From the Ashes, We Will Rise: The Community Fight to Oppose “La Muerte” de la Misión (The Death of the Mission)
January 31, 2025
Developers are set to present plans for a luxury development at the site of a devastating fire that killed one tenant and displaced many low-income families and immigrant small businesses. This development has been named “La Muerte” de La Misión (The Death of the Mission) because it will perpetuate the death of the Mission.
This will be the next biggest development proposed since the “Monster in the Mission.” We need to mobilize the Mission by bringing together our youth, elders, immigrants, small businesses, non-profits, residents, day laborers, artists, and domestic workers. Everyone who makes the Mission the unique place it is.
Join over 40 organizations and community members opposing “La Muerte” and telling Planning Commissioners we need 100% affordable housing at 2258 Mission St. @ 22nd! A hearing at the SF Planning Commission will take place on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM at City Hall, Rm 400 4th Floor. Spanish translation, food, and daycare will be provided. Transportation for elders and families are being looked at. Suggested talking points will be provided for public comment. Sign and share the online petition, and share the flyers (Spanish, English & Bilingual)!
To have your organization join the list of opposition, please email erick@calle24sf.org. For more details and the list of opposition, please read the petition. We need 100% affordable housing! Si Se Puede!
BACKGROUND: A DEVASTATING FIRE
In 2015, a major fire caused by negligence destroyed the original iconic building at 2258 Mission St. at 22nd. This devastating fire killed 38-year-old tenant Mauricio Orellana, injured 6 residents, displaced 60 residents, and destroyed 26 small businesses.
Many low-income families and immigrant small businesses lost their homes and businesses. Community-serving businesses that operated upstairs were displaced, including nonprofit news organization Mission Local, which has covered this issue since the horrific fire to the developer’s latest plans for a luxury development.
Due to the landlord's negligence, two additional fires made it so the tenant's right to return is not being respected. He owns 19 properties throughout the Bay Area. The fire safety subcontractor was found guilty of negligence. The subsequent fires burned the evidence.
THE FIGHT FOR 100% AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Due to the circumstances, the property owner Hawk Lou agreed to sell the property to the City for 100% affordable housing under former Mayor Ed Lee’s administration. However, when Mayor Lee died suddenly in December 2017, the plan for affordable housing fell apart without an administration willing to pursue it. Had Mayor Lee not passed away, this site would have become 100% affordable housing.
Since then, Latinx and American Indian organizations have repeatedly pushed for the land to be sold to the City and developed into affordable housing. Even SF Planning has tried to have facilitated conversations with the property owner. But after many years of broken promises to sell 100% affordable housing, followed by silence and inaction, the owner is moving forward to develop the site as market-rate luxury housing. As the Feb. 6 Planning Commission hearing approaches, advocates in the Mission are hopeful for change with the new Mayor Daniel Lurie Administration.
OPPOSING “LA MUERTE” LUXURY DEVELOPMENT:
A new proposal is out and it's even bigger. Updated in 2022, the proposal to develop on the site is now an 181-unit, 10-story luxury development, which will only further gentrify the Mission. As developers present their plan, advocates are calling on newly elected D9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, Mayor Lurie, Planning Commissioners, and the Board of Supervisors to oppose the development. These are the community’s legal concerns:
The tenants’ Right to Return has not been determined for those who were displaced by the fire. The property owner’s legal team is ignoring tenants’ legal Right to Return obligations following a fire, arguing that the below-market-rate units (BMRs) could serve as Right to Return, but that is not the same. There are different rules, requirements, and pricing.
There are compliance issues with civil-rights-based Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) laws. The site is in a state and City designated Priority Equity Geography, and the proposed luxury development does not meet the requirements of our community and violates AFFH laws.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
We need 100% affordability in the Mission and we must bring back those that lost their homes and businesses in the fire.
This proposed development goes against Planning’s efforts of creating race and social equity in planning and development.
To honor the livelihoods and businesses that were lost, we must preserve this property for truly affordable housing and prevent further displacement of families and businesses in the Mission District.
Join us on Thursday, Feb. 6 in making our voices heard to STOP “La Muerte”! Tell Planning Commissioners we need 100% affordable housing! Sign and share the online petition, and share the flyers for the hearing! Suggested talking points will be provided for public comment.
