A kidney dialysis center’s plan to move into a former Target space on Ingleside’s Ocean Avenue was approved by the San Francisco Planning Commission in September.
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RAI Care Centers was granted conditional use authorization to locate its kidney dialysis center at 1830 Ocean Ave. on Sep. 19. The center currently operates one block away and had tried to expand into the former CVS Pharmacy space next door but abandoned its bid after facing opposition from neighbors and dealing with parking and loading issues.
“Our main concern here is access to care for these patients in this market,” said Justin Chung, the project sponsor. “We've been there for 30-plus years. We intend to stay here. It took us several years and tries to find the right real estate for us to stay in this market and so this was our solution to that problem.”
RAI Care Center representative Justin Chung made a case for the authorization to move into the new space in front of the Planning Commission. | SFGOV
Business hours will start at 5 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. Since it would also be a bigger space, the company plans to create exam rooms, staff offices, 36 treatment stations and support spaces. They will also outfit the exterior with windows along Ocean Avenue and install mechanical vents along the Dorado Terrace side.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is also outfitting the current passenger loading spot in front of the new store for commercial use as part of their K-Ingleside Rapid project.
Despite patients like Adrian Kinchola, who spoke at the meeting, praising the current dialysis clinic's work, the issue for some residents lies within the building.
Adrienne Leifer, who lives above the facility, raised concerns about noise when it comes to the machines and the property owners, Seligman Group, not currently taking care of resident complaints, noting how they’ve left a high-pitched boiler room noise unfixed even after a visit from the health department.
“I actually wouldn't have a problem with a dialysis center at 1830 Ocean Ave. if I thought the property would be cared for,” Leifer said.
Adrienne Leifer took issue with potential noise issues stemming from the dialysis center. | SFGOV
All commissioners voted to approve this item with the recommendation that its architects take all necessary measures to prevent noise.
“We're entering this era in retail with the transition driven by e-commerce where we have to start thinking about sort of non-traditional generators of foot traffic and visits to places and so, for me, that's exactly what this represents,” Planning Commissioner Derek Braun said.
RAI Care Center is owned by Fresenius Kidney Care, which also has two other locations in the city and another nearby in South San Francisco. In 2019, the company agreed to pay $231 million in criminal penalties to resolve corruption charges.
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.
