"But in the final days before it was approved in 2016, the developer's lawyer added a sweetener to the deal: Podell promised to cover $500,000 of the costs to build out a community art space at a 100-percent affordable-housing project next door. He had earlier donated land to the city to make that affordable housing project possible. The project was voted through 11-0."
"The buildout of that community art space was finally completed this month, but the promised money, has yet to arrive. Roberto Hernandez, the chief executive officer of Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas, which occupies the arts space at the affordable housing complex at 681 Florida St., said he spoke with Podell about a month ago. Podell, he said, offered to pay $100,000 and told him he did not have any money, and that Hernandez should get the city to pay the sum."
"Last week on Oct. 21, District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder called for a hearing to find out why and to help secure the payment. "I'm hoping we can make this right," said Fielder. Podell did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The developers and owners of the 130 units of affordable housing at 681 Florida St., known as Casa Adelante, declined to comment."
Nick Podell proposed a 2015 project that would have created 300 mostly market-rate units in the Mission District's industrial northeast. The proposal sparked clashes between pro-housing advocates supporting development and tenant activists demanding fully affordable housing. Activists called the plan the "Beast on Bryant" and hoped officials would reject it. Podell donated land for a 100-percent affordable project next door and promised $500,000 to build out an attached community art space, helping secure 11-0 approval in 2016. The art space buildout finished recently but Podell has not delivered the promised funds, prompting a supervisor-called hearing.
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