AGENCY SPOTLIGHT : The Port of San Francisco
quickly . “ Our Executive Director , Elaine Forbes , was deployed as part of the City ’ s Emergency Operations Center , and from the beginning , she took a proactive stance in finding ways to leverage the Port ’ s resources in support of our community ,” says Stephanie . Working with community groups and City agencies , Port staff identified key areas in which it could assist in relief efforts , including public health and food , housing and economic security . Piers 30 and 32 were turned into the City ’ s first high-capacity COVID-19 testing site . When 99 local food pantries closed because of the pandemic , Port staff collaborated with the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco-Marin Food Bank to provide a rent-free space in Lot A for an ongoing socially distanced food bank serving about 2,000 people every week . Originally developed for commercial purposes , Seawall Lot 344 was converted in just 45 days from a preliminary site map into a fully functional , socially distanced Shelter in Place lot for 120 RVs and travel trailers , with priority given to unsheltered residents of District 10 . As Stephanie notes , “ I am proud to say that the Port ’ s response has been to provide equitable assistance to those who have been hardest hit . All levels of our Port staff have rolled up their sleeves to be of service .” Two of the Port ’ s Navigation Centers have been providing shelter
Port of San Francisco staff are hard at work maintaining ongoing efforts , volunteering as disaster service workers . for the City ’ s homeless population – and , in order to provide as safe an environment as possible , one center has been specifically designated for individuals who ’ ve already tested negative for the virus .
Working with community groups and City agencies , Port staff identified key areas in which it could assist in relief efforts , including public health and food , housing and economic security .
While the public health and socio-economic effects of COVID-19 combined with dire climate emergencies continue to ravage the country , Port of San Francisco staff are hard at work maintaining ongoing efforts , volunteering as disaster service workers , and brainstorming additional ways of providing community assistance . The Port has offered rent relief to many of its tenants and is working to establish a loan program with a generous forgiveness option for local business enterprises ( LBEs ) who are Port tenants or have a contract with the Port . While a core group of Port staff continues to work on-site for various projects and to connect with tenants in-person to help resolve issues , many interactions – including the Port ’ s contracting bid and selection processes – have been moved online to maintain social distancing while getting back on track with projects large and small . The Port was the first City Department to host a virtual mentor-protégée event through the Contract Monitoring Division to help participants understand the private developments ,
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