Office of the City Administrator April 2026 Newsletter

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April marks the 120th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, which destroyed large parts of the city and shaped our modern-day infrastructure. Since then, we have made tremendous strides strengthening the public infrastructure and emergency response systems we all depend on. In recent decades, the City has retrofitted fire stations and police facilities, built new seismically safe hospitals, and completed seismic upgrades to our water, sewer, and transportation systems.

These efforts are planned and coordinated through the City’s 10-year Capital Plan, our roadmap for critical infrastructure investments. Led by the City Administrator’s Office and supported through voter-approved bonds, the Capital Plan helps build a safer, more resilient, and vibrant future for our city.

Watch on YouTube: 120 years since 1906: How San Francisco is Preparing for Earthquakes

Learn about Seismic Safety Investments

Community Challenge Grants (CCG) just announced $3.3 million in funding to support projects that foster resilience, safety, and belonging. This year's grant cycle will fund 25 neighborhood-led projects with up to $150,000. Awarded projects include murals, gardens, festivals, cleanup and greening efforts, and youth engagement programs—transforming San Francisco block by block through community-led creativity.

View the list of awards

Last week, the City broke ground on construction of a new Fire Department training facility. Upon its completion, this 8-acre, seismically resilient campus will ensure that firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs are prepared to respond to any emergency.  

Funded by the voter-approved 2020 Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond, this facility will enhance emergency responder capabilities and strengthen San Francisco's long term resilience. 

See the project plan

Applications for Grants for the Arts (GFTA) will open in May 2026. GFTA provides funding to sustain and support San Francisco’s diverse arts and culture organizations—bringing performances, programs, and cultural experiences across the city. This support helps ensure the arts remain a vibrant and essential part of San Francisco’s identity and economy. 

GFTA recently completed a new Strategic Framework, shaped by community input, to strengthen equity and transparency in how funds are awarded. Join GFTA’s mailing list to stay up to date on deadlines and how to apply.

Learn about GFTA

Did you know? If you currently live in San Francisco, you can get a free SF City ID card, a valid form of identification recognized by the San Francisco Police Department and other City agencies.

Now, select banks also accept City ID as a form of identification to open safe, affordable bank accounts through SF's Treasurer's Bank On San Francisco program: 

Accepts City ID as primary ID:

• Self-Help Federal Credit Union's Access Checking Account
• Amalgamated Bank's Restart Checking Account
• California Bank & Trust's OnBudget Banking Account

Accepts City ID as a secondary ID:

• Wells Fargo's Clear Access Banking Account

Anyone living in San Francisco can apply for a free SF City ID card, regardless of immigration status. City ID cards remain valid for two years.

Apply for a CityID

Off the Grid’s outdoor food market returns to Treasure Island this spring, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy local food vendors in one of San Francisco’s emerging waterfront neighborhoods.

Visit Cityside Park on Saturdays from April 11 through May 16 for critically-acclaimed food, kite flying, and some of the best views of San Francisco. Admission is free, and complimentary ferry service from the San Francisco Ferry Building will be available with advance RSVP.

Explore Off the Grid

Friends of Animal Care and Control is hosting their annual Paws for a Cause fundraiser at Spark Social on Saturday, April 25.

With fun games, pet-friendly activities, and delicious food and drinks from locally acclaimed food trucks, there is something for everyone!  

Funds help to support SF Animal Care and Control’s open admission shelter.

Get tickets

Join the SF Entertainment Commission, City officials, community leaders, and industry peers for the SF Nightlife and Entertainment Summit on Wed, May 6, at 11:00am - 4:00pm.

The summit will discuss key issues facing the nightlife and entertainment community and explore ways we can continue strengthening San Francisco’s vibrant entertainment ecosystem. Admission is free and open to the public.

Free RSVP for the summit

The San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) continues to work closely with local service providers to help immigrant communities connect with resources and information. 

Resources

• Access Immigrant Services and Resources
• Find upcoming free citizenship workshops
• Attend a free work permit clinic
• Learn about making a financial emergency plan
• Share multilingual PSAs for immigrant communities

If you or someone you know has an interaction with federal enforcement and needs immediate legal support, call the community-led Rapid Response Hotline at (415) 200-1458.

San Francisco offers dozens of programs and services — but you only need to remember one number. 

311 connects residents, businesses, and visitors to non-emergency City services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you need to report graffiti, request bulky item pickup, ask about permits, or find information about City programs, 311 makes it easy to get help. 

Friendly, trained representatives are available to assist you in multiple languages and ensure your request reaches the right department. You can call 3-1-1, submit a request online at sf.gov/311, or use the SF311 mobile app. 

Contact 311