SAN FRANCISCO (September 13, 2005) — At a dedication ceremony at Milton Meyer Recreation Center today, City Attorney Dennis Herrera praised the opening of the new Junior Giants field on Hunters Point Hill, applauding the broad public-private partnership that is helping refurbish neighborhood recreational and public safety facilities. The unveiling of the newly renovated field marks an important first among a number of community improvement projects scheduled for completion in the Bayview/Hunters Point neighborhood, of which several will be funded by $1 million secured by the City last September to settle litigation involving four federally-subsidized apartment complexes owned by AIMCO, a Denver-based real estate investment trust.
Following the City’s settlement with AIMCO last year, the San Francisco Giants Community Fund, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco pledged to work together to use the allocated money on projects to greatly benefit the Bayview/Hunters Point community by providing children in the area with safe recreation programs and facilities. While the renovation of Junior Giants field at the Milton Meyers Recreation Center was wholly funded by the Giants Community Fund and its private-sector partners, Good Tidings Foundation and Applied Materials, Inc., complementary plans to allocate AIMCO settlement money include funding for a new Boys & Girls Club and an associated San Francisco Police Department community policing office at the site. Similarly located on Hunters Point Hill, the new facilities are expected to significantly expand recreational opportunities for neighborhood youth while enhancing public safety.
“With today’s unveiling of Junior Giants Field here at the Milton Meyer Recreation Center, we couldn’t ask for a more promising start to a public-private partnership that we hope sparks a neighborhood rebirth for local youth and their families,” said City Attorney Herrera. “I’m very proud of the progress toward fulfilling that hope that has been demonstrated here today by the San Francisco Giants Community Fund, Good Tidings Foundation, Applied Materials and others. And I look forward to continuing our own efforts with a new recreation center and policing facility in the coming months.”
The $200,000, seven-month renovation project unveiled today included the upgrading of the field’s irrigation system, installation of a new backstop and fencing, and replacement of sod and infield dirt. The field renovation was also supported by a number of community partners including Mayor Gavin Newsom and Sup. Sophie Maxwell, the American Fence Association CFCA Chapter, the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Housing Authority, the Olympic Club Foundation, and the Bayview Rotary Club. The construction partners include Robert A Bothman, Inc., Bode Gravel & CEMEX, Hunter Industries and West Coast Turf.
The litigation settled last September was City and County of San Francisco et al. v. Apartment Investment and Management Company and related cross-action, San Francisco Superior Court No. 404-010.