Millions in funding for community beautification and events have been awarded to San Francisco organizations including those in Ingleside and surrounding neighborhoods for a second year.
Avenue Greenlight, a San Francisco-based initiative promoting post-pandemic economic recovery and revitalization, announced grant recipients for $2 million last Wednesday. Of the 50 San Francisco groups chosen, many are located within and around Ingleside such as the nonprofit Ocean Avenue Association, Friends of Lakeside Village and the Excelsior Action Group to name a few.
Projects range from street lighting for Ingleside’s stretch of Ocean Avenue, branding, murals and community events like the 42nd Comedy Celebration Day, Phoenix Day and other arts and music festivals.
“We believe the lights will make Ocean Avenue feel safer, livelier and benefit Ingleside merchants and residents,” said Gabriel Cory, the nonprofit’s deputy director.
The Ingleside community has been awarded a portion of these funds in the past including the Ingleside Merchants Association. The volunteer-run association used their $50,000 grant to create Ingleside Fest last year in addition to new marketing like maps of the neighborhood with key markers of historic buildings, pamphlets, stickers, tote bags and beanies with a newly designed logo by Good Stuff Partners.
“After being a lifelong resident here in the community, it’s the first time I've seen so much movement, not only on the political side but also on the community side, to make things bigger and better on the corridor and it's really exciting for me,” said Miles Escobedo, owner of Ocean Ale House and the president of the merchants association.
Launched in 2021, Avenue Greenlight is funded by billionaire Chris Larsen, who co-founded the crypto company Ripple.
“We’ve really been taken by how efficiently these merchant associations have gotten the biggest bang for the buck,” Larsen told the San Francisco Chronicle in March.
Other Avenue Greenlight projects funded this year include a Irving Street events, monthly wellness and live music events on the Great Highway, Sunset night markets, art walks in Castro and Glen Park, Church Street branding such as flower baskets and banners, replacement of Castro’s rainbow flag and providing refreshments for those that participate in Glen Park’s monthly cleanups.
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
