Hey there, San Francisco. 

This morning, I got a notification from AlertSF to avoid the area around Octavia and Oak streets. I’m sure many of you saw that as well. 

Sadly, the incident involved a bicyclist who died after colliding with a Recology garbage truck at around 4 am. 

“This is the 11th traffic fatality on our streets this year alone, and it is completely unacceptable,” Supervisor Dean Preston said on Twitter.

Last week, a mother and daughter from Florida, who were visiting the city for a wedding, were killed after a taxi drove onto a sidewalk in SoMa and struck them. Separately, on the same day, an 82-year-old pedestrian died after being hit near Fulton and 37th Avenue. 

Preston said on Wednesday that the city needs to take “bold steps” if it’s going to reach its goal of zero traffic-related fatalities by 2024, an effort known as Vision Zero SF. 

In 2021, there were 27 traffic deaths in the city. In 2020, there were 30. 

With that… onto some more news… 

Top story: 💰 Breed’s budget 

Mayor London Breed unveiled her new two-year city budget on Wednesday, which proposed spending $13.95 billion in the upcoming fiscal year and $13.85 billion the following year. 

Specifics include: 

• $708 million in police funding next year, a $50 million increase from the SFPD’s current annual budget. 

• Over $170 million to help fund the 10% wage increases that “non-sworn” city employees are expected to receive over the next two years. 

• Nearly $50 million over two years to support small businesses, which includes paying for the city’s safety ambassador programs. 

• And, $7 million to help fund a new 70-cabin, tiny-home village in the Mission. 

What they’re saying: “San Francisco is getting back to basics, which means focusing on our economic recovery, creating a safe and welcoming city for all, supporting workers, children and families, and continuing the investments we’ve made to reduce homelessness in this City,” Breed said in a statement. 

What’s next: The mayor’s proposal will head to the board of supervisors budget committee before it reaches the full board. It must be approved by August 1. 

Quick bits: News to know 

👑 In more budgeting news, Mayor Breed has set aside $35,000 over the next two years to fund the city’s first “drag laureate” position. 

• As the Bay Area Reporter writes, “the position is being modeled after the city's poet laureates” and the inaugural person would likely be named in October, LGBTQ History Month. 

• "A position like this really legitimizes drag,” Michael Nguyen, who helped advise the city on the program, told the Bay Area Reporter. “It shows drag performers are keepers of culture.” (Bay Area Reporter) 

🏨 A “sustainability focused” luxury hotel, called 1 Hotel San Francisco, opened near the Ferry Building on Wednesday. It replaces the former Hotel Vitale at 8 Mission Street. 

• The on-site restaurant also has a new name – Terrene. And while its menu isn’t online, the Chronicle writes that it’ll have “Latin American and Mediterranean influences to go with its mezcal and Tequila-heavy liquor list.” 

• A quick search on the hotel’s website shows rooms start at around $600 per night. (Chronicle / SFist) 

🏘 Fifty condos may soon replace the vacated Jay’s Auto Body Center located on 15th Street, between Valencia and Guerrero. The plans, which have been in the works for some six years, are scheduled to go before the Planning Commission later this month. (Mission Local) 

What else I’m reading: Links to browse 

• Here are the major LGBTQ Pride 2022 events happening in the S.F. Bay Area (Chronicle) 

• Why Is This Prop A Ballot Measure Asking for Another $400 Million for Muni? An Explainer (SFist) 

• A historian reflects on San Francisco's transportation system (Examiner) 

• San Francisco Is Getting Its Own NFT Restaurant Backed by A Bunch of Tech CEOs (Eater) 

And finally… 🎨 Skatin’ Place mural 

You may have noticed a chain link fence around Golden Gate Park’s roller skating rink as of late. But fear not – it’s for a good reason. 

The area, known as Skatin’ Place, is getting its very own, “psychedelic roller-skating mural,” Hoodline reports. 

“Generations have experienced the fun, the joy, the sheer excitement of coming here to roller skate on a bright Sunday afternoon,” Church of 8 Wheels founder David Miles said in a statement announcing the project back in December. 

“This mural is a great acknowledgement to those like myself and many others that have worked hard over the years to keep the good times rolling.” 

That’s all for today. Thanks so much for reading y’all and I’ll see you back here tomorrow. - Nick B. 🛼