As part of the Mayor's Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget proposal, Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced a five-point plan to support San Francisco's local manufacturing industry during SFMade Week. According to SFMade, a local nonprofit that assists and supports the vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco, the City is home to more than 325 manufacturing firms employing 3,000 people.

"San Francisco is becoming a national model for innovative local urban manufacturing," said Mayor Lee. "We are working with SFMade to provide a focused effort and demonstrate our commitment to manufacturers in San Francisco who continue to thrive and produce not only great products, but also great jobs for San Franciscans." Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that a broad range of arts-related events will begin along the Central Market corridor beginning May 8th. The Summer of Art series at U.N. Plaza, made possible in part by a $20,000 grant from the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, will run weekly on Tuesdays through September, and is a collaboration of the theater, dance, and music community of the Central Market Arts District. The activation of U.N. Plaza through innovative arts programming is a key element of the Central Market Economic Strategy, the City’s holistic strategy for economic and community development in the district. Last week, the Central Market Economic Strategy was selected by the American Planning Association (APA) Northern California as the winner of their 2012 Grassroots Planning Award.

“The Central Market Economic Strategy is a roadmap to guide our efforts to create jobs, stabilize the community and transform the quality of life for the neighborhood,” said Mayor Lee. “The arts are an integral part of this strategy. I thank the Rainin Foundation and the Northern California Chapter of the APA for recognizing our efforts to create an eclectic cultural arts, small business, entertainment and innovation economy hub in Central Market.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced that this weekend’s Sunday Streets event will kick off a four-month pilot on the popular Mission route. Over the next four consecutive first Sundays of the month, residents can enjoy the 2.2-mile route along Valencia Street between Duboce Avenue and 24th Street and 24thStreet between Valencia and Hampshire Streets. The pilot will explore the feasibility of holding more frequent Sunday Streets events on this and other established routes.

“Sunday Streets showcases our City’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, and has also proven a cost-effective way to improve the health of San Franciscans,” said Mayor Lee. “We are committed to ensuring the program’s continued growth and success in 2012 and beyond.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today presented his proposed two-year balanced budget for seven City departments totaling $5.2 billion. The May 1st budget focuses on enterprise departments or agencies within City government that generate revenue. 

"This May 1st budget focuses on putting San Franciscans back to work, investing in our City's infrastructure and keeping San Francisco safe, solvent and successful," said Mayor Lee. "By creating thousands of jobs, seismically strengthening our water system, improving our Airport terminals and runways, investing in Muni maintenance and upgrading our piers, we are ensuring that San Francisco will have a secure economic future. This budget proposal, and this year’s budget process, reflects my commitment to innovate to solve our City's challenges, involve the public, and invest in our capital assets and workforce." Read more.