| 5/1/2009 | Arden Wood makes some progress | download article | Status of the two Arden Wood developments: 1) the seven houses at 15th and Wawona and 2) the proposed condominium project is stalled because of the economy. | West Portal Monthly | Eric Castongia |
| 11/21/2008 | City embraces community benefit district trend | link to on-line article | While the article is specifically about community benefit districts being planned in Oakland, it's important to realize the trend. West Portal Avenue is in the process of developing a community benefit district to enhance it's commercial area. | SF Business Times | Douglas Robson |
| 11/7/2008 | Developers find ways to drive new residents home | see on-line article | This article talks about how developers are having to comply with a 2005 SF City ordinance which requires developments with 50 or more units to be required to offer car-sharing services on-site or within 800 feet of the building. It highlights the city's push toward public transit and green development. | SF Business Times | Leena Rao |
| 10/31/2008 | Credit Freeze puts major S.F. projects on ice | link for on-line article | Article on how the credit freeze has affected proposed new developments in the city and throughout the country. | SF Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 10/29/2008 | Let's Dense | download article | Article about California Passing SB375, which directs the state's Air Resource Board to work with planning authorities to set land use plans taking greenhouse gas reduction targets in mind. This means more dense housing with public transit-oriented communities in mind. | California Architecture and Design | Sam Lubell |
| 10/17/2008 | Mission Bay housing construction slows to a crawl | Link to on-line story | The current financial woes are slowing construction in Mission Bay. Will no current movement on the proposed Arden Wood Development, perhaps the economy is slowing that project down as well. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 10/17/2008 | Slump has silver lining for affordable housing | link to on-line article | The declining real estate market could be creating an opportunity for affordable housing developers to buy entitled projects not able to get off the ground by market-rate developers. | SF Business Times | Blanca Torres |
| 10/1/2008 | Making 19th Avenue Safer | download article | Assemblywoman Ma reports on planned improvements to 19th Ave. to make it safer. | West Portal Monthly | Fiona Ma |
| 8/15/2008 | Projects emerge from deep freeze S.Fl lifts 2-year 'moratorium' | Link to on-line story | The result of the lift of the moratorium allows building more housing that has been waiting in the Eastern neighborhoods. As more is built in the Eastern neighborhoods, as well as changes in zoning, we think, so will go the Western neighborhoods if allowed to. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 8/1/2008 | Tracking 19th Ave. developments | View article | Supervisor Elsbernd proposes creating legislation that would take cumulative impacts of the various proposed developments on the Westside, into account. Historically, the San Francisco Building and Planning Departments have looked at projects on an individual basis, therefore, not looking at their joint impacts on a neighborhood, infrastructure, traffic and density. | West Portal Monthly | Supervisor Sean Elsbernd |
| 7/9/2008 | Powerful new S.F. Landmarks Board Proposed | View the on-line article | This may be relevant in getting historical status for the main Arden Wood Building. | San Francisco Chronicle | Robert Selna |
| 7/1/2008 | DPH Studies Eastern Neighborhoods Rezoning Plan | View article | At this time, no rezoning is planned for the Western Neighborhoods, but how long will it be before they will? Anticipation of rezoning of Western Neighborhoods should be anticipated as San Francisco becomes more dense. | Bay Area Real Estate Journal | Brett Gladstone |
| 6/27/2008 | Bold Vision for more density in city's western edge | download article | Discussion about the plans for Park Merced; adding approximately 6,000 housing units over the course of the next 20 years. | SF Business Times | Vanessa Richardson |
| 6/1/2008 | Outer Sunset to Lose John's Ocean Beach Cafe | View article | A commercial block across from the Zoo, containing Roberts at the Beach Motel and a commercial building containing John's Ocean Beach Cafe is in the planning stages of giving way to a new mixed use commercial and condominium development built on the site. Neighbors are in the process of fighting the height and density of the development. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Phyllis Sherman-editor West of Twin Peaks Observer |
| 6/1/2008 | Neighbors weigh Arden Wood's current proposal | View article | Neighbors weigh in on continuing concerns of the proposed Arden Wood development, despite developer changes to the original design. | West Portal Monthly | Eric Castongia |
| 5/9/2008 | Builders will seek urban home deals | Link to the on-line story | The Home Builders Association of Northern California is looking to have a San Francisco presence. They are here to support future development of higher density housing, which the city is working toward through transit corridors and the transit first policy. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 5/1/2008 | On Fame, Fortune and Principle-Dispatch from the Westside | View article | Denise mentions the Arden Wood development and urges neighbors to stay involved in the process to prevent a bad development from getting built. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Denise LaPointe |
| 4/1/2008 | Mixed-use development slated for Sloat Boulevard | View article | This article discussed the proposed mixed-use project at Sloat and 46th Ave. across from the Zoo. | West Portal Monthly | George McConnell |
| 3/14/2008 | Stonestown welcomes grocer, mulls expansion | Link to on-line story | This story describes proposed development at Stonestown Shopping Center-this is expected to add traffic congestion in the area. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 3/1/2008 | Arden Wood Neighbors, Developers Closer | View article | These side by side articles were written by Eric Castongia, member of the Neighbors of Arden Wood (NOA) and Robert Mendelsohn, President of Republic Urban Properties, LLC, proposed developer of the Arden Wood property in an effort clearly delineate the concerns of the development and what is being done to answer the concerns. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Eric Castongia and Robert Mendelsohn |
| 3/1/2008 | Arden Wood developer makes significant changes | View article | This article talks about the Republic Urban Properties (RUP) workshops given to showcase RUP's changes to the proposed development to select neighbors of the project. | West Portal Monthly | Eric Castongia |
| 3/1/2008 | Arden Wood Neighbors Object to Towers. Developers change their plans | View article | This article outlines some of the changes made by the proposed developer to the project and some outstanding issues raised by neighbors. | Fogcutter | Eric Castongia |
| 2/1/2008 | New S.F. condo project will be a rarity in 2008 | view on-line article | Although getting financing is difficult now, interested parties need to stay on top of plans for the site to best be prepared for when financing becomes available. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 2/1/2008 | Proposed Eight-story building at Market and Buchanan Streets causing controversy | View article | | Castro Courier | Jaime San Felippo |
| 2/1/2008 | You can't always get what you want | View article | This is a call to action for neighbors to stay informed of the many residential developments proposed throughout the Western neighborhoods. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Denise LaPointe |
| 2/1/2008 | New Park Merced owners unveil green expansion plan | View article | This article talks about the proposed 6000 additional units proposed at Park Merced over the next 20 years. Units are planned to be added at each year as infrastructure changes are made. Units built will be both rentals and for-sale units. | West Portal Monthly | Rae Doyle |
| 1/1/2008 | Towers on Wawona? | View article | This article discusses the town hall meeting held on November 1, 2007, hosted by the Neighbors of Arden Wood (NOA) and the West of Twin Peaks Central Council (WTPCC). | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Eric Castongia |
| 12/1/2007 | Letter to the editor by Ed Reidy | View article | This letter to the editor is in response to an article written by Robert Mendelsohn, President of Republic Urban Properties, LLC, proposed developer for the Arden Wood property. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Ed Reidy |
| 12/1/2007 | Arden Wood neighbors, developer listen, learn | View article | This article talks specifically about the town hall meeting on November 1, 2007 hosted by the Neighbors of Arden Wood (NOA) and West of Twin Peaks Central Council (WTPCC). The town hall included presentations by both NOA and Republic Urban Properties, LLC, proposed developers of the Arden Wood property. Neighbors were given a chance to ask questions and express concerns. | West Portal Monthly | Eric Castongia |
| 11/30/2007 | San Jose developer wins art school site for housing | Link to on-line story | The story announces The Riding Group's acquisition of the San Francisco Unified School's site of the former art school (SOTA) near SF State. The Riding Group also developed the former Shriner's Hospital on 19th Avenue into townhomes. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen and Ryan Tate |
| 11/1/2007 | Eric Castongia Interviewed on Channel 11 News | View the Video Clip on-line | This is a short interview of Eric Castongia that Cheryl Hurd of NBC 11 News conducted back in late October of 2007 and then ran on November 1st - the day of the Town Hall meeting in St. Cecilia Lower Church.
| NBC 11 News | Cheryl Hurd |
| 11/1/2007 | Arden Wood Project Plan Ready for a Major Step Forward | View article | This article was written by developer Robert Mendelsohn, president of Republic Urban Properties, LLC San Francisco Division; proposed developers of the property. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Robert Mendelsohn |
| 11/1/2007 | High Rises in Arden Wood | View article | This article summarizes Arden Wood, Inc.'s intent to sell the property to Republic Urban Properties, LLC, their original 'tower' scheme for the site which was wildly unpopular with the neighborhood and the outcome of the town hall meeting on November 1, 2007. | Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods Newsletter | Rae Doyle and Eric Castongia |
| 10/26/2007 | SummerHill's boss is ready for competition | Link to on-line story | SummerHill Homes is looking to expand their business. With a project already planned in San Francisco, they could be looking for more in the future. | San Francisco Business Times/San Jose Business Journal | Sharon Simonson |
| 10/5/2007 | Balboa BART plan on track for housing, retail | Link to on-line story | There are plans for 1800 housing units to be built along Ocean Ave., adding to the already aggressive plans to add housing in the area. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 10/1/2007 | Noe west | View on-line article | A puff piece about West Portal. This was written at the time a 13 story building was proposed at Arden Wood. Neighbors adjacent to Arden Wood were most definitely NOT on board. No neighbor was asked to participate in this article. | San Francisco Magazine | Gina Kessler |
| 10/1/2007 | Sean Elsbernd weighing in on Arden Wood | View article | This article specifically mentions Supervisor Elsbernd's motion to send the eight house development at 15th Ave. and Wawona, to get further review, prior to approval. He also mentions that the proposed condominium development on the western side of the Arden Wood project will not be granted a categorical exemption from performing an Environmental Impact Report. | West of Twin Peaks Observer | Supervisor Sean Eslbernd |
| 9/19/2007 | Forget the neighbors-build away! | View article | This opinion piece is written specifically about a project that is proposed on Valencia Street, where neighbors are up in arms about the height and density of the project. Projects throughout the city are attracting attention and forcing neighbors to take a stand on what is ok and what is not, in their neighborhoods. | San Francisco Bay Guardian | Dan Hoyle |
| 9/1/2007 | A message from the President of GWPNA | View letter | This intro letter from the President of the Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association (GWPNA), states that members have stated that the outcome of the proposed Arden Wood project is important to them. GWPNA has had presentations by both the Neighbors of Arden Wood (NOA) and the proposed developer, Robert Mendelsohn of Republic Urban Properties, LLC. | Fogcutter | Bruce Engel |
| 9/1/2007 | Arden Wood Neighbors file discretional [ary] review on Phase I | View article | This article is about neighbors adjacent to the 8 new home development at the corner of 15th Ave. and Wawona filing for a discretionary review of the project. The discretionary review was heard by the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Elsbernd recommended that the project be sent back for additional review-for a traffic study. | Fogcutter | Rae Doyle |
| 8/24/2007 | County, cities to tackle housing as regional problem | download article | An article talking about how counties are thinking about building housing on a regional basis rather than by city, in situations where some cities may be less amenable/slow to build new developments. | SF Business Times | Amanda Bishop |
| 8/23/2007 | SF spike in fatal accidents brings crackdown on safety violations | Link to the Article | This article talks about how dangerous many of the high-traffic corridors are to pedestrians in San Francisco, and calls special attention to 19th Ave & Sloat - only 300 feet from the proposed entrance/exit for the 160+ unit complex planned for the Arden Wood property.
| San Francisco Chronicle | Rachel Gordon |
| 7/15/2007 | Arden Wood may be a boon for West Portal | View on-line letter to the editor | There are positives and negatives for the proposed development being built in the neighborhood. Neighbors want what is built to be sensitive to the neighborhood history, character and architecture. | San Francisco Chronicle | Fred Martin |
| 7/8/2007 | Arden Wood neighbors respond | Link to the Letters | The Chronicle published three "Letters to Real Estate" in direct repsonse to the Larry D. Hatfield article published the previous week.
| San Francisco Chronicle | Burr, Castongia, Hewitt, Shanahan, Lutz |
| 7/1/2007 | Townhouses to rise near Stern Grove | Link to the full article at the Chronicle Web site | This article generally gives a good overview of the proposed development project and the $18 million deal that Arden Wood cut with the developer. It also mentions in passing the 8-luxury homes being built by a different developer (project currently underway) on the opposite side of the Arden Wood property. This article was written without benefit of neighbors weighing in on how they felt about the development. A call to the editor of the real estate section complaining about the one-sided story was made; he refused to run an article that gave neighbors a chance to outline their concerns.
| San Francisco Chronicle | Larry D. Hatfield |
| 6/26/2007 | Neighbors win against housing plan in an appeals ruling | View on-line article | This was a challenge to the San Francisco General plan which would have created higher density. This is of particular importance on the Western side of the city which is historically more 'suburban'. | San Francisco Chronicle | Bob Egelko |
| 4/13/2007 | Market Street towers plan still faces fight | View on-line article | The executive director of SPUR says at the end of this article that if "If San Francisco wants to keep the Western neighborhoods free of new buildings, a very modest trade-off is to allow more height in places like Market and Van Ness." | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 3/30/2007 | Leafy west side tract scores a new developer | View on-line article | This article announces Republic Urban Properties being the selected developer for the proposed Arden Wood development after Union Capital Properties decided to drop out of the deal. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |
| 2/1/2007 | San Francisco 2020 | View on-line article | This is a glimpse into the future of what San Francisco could be like, taking into account current plans by the San Francisco Planning Department; particularly in reducing the number of cars. Through the 'transit-first' policy already being implemented, not every unit being built will have parking, so in the interim, where do all the cars that are needed before sufficient public transportation is built, going to be parked? | San Francisco Magazine | Barbara Tannenbaum |
| 12/4/2006 | Developer drops condo plan at S.F. enclave | View on-line article | This article announces Union Capital Properties withdrawing from the proposed Arden Wood development. | San Francisco Business Times | J.K. Dineen |