and residents, ensuring that decisions are made by those who live in and care about the community.
• Sustainable Funding: Property owners within the district contribute to a special assessment that funds the GBD’s activities, providing a stable and predictable source of funding for ongoing maintenance and improvement projects.
• Community Engagement: The GBD encourages active participation from residents through volunteer opportunities, public meetings and collaborative projects.
• Environmental Stewardship: The GBD focuses on sustainable practices, such as increasing green infrastructure, enhancing biodiversity and promoting climate resilience.

Services and Projects

The Green Benefit District undertakes a variety of projects and services to enhance the local environment:

• Park Maintenance: Providing regular upkeep of parks and green spaces, including landscaping, trash removal and graffiti removal.
• Tree Planting and Care: Planting new trees and maintaining existing ones to improve air quality and provide shade.
• Community Gardens: Supporting the development and maintenance of community gardens, which provide fresh produce and educational opportunities.
• Urban Greening Projects: Undertaking initiatives that add greenery to urban areas, such as sidewalk gardens, green roofs and living walls.
• Public Space Improvements: Enhancing the aesthetic and functional quality of public spaces through art installations, seating areas and improved lighting.

How to Get Involved

Residents and property owners can get involved with the Green Benefit District in several ways:

• Join the Board: Serve on the GBD board to help shape the direction and priorities of the district.
• Volunteer: Participate in community cleanup events, tree planting and other neighborhood improvement activities.
• Attend Meetings: Join public meetings to learn more about ongoing projects and provide input on future initiatives.
• Support Financially: Contribute to the GBD’s efforts by paying the annual assessment or making additional donations.

Contact Information

For more information about the Green Benefit District, upcoming projects and ways to get involved:

• Website: https://greenbenefit.org/
• Email: andrea@greenbenefit.org
• Phone: 415-851-1570
• Address: 1459 18^th Street #369, San Francisco CA 94107