How the city handed over control of one of the city’s most scenic locales
despite audits, voter anger and rebellious bureaucrats
Platinum Adviser Chris Gruwell and CEO Darius Anderson celebrate at the newly reopened Washington Square Bar & Grill, affectionately known as the "Washbag." Photo by Luke Thomas.
By Alison Hawkes and Bernice Yeung
Editor’s Note: This is a thorough, well researched and celebrated piece of investigative journalism by Alison Hawkes and Bernise Yeung for the San Francisco Public Press, a non-profit news organization that recently launched a print edition of its on-line publication. According to SF Public Press Executive Director Michael Stoll, the investigation and article took over two-months to research and produce. Assistance was provided by former Mercury News editor, Michael Winter. Several other journalists and news staff were involved in fact checking and producing the report. It’s a long piece, but it’s a fascinating, well-written read, an updated exposé of Pay to Play politics in San Francisco.
July 1, 2010
In the next six months, local officials and a consortium of private developers will begin to finalize legal papers for Treasure Island’s future as a high-density eco-city. Renderings of the gleaming towers, parks and gardens suggest harmony and community. Yet the promise of an urban Treasure Island, one of the most complex and risky redevelopments in San Francisco’s recent history, has for more than a decade been wrapped up in a process driven by power and influence. The mayor got near total control. Political friends got plum jobs and contracts. Critics were exiled. City and state conflict-of-interest laws were waived. Independent inquiries and the will of voters were nakedly rebuffed.
Big projects naturally draw big money. Treasure Island, currently slated for $6 billion in residential and commercial development, was an unusually large prize. But companies with political and social ties to two mayors won the two major projects related to the redevelopment — with the master development drawing only one serious bid.
The winning bidder was a group that included Darius Anderson, an influential Democratic Party lobbyist and fundraiser for both outgoing Mayor Willie Brown and incoming Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Continue reading Through two mayors, connected island developers cultivated profitable deal
The Hunger Site
July 1, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Terrific piece,
Every line of it ripped off from your Bulldog’s work over the last decade plus but still, fairly accurate. Missing are such really fun details such as how Willie hid his mistresses on the Island. I don’t want to name names but the piece mentioned a couple. Who was the one he put up in Admiral Nimitz’s mansion who went ape shit when the Navy Seals (Navy owned the space) did a practice landing under a full moon? Then, she sues the City for mental distress and Willie gives her almost a hundred grand for that and moves her over to the Port in a job where she never even shows up. Damn, I’m jealous of the guy. You can’t make this stuff up.
And, what about Bill Clinton? How could they miss that Bill is a Ron Burkle board member at like a million a year and actually owns an interest in the yacht harbor?
h.