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88 Responses to “Future South Van Ness mini-golf course neighbors concerned about traffic and noise, organizing against it, sort of”
Allan Hough (7858)
Brittany Janis & Katie Cruz (104)
Authors
[via @woolfshirt]
Allan Hough (7858)Brittany Janis & Katie Cruz (104)
This is why we can’t have nice things.
Look, I have no idea what to make of this place, I don’t care.
But you live in the motherfucking city, increased traffic? parking? Drunken louts?
I don’t want to tell you to move, but what exactly did you expect when you moved to this location?
Seriously? There’s a big difference to living down the street from a bar versus living directly next to one.
The place was apparently always zoned for this — why the surprise?. Would you rather it stay a blighted building?
Or better yet, what if it was renovated and inhabited by *gasp* tech workers!
I’m not surprised, would much rather have the building put to some use.
I’m just saying that the “what did you expect, its a city” argument is kind of lame.
the NIMBY argument is much better. how dare someone pay to lease and operate a zoned business in MY neighborhood’s empty building . . .
Oddly enough, this building was previously occupied by a … tech start-up.
I’ve lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years. The building actually was a mortuary for many many years before it was briefly a tech co.
Right! I always secretly hoped it would turn into an SF-themed haunted house. My heart has a hole where the Fisherman Wharf Haunted Gold Mine used to be.
seriously.
I agree – NIMBY go home. This is a city. That sign sucks – would you prefer the vapors from the onsite crematorium (no, not the newest Bi-Rite softserv venture)? You know they burn bodies in mortuaries, right?
Simpsons did it!
You’ve got it backwards. THEY moved to OUR neighborhood. I give miniature golf a 2 year window; then we’ll be moving on to a TV studio with a re-creation of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and bobby sox and saddle shoes will be worn by a select few, who will then dictate how our neighborhood will be transformed for the duration of their attention span. The requisite lingo will also be in evidence: boss, man and whatever can be dredged up from “mid-century” culture. Bring back leaded gas, warming up your car for 15 minutes and TV dinners while you wait for another decade to come into vogue with Shindig, Hullabaloo and Laugh-in. Goldie Hawn will then make an appearance at the miniature golf course in her mini-skirt and everyone will exclaim how well her plastic surgery is holding up. In memory of Annette Funicello, let’s wear our mouse ears today and welcome a Disney company into the neighborhood.
This is awesome, thanks.
Thank you. I don’t think appreciating an all-residential block for being that is the same as being a NIMBY.
Not In My
Back YardAbandoned Building Close To My Apartment!Yep, just your typical NIMABuCTMA.
+1 for the anonymous coward commenter.
Bring Back The Recession!!!
Gurl agreed.
Listen, as a Techie this concerns me that this city has gone to far of making it a disneyland for us. I can’t wait for the white buses to drop off people here.
These people need to quit being! they will probably end up golfing at this new place. I say bring it!
“Wahhhhhh Wahhhhh I chose to live in one of the biggest cultural hotspots in the world full of people doing interesting things, but I’m annoyed when people are trying to innovate and create new cool businesses… I want status quo! I don’t like change… wahhhhhhh”
Or they have been living there for a long time? Before the neighborhood became “one of the biggest cultural hotspots in the world”. And they can’t afford to move?
Also love “innovate and create new cool businesses” … its just going to be another high end consumption joint, like every other new business that’s opened around here.
When can we expect your more enlightened business to open?
If you don’t like what your neighborhood has become…move.
“can’t afford to move” is kind of bullshit. What you really mean is, “is paying 20% of market rate for an apartment, and wants to curtail everyone else’s fun rather then pay what any other apartment would cost.”
it’s bullshit.
I’m gonna’ go out a limb and assume that based on the grammar and word choice, these people haven’t lived here very long and can probably afford to move.
San Francisco is a cultural hotspot, it has been since the gold rush. I share many concerns about SF becoming less of a place where people with families and working class have a place, but that’s because I believe that people like that should have access to cultural hotspots.
It is true that nobody is forced to live in a city, a city is a lively place with an ever-changing landscape, and in fact there are lots of wonderful places for people who do not like living in the city. Many of them are cheaper, and there is a place for the working class and for people with families.
So, even if you were born in the city, there is a bit of complete fairness about a statement that in fact, you are making a choice to continue living in a city, and if you live in a city, someone might open a fucking putt putt golf bar in your neighborhood.
If you’re not into the neighborhood anymore, let me know, I’ve been having trouble finding a place.
The working class family I grew up in loved mini golf on the weekends. I believe lots of them do.
THE DUDE WHO IS OPENING THIS BUSINESS HAS LIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR FUCKING DECADES.
Then build it in his neighborhood. Just like the guy who opened the all night laundry on 20th/South Van Ness. He did not open it in his neighborhood.
Thank you for this. I live in a rent-controlled apartment next door, and am one of those who can’t afford to move. I have been extraordinarily lucky to have moved onto a block without any nightlife, and I’m waiting to hear back from the owner about his plans to handle noise and traffic. The humane thing to do would have been to convert this long vacant building into affordable housing.
nigga, buy me an $18.00 hamburger then.
you think you are making a point but you are really just talking to talk.
+1
I was thinking about washing my car this weekend. Should I go ask my neighbors if they are ok with that?
That sign is soliciting. I think most people hate soliciting more than mini-golf.
OMG NIMBY’s go away. I grew up in the mission. Moved back about 8 years ago. My grandparents were originally migrant farmworkers who were smart enough to buy property back in the early 60′s in the Mission. This is fantastic news that east of Mission street is getting spruced up.
The loudest complainers are usually the chip-on-the-shoulder transplants who will be leaving in a few years anyway.
cool. glad to know what you think of me.
been here 10 years and I cant stand this shit anymore.
laters!
Maybe you’ve out-grown the neighborhood, or maybe the neighborhood has out-grown you. In either case, why waste your time getting more angry and bitter?
GUESS WHAT, THE DUDE OPENING THIS SHIT BEATS YOU BY LIKE TWO DECADES. STFU
YOU ARE THE REVERSE E.E. CUMMINGS. YOU SHOULD CALL YOURSELF E.E.CUMMINGTARIAT.
GREAT IDEA
Ima get dronk all around there BT-dubs
I cant wait, this is going to be fucking awesome!
Mini-Golf RULES!
Why would anyone be against mini golf?
+1
Hahaha, mad props to the “how?” for the ridiculously stupid sign. All whining, no action.
“Disrespect an arrogance”? As opposed to being so entitled you have to control everything that happens around you?
if u dont like it then dont live in the mission!
(it’s not like any of you idiots who will be complaining were actually born and raised in the mission.)
lol, “dorks”
***insert blacklash comments of ppl pretending they were born and raised in the mission freaking out that they were born and raised in the mission***
I like putt-putt and I like the Mission (having been born and raised here and all that), and I really hope this place is affordable for more than the 100k+ crowd.
Seriously looking forward to some vodka and putt putt in the ‘hood.
I’m gonna “spill” all over that sidewalk.
Would you rather it be a gay bath house? (not that’s there’s anything wrong with the G part or anything?
I live between two bars and a restaurant on SVN. It isn’t bad at all. Hopefully this establishment is kid-friendly. Looking forward to taking my kids to play mini-golf.
Two points:
1. The owner has been talking to neighbors for months. The people who have shown the most interest in the building’s use over the last several years know all about the mini-golf plans.
2. The place was previously permitted for a full service bar/restaurant with live music until midnight. It seems like mini-golf is a pretty neighborhood-friendly alternative.
“neighborhood-friendly”. I’m pretty sure we can all predict the demographics of the clientele.
All mission residents are equal, but some are more equal than others.
Mini golf fans?
All neighbors.
I live *next door* and the first I heard of this project was when the anonymous note went up, and yes, I have had an interest in what would happen to the mortuary, because I have been living next door to an ABANDONED BUILDING for years.
I then went online and saw how all the press releases had gone out about his celebrity chefs and mixologists. It should not have been too hard to walk 10 feet and leave a note or a flyer introducing himself.
And yeah, this place is going to be a full service bar and restaurant. The mini golf is not what we’re worried about causing drunken spillover.
Hi, I’m Steve Fox, the guy trying to start the minigolf/restaurant/bar on 22nd and South Van Ness. This morning I showed up at the building and found 2 copies of the anonymous “Hello Neighbors” protest sign, a broken window (more protest, I assume), plus the usual graffiti. I posted the following response on the building:
Neighbors,
As some of you have read online or in the paper, I am hoping to convert 1096 South Van Ness into an indoor minigolf/restaurant/bar by the end of 2013 or early 2014. I have spoken with many of you over the last month, and I will continue to reach out to hear your thoughts. I am planning on inviting neighbors to a meeting here in early May–after the notification letters asking for neighborhood input—are sent out. In the meantime, if any of you want to look inside, see preliminary plans, tell me what you’re thinking, or express your concerns, send me an email at Neighbors@UrbanPutt.com and I promise I’ll get back to you right away.
I’m not a corporate bigwig or an out-of-town developer—just a San Francisco guy trying to create a welcome addition to the Mission. This space has been empty and unused since 1999. I want to turn it into a welcoming neighborhood spot.
Thanks.—Steve Fox
Since posting that sign, I’ve gotten three, completely respectful emails from neighbors who want to see what I’m planning, and I’m looking forward to meeting more neighbors over the coming months.
Best of luck. I’m looking forward to bringing my kids there.
Don’t listen to the NIMBY fools on this so=called blog. Do your thang!
“So-called blog”? Do you know what a blog is? All opinions regarding the present topic aside, I’m pretty sure this website qualifies as a blog by any reasonable definition of the term.
oh man, this killed me. some choice trolling.
Steve,
Can you not have any holes where you have to hit through a swinging pendulum because those are seriously annoying. Maybe make the hole about hitting the ball through a castle’s drawbridge instead. Cheers.
STEVE FOX IS LEGIT. HE LOVES MINI GOLF, FULL STOP. HE’S BEEN CREATING COURSES IN HIS HOME FOR YEARS. THIS IS HIS LIFE’S DREAM. HE IS A SAN FRANCISCAN AS MUCH AS ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.
Hi, Steve,
We’re waiting to hear back from your emails.
–Your next-door neighbors
Waitasec – this guy was the managing editor of OMNI Magazine?! When I was a kid that thing was incredible!
I know Steve Fox, he’s a good dude, and his kid and mine will be be regulars.
-Matt
I can’t wait for the anti yuppie gentrification riot on 4/20
You’re planning to smoke weed and protest mini-golf? Genius!
I knew my street was going to hell when the crack zombies and shopping cart pushers were being replaced by joggers and high end baby strollers.
When I first noticed the joggers I assumed that it was a jokey 80s throwback activity. I didn’t know that people still jog sincerely.
what about the hookers, isn’t anyone thinking about the SVN hookers? If all the abandoned buildings are filled, where are they supposed to turn tricks?
18th hole?
Thanks everyone for all the support. I really appreciate it. If any of you want to stay up to date on Urban Putt developments, please sign up for the newsletter on the Urban Putt site (I don’t want to be accused of spamming, so I’m not posting the completely obvious URL). I’ll be sending out the first newsletter later this week.
Note to Ariel Dovas: Yes, I really was managing editor of Omni Magazine a lifetime ago.
I’ve been kinda shocked at the level of vehement opposition to this. It’s just mini-golf and a restaurant, people. It could turn out to be overpriced like the $15 burger bowling place, but even so, it seems like an interesting addition to the neighborhood.
I’m not shocked. There are a lot of bitter losers around here.
How will they recycle the divots? Replace them with more astro-turf (unsustainable) or offer them as St. Patrick’s Day wigs?
End rent control – that will dislodge those NIMBY whiners! We’re all subsidizing their obstinance.
Fuck off.
YEAH SORRY. NOTHING NIMBY ABOUT RENT CONTROL. IF YOU WANT THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO STAY THE MISSION INSTEAD OF TURNING INTO MARINA SOUTH (WHICH, TBH, IT ALREADY SORT OF HAS) RENT CONTROL IS KEY. IT’S WHAT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY MAKE SF RUN FROM BOOMS AND BUSTS.
people protect themselves from booms and busts by owning the property.
This.
Bring back the driving range that used to be near 6th street. Turn 18 streets in SF into a full-size golf course. Parklets will serve as clubhouses. Ocean Beach will be one big bunker and Lake Merced will be a water hole. Those displaced by the .commers can return as caddies and (soon will be able to drive Caddies the way that they tip in this town) and of course food trucks can be stationed at every green and tee-off. (green tee can be served).
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