For all the discrete wonders of JS Bach's St. John Passion – the stirring solos, harmonically layered choruses, soaring choruses and piercing orchestral accompaniment – American Bach's performance on Sunday, March 10, reminded the enthusiastic audience at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in San Francisco remembers what a captivating achievement of musical storytelling this great work is. The composer's depiction of Christ's torment and crucifixion, which is now exactly 300 years old, seemed lively and eternally new.

While many took credit for the afternoon, Gregório Taniguchi's lyrically astute and emotionally penetrating account of the narrative evangelist was the defining center and driving force of the line. It's not often that a recitative can do so much, but this wonderfully expressive tenor used his crystal-clear German diction, modulating timbres and piercing line readings to enliven the intricate details of Christ's suffering, death and redemption. Taniguchi rarely attracted attention, his long black hair framing his striking, gaunt face.

Gregory Taniguchi | Photo credit: Sean Fitzpatrick

Equally convincing, in another respect, was baritone Jesse Blumberg, who sang two dynamic and captivating arias and brought a deep, conflicted dimension to the role of Pontius Pilate. When Blumberg's Roman governor confronted Jesus (baritone Mischa Bouvier, intense in his composure), their heated arguments created a palpable theatrical tension in the audience.

In a Passion performance that provided several highlights, the aria that Blumberg performed with the American Bach Cantorei and three strings may be the standout. In this growing, sombre, beautiful litany, sung immediately after the evangelist proclaims the death of Jesus on the cross, the poignant majesty of Bach's genius emerges. Over an evenly flowing basic bass and a wafting decanter of strings, the soloist and choir searched for answers that only faith can answer. Here, translated from the sung German, is such an exchange in which darkness, light and mystery are connected:

“Am I now redeemed from death?” The soloist posed in a kind of musical transubstantiation of Christ’s suffering.

“In my final throes,” offered the refrain, “nowhere else can lead me.”

Right at the beginning, in the refrain “Lord, our ruler,” the Cantorei took up the musical complexity and breadth of the work. With a mixture of technical precision, transparent singing and dynamic responsiveness under the undoubted conductor and artistic director Jeffrey Thomas, the Cantorei created the far-reaching foundation of this passion.

The choirs and chorales had a radiant richness of sound and emotion. As the crowd mocked Jesus in Part 2, the Cantorei sang with a harsh, sarcastic undertone. In a moment that could have been channeled by Dickens, the singers blithely suggested drawing lots for the woven cloak worn at Christ's death. More than a few times, the work's narrative reveals the dark depths of human nature.

Yet even as he captured the profound suffering and anguish of Christ's final hours, Bach infused his passion with hope, faith, and transcendent visions. A shining star came early, in soprano Julie Bosworth's aria, “I too will follow you with eager steps.” Her bright, clear tone filled the church in a flowing line that became the vocal equivalent of a long, uninterrupted beam of light. Later, Bosworth brought a sense of fully committed immediacy to the number in a short but haunting devotional aria entitled “Dissolve now, my heart, in floods of tears.”

Among the other soloists, the amber-colored mezzo-soprano Ágnes Vojtkó made a strong impression with her poignant aria “It is fulfilled!” This echoes Christ's statement as his mouth is stuffed with a sponge soaked in vinegar.

The orchestra played with their usual grace and responsiveness, but not without some unsteady spots and problems with balance. The solo strings were particularly good, as was the even, smooth draw of the continuo parts.

Running two hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission, the St. John Passion requires and demands focused attention. The printed text in the program comprised eight pages, which are well worth reading to appreciate the sophisticated poetry of Bach's settings. Although the performance of American Bach was finely crafted in many details, it ultimately formed a unified whole. Regardless of the listener's religious orientation, this was a musically spiritual occasion.

The post American Bach Produces a Deeply Transferring St. John Ardour appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and City College of San Francisco have filed dueling lawsuits over who will move the massive piece back to the college. Image by mliu92/Wikimedia Commons

Nov. 18 (UPI) — Two public institutions — an art museum and a community college — are facing dueling lawsuits over who will pay to move a massive Diego Rivera fresco.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art claimed in an October lawsuit that City College of San Francisco hasn’t paid its share to move the 30-ton mural, colloquially known as Pan American Unity, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. City College countersued Friday, saying the museum mismanaged its finances so it can’t afford to send the piece back.

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The he-said, she-said sets the stage for a court battle while the work remains stuck in limbo, college Board of Trustees President Alan Wong said.

“We were thrilled to partner with the SFMOMA to share the mural with the world. Our partnership had an agreed upon multi-million dollar budget for them to take care of and return the mural we loaned,” he said.

“Now they haven’t returned the mural by the agreed-upon deadline, exceeded the budget and want money meant for our school buildings to foot the bill. We are, therefore, deeply disappointed that we had no choice but to file a counterclaim in response to the museum’s lawsuit against the college. We look forward to resolving this dispute and returning this national art treasure to its rightful home.”

The standoff began after the school loaned the work — officially called Unión de la Expresión Artística del Norte y Sur de este Continente — to the museum in 2019 while the school performed building renovations.

According to court documents, the agreement states the museum was to budget nearly $4 million, which included $1 million dedicated to return the piece by Sept. 1. Any deadline changes were required to be mutually approved.

The school claims the museum mismanaged its finances and never set aside funds to return the piece. Instead, the museum allegedly changed the terms of the initial agreement without approval and pursued litigation, the school said.

“SFMOMA also suggested the college tap into its $181.3 million in San Francisco taxpayer bond funds, which can only be used for the construction of new educational facilities, to compensate for the world-renowned museum’s financial mismanagement,” the school said.

The mural is currently in storage at the museum but is slated to be displayed in the college’s new Performing Arts Pavilion in 2026. The piece, which spans 1,600 feet, was completed in 1940 and features 10 panels depicting the past, present and future. It also includes three self-portraits and a portrait of artist Frida Kahlo, his wife.

The post California school, museum battle over shifting huge ‘Pan American Unity’ mural appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Quick take: American Airlines’ A321neo first class started with a stressful boarding experience and meager amenities but made up for it with impressive aircraft features and a surprisingly good meal.

Pros

• Enormous overhead bins are capable of accommodating every passenger’s carry-on bags.
• Seatback USB ports next to personal device holders make it easy to charge while watching entertainment.
• Meal service is above average, with custom sundaes.

Cons

• Even on a new aircraft, American has forgone seatback entertainment and headphones.
• No food or drink menus or pillows and blankets are provided.
• The first-class seats recline relatively deeply but still feel constricted.

It’s been almost five years since American Airlines’ A321neo first entered service with new traveler-friendly features like bigger overhead bins, faster Wi-Fi, more widely available in-seat power and more first-class seats. Nowadays, American operates 70 of these planes, which you’ll often find on some of the airline’s transcontinental and West Coast to Hawaii flights.

On a recent trip from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), I came across a reasonably priced first-class flight for just 24,000 AAdvantage miles (worth $360 at TPG’s valuations) plus $5.60 via Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Here’s what it’s like to fly American Airlines’ Airbus A321neo from Philadelphia to San Francisco.

How much does first class cost to book on American Airlines?

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

American generally operates two to three daily flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco, most of which are on the Airbus A321neo. The airline sells basic economy fares, standard economy fares, Main Cabin Extra seats with more legroom and first-class seats. American uses dynamic award pricing, so award rates vary and correspond somewhat to cash fares — meaning if airfares are high, you can expect to redeem more miles for a ticket.

Here’s what you can expect to spend for a nonstop itinerary between Philadelphia and San Francisco over the next year at current prices.

All passengers can bring a personal item and a full-size cabin bag onboard. Here’s what else is included (or not) with economy versus first-class on this specific route.

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American Airlines offers complimentary upgrades for its AAdvantage elite members on this route. I was surprised to see that all but four customers on the upgrade list cleared into first class.

As mentioned, my one-way ticket from DCA to SFO via PHL cost 24,000 miles plus $5.60. If you also find a discounted first-class deal on miles, you’re best off booking with AAdvantage. When partner first-class award space is available, Alaska Mileage Plan offers seats on this route for 25,000 miles plus $18.10. If you want to use American Express, Capital One or Chase transferable points, British Airways Executive Club is probably your best option, and charges 38,750 Avios plus $5.60.

Some of the best credit cards for booking airfare include:

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Checking in to and boarding first class on American Airlines

You can check in for your flight 24 hours before departure on the American Airlines app to skip the airport check-in lines. As with the Delta and United apps, you can track the status of your inbound flight to stay apprised of potential delays.

American operates out of Terminal 2 at Washington’s National Airport. There’s a designated priority check-in area. Lines for the self-service kiosks and customer service were short. With TSA PreCheck and Clear, it took a few minutes to get through security.

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Having a two-hour connection made the 15- to 20-minute walk from my arrival in the F concourse to my B departure gate more manageable, but leave plenty of time between flights if you have a connection in Philadelphia.

The gate area for the San Francisco flight felt cramped and was air-conditioned to an arctic degree, but since the plane was only about two-thirds full, plenty of seats with power outlets were available.

Boarding began on time at 7:30 p.m., and I was among one of the first passengers to board with Group 1. As I scanned my boarding pass, the gate agent told me I had too many items to be allowed to board and halted the entire boarding process. Lacking clear instructions, I interpreted this interaction as a request to place my laptop inside my backpack, which I promptly did. Eventually, I was allowed to board, but the experience was stressful due to the lack of clear instructions and the attention of other passengers and airline staff as I hurriedly loaded my laptop into my backpack.

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The Airbus A321neo features spacious overhead bins similar to what you expect on wide-body aircraft. This meant you could place a typical roller bag on its side so more passengers can fit theirs in. We pushed back on time, partly because no bags needed to be gate-checked due to full overhead bins.

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Getting settled, first-class passengers were offered a predeparture beverage choice of water, orange juice or sparkling wine in plastic cups. The flight attendant also offered to store passengers’ coats in the closet.

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

We pushed back from the gate at 8 p.m., about five minutes early.

How comfortable was American Airlines first class?

The aircraft for my six-hour flight to San Francisco was a brand-new, 2023-delivered Airbus A321neo with the following seat count and layout in first class.

After turning right at the boarding door, all passengers pass through this single-aisle aircraft’s five rows of first class. Enhanced by the soothing blue mood lighting, the dark gray leather recliner seats have a sophisticated, if spartan, look. The last row of first class showcases the distinctive American Airlines logo on the divider, serving as a visual marker before transitioning into the economy class section of the aircraft.

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Although this was a nighttime flight, the windows felt a bit small. The Boeing 737 MAX, which American also flies, has slightly larger windows.

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While these seats do not have built-in seatback entertainment, they provide an expandable personal device holder that can conveniently accommodate a tablet or phone. Additionally, a seatback USB port is positioned next to the personal device holder, allowing you to avoid any hassle with tangled cords when you need to step out.

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Speaking of inflight charging, each seat has a universal AC power outlet in the center armrest, which opens for easy access.

Additionally, along the center armrest, you’ll find the seat control, which consists of a single metal button to recline your seat. Although you can recline your seat and adjust the headrest for added comfort, the seats do not have a forward-cradling feature. This limitation may restrict your space when the passenger in front of you decides to recline their seat.

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A foldable metal tray table expands from each seat’s other armrest. It also has a personal device stand you can pop up when the table is partially unfolded. When fully unfolded, the table provides ample space to work on, accommodating even larger devices such as my 16-inch MacBook Pro.

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There’s also a beverage tray between seats that folds down, from the preceding console which I found useful for keeping my drink handy but away from my laptop.

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

First-class passengers and pilots use the lavatory just behind the cockpit. American stocks liquid D.S. & Durga soap., which feels like a high-end touch. I captured these photos shortly after boarding, but around halfway through the flight, the lavatory clearly required servicing, which the flight attendants did not see to for the duration.

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American Airlines first-class amenities

With no headphones, pillows, blankets, amenity kits or menus supplied, American’s amenities were scant, especially for a six-hour first-class flight — particularly when you compare it to what’s provided in first or business class on the airline’s transcontinental flights, which proffer bedding, noise-canceling headphones, printed menus and amenity kits.

There was, however, an ample selection of inflight entertainment on the AA Inflight portal with 12 stations of live TV, hundreds of TV shows and movies (including hits like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Carmen”), Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Rosetta Stone language classes.

I also purchased full-flight Wi-Fi for $29. While speeds weren’t sufficient for uploading photos, I could send emails and Slack messages throughout the flight.

How was the food in American Airlines first class?

On eligible routes, which my flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco was, American Airlines allows you to reserve a meal beginning 30 days (and up to 24 hours) before your flight.

The pre-order main course choices on my flight included:

• Golden roasted chicken with roasted tomato chutney, salted smashed potatoes, haricot verts. Created and inspired, according to the airline, with wellness in mind by James Beard Award-winning author and nutritionist Ellie Krieger
• Gemelli cacio e pepe (vegetarian) pasta with cheese and black pepper served with smoky tomato sauce, zucchini and tomatoes
• Harvest vegetable and grain bowl with roasted garlic dressing, roasted vegetables, pickled onions, lentil salad, green beans, roasted shiitake mushrooms and grilled salmon available upon request (another Ellie Krieger collaboration)

You can also pre-order special meals if you have a dietary preference or restriction. I ordered the chicken, and the flight attendant confirmed my entree and asked for my preferred beverage shortly after boarding.

About 20 minutes after takeoff, the dinner service began with a hot towel. a beverage and mixed nuts.

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About 10 minutes later, dinner was served.

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The chicken dish exceeded my expectations and was a step up from United’s domestic first-class meals, which I’m more accustomed to. It had a delightful citrusy flavor, and the portion size was satisfactory. On the other hand, the shrimp appetizer fell short. It tasted more like mayonnaise than seafood, leaving room for improvement.

Complimentary beverages, including beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks, were available, but unfortunately, there was no menu provided, making it challenging to know the full selection of options.

About an hour after the dinner trays were collected, the flight attendants offered a choice of a hot fudge sundae, a lava cake or a fruit and cheese plate.

I went with the sundae, which could be customized with hot fudge, caramel, nuts, fruit and whipped cream, then served in a glass.

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The hot fudge on the cold ice cream with the crunch of the nuts hit the spot.

While the flight attendants left the passengers to themselves after the dessert service, they remained available for drink requests. About an hour before landing, a snack service was offered.

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The choices including kettle potato chips, honey-roasted pistachios, mini pretzels and sea salt corn nuts.

Would you recommend American first class?

Despite American Airlines lacking features like built-in seatback entertainment, headphones and high-end first-class amenities such as blankets, the upgraded meal and spacious 2-2 seating arrangement made my journey across the U.S. comfortable and relaxing. However, in the future, I would aim to avoid connecting in Philadelphia due to the significant distance between the inbound and outbound gates.

Although these aren’t the same updated seats Delta offers in first class on the same aircraft, with more comprehensive privacy dividers and crisp entertainment screens, the cabin still felt fresh. To enhance the experience, American Airlines could consider providing built-in seatback entertainment, menus and cradling recliner seats with wings on each side of the headrest to offer a slightly improved feeling of privacy.

If you’re flying from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to San Francisco, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or John Wayne Airport (SNA), try to work out a connection to get on a nonstop flight between these airports to experience the airline’s Flagship Business or Flagship First. On these routes, American offers lie-flat seats, menus, upgraded multi-course meals, lounge access and built-in seatback entertainment in both business and first class, which would put this particular flight to shame.

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The body of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein arrives at City Hall Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in San Francisco. Feinstein’s casket was then displayed at City Hall. Feinstein, who died Sept. 29, served as San Francisco mayor. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Joe Biden praised the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday as a dear friend and a woman of deep integrity who fought to protect what was important to America: freedom, civil liberties, security and the U.S. Constitution.

“She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, compassionate. She always served the people of California and our nation for the right reasons,” Biden said in recorded video remarks played at Feinstein’s memorial outside San Francisco City Hall.

Roughly 1,500 invited guests were at the private service, where two large screens showed photos of Feinstein over the years. Guests seated in white chairs sweltered on an unseasonably hot day as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team soared overhead, occasionally interrupting speakers with the roar of their jets.

The flight demonstration squadron is in the city as part of Fleet Week, an annual San Francisco celebration started by Feinstein in 1981 when she was mayor.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were scheduled to deliver remarks, along with Feinstein’s granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, who will speak for family.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, and former Gov. Jerry Brown were in the audience.

The service marks the end of two days of events in the city that launched Feinstein’s political career.

On Wednesday, hundreds of mourners streamed into City Hall to pay their respects, honoring Feinstein as fearless, smart and the glue who kept the city together after two shocking political assassinations.

Many said they had never met her but wanted to honor an indefatigable public servant who fought to level the playing field for women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and racial minorities.

Feinstein died early Friday at her home in Washington, D.C., of natural causes, said Adam Russell, a spokesperson for her office. She was 90.

Feinstein was one of California’s first two women U.S. senators, a job she first won alongside Barbara Boxer in 1992, dubbed the ” Year of the Woman.”

Feinstein spent much of her career in the U.S. Senate but will be known as the forever mayor of San Francisco, a role she inherited in tragedy. She was president of the Board of Supervisors in November 1978 when a former supervisor assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the city’s first openly gay supervisor, at City Hall.

Feinstein, who found Milk’s body, became acting mayor and won election twice to serve as mayor until 1988.

Georgia Otterson, 76, a health care administrator, said Feinstein wasn’t as politically liberal as she would have liked, but the late mayor earned her respect with how she kept the heartbroken city together.

“We were all mourning together, holding candles. If memory serves me, Joan Baez sang,” Otterson said of an impromptu march that night from the historically gay Castro District to City Hall. “And she held us up.”

As a centrist Democrat, Feinstein was criticized by people on the left, including for her support for the death penalty, and in her later years, for working with Republicans. But the straight, white woman largely earned the gratitude of a city that celebrates its racial and sexual diversity.

She steered San Francisco through the HIV and AIDS crisis, bringing attention to an epidemic ignored by President Ronald Reagan. She also secured federal and private funding to save the city’s iconic cable cars from death by deterioration.

Feinstein led the city as it played host to the Democratic National Convention in 1984. Another San Francisco tradition — “Fleet Week” — was started by Feinstein in 1981, and this year’s annual celebration of air shows, naval ships and military bands is dedicated to her.

While Feinstein’s career sent her to Washington, she remained deeply involved in the affairs of San Francisco, the city where she was born and raised. She often called her successors — including Newsom — to complain about potholes or trash and to offer advice and encouragement.

Breed recalled looking up to Feinstein when she was a Black kid growing up in public housing and playing the French horn in a middle school band that performed regularly at mayoral events.

“She was so proud of us and she said so, and she took the time to talk to us, express how amazing we were and to remind us that we were her band,” Breed said at a news conference the day after Feinstein’s death.

Mourners Wednesday expressed their pride in Feinstein.

“She kept moving on up. I was proud of her, very proud of her,” said Dorothy Hudson, 81, a retired federal government employee. “She was very kind, very smart. She opened doors up to let people know, ‘You can do it.’”

San Francisco native Cari Donovan placed a bouquet of red and pink lilies and daisies on the floor before the casket. She lingered, crying quietly over a woman she never knew but who was so important to her life.

“She championed and fought for the rights of so many people,” Donovan said. “I’m so grateful. And I really just wanted her family to know how much she meant to me.”

The social worker said she talked to her 28-year-old daughter about the battles Feinstein fought so that younger generations of women could dream bigger. “She was a lioness.”

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The post Biden praises Dianne Feinstein as defender of American values at San Francisco memorial | Information, Sports activities, Jobs appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

JANIE HAR
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — President Biden praised the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday as a dear friend and a woman of deep integrity who fought to protect what was important to America: freedom, civil liberties, security and the U.S. Constitution.

“She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, compassionate. She always served the people of California and our nation for the right reasons,” Biden said in recorded video remarks played at Feinstein’s memorial outside San Francisco City Hall.

Roughly 1,500 invited guests were at the private service, where two large screens showed photos of Feinstein over the years. Guests seated in white chairs sweltered on an unseasonably hot day as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team soared overhead, occasionally interrupting speakers with the roar of their jets.

The flight demonstration squadron is in the city as part of Fleet Week, an annual San Francisco celebration started by Feinstein in 1981 when she was mayor.

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Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were scheduled to deliver remarks, along with Feinstein’s granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, who will speak for family.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, and former Gov. Jerry Brown were in the audience.

The service marks the end of two days of events in the city that launched Feinstein’s political career.

On Wednesday, hundreds of mourners streamed into City Hall to pay their respects, honoring Feinstein as fearless, smart and the glue who kept the city together after two shocking political assassinations.

Many said they had never met her but wanted to honor an indefatigable public servant who fought to level the playing field for women, members of the LGBTQ community and racial minorities.

Feinstein died early Friday at her home in Washington, D.C., of natural causes, said Adam Russell, a spokesperson for her office. She was 90.

Feinstein was one of California’s first two women U.S. senators, a job she first won alongside Barbara Boxer in 1992, dubbed the “ Year of the Woman.”

Feinstein spent much of her career in the U.S. Senate but will be known as the forever mayor of San Francisco, a role she inherited in tragedy. She was president of the Board of Supervisors in November 1978 when former supervisor Dan White assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the city’s first openly gay supervisor, at City Hall.

Feinstein, who found Milk’s body, became acting mayor and won election twice to serve as mayor until 1988.

Georgia Otterson, 76, a health care administrator, said Feinstein wasn’t as politically liberal as she would have liked, but the late mayor earned her respect with how she kept the heartbroken city together.

“We were all mourning together, holding candles. If memory serves me, Joan Baez sang,” Otterson said of an impromptu march that night from the historically gay Castro District to City Hall. “And she held us up.”

As a centrist Democrat, Feinstein was criticized by people on the left, including for her support for the death penalty, and in her later years, for working with Republicans. But the straight, white woman largely earned the gratitude of a city that celebrates its racial and sexual diversity.

She steered San Francisco through the HIV and AIDS crisis, bringing attention to an epidemic ignored by President Ronald Reagan. She also secured federal and private funding to save the city’s iconic cable cars from death by deterioration.

Feinstein led the city as it played host to the Democratic National Convention in 1984. Another San Francisco tradition — “Fleet Week” — was started by Feinstein in 1981, and this year’s annual celebration of air shows, naval ships and military bands is dedicated to her.

While Feinstein’s career sent her to Washington, she remained deeply involved in the affairs of San Francisco, the city where she was born and raised. She often called her successors — including Newsom — to complain about potholes or trash and to offer advice and encouragement.

Breed recalled looking up to Feinstein when she was a Black kid growing up in public housing and playing the French horn in a middle school band that performed regularly at mayoral events.

“She was so proud of us and she said so, and she took the time to talk to us, express how amazing we were and to remind us that we were her band,” Breed said at a news conference the day after Feinstein’s death.

Mourners Wednesday expressed their pride in Feinstein.

“She kept moving on up. I was proud of her, very proud of her,” said Dorothy Hudson, 81, a retired federal government employee. “She was very kind, very smart. She opened doors up to let people know, ‘You can do it.’”

San Francisco native Cari Donovan placed a bouquet of red and pink lilies and daisies on the floor before the casket. She lingered, crying quietly over a woman she never knew but who was so important to her life.

“She championed and fought for the rights of so many people,” Donovan said. “I’m so grateful. And I really just wanted her family to know how much she meant to me.”

The social worker said she talked to her 28-year-old daughter about the battles Feinstein fought so that younger generations of women could dream bigger. “She was a lioness.”

AP researcher Randy Herschaft in New York and writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Photos: Sen. Dianne Feinstein through the years

Supervisor Dianne Feinstein holds a news conference at her San Francisco home, Sept. 17, 1971 to announce she is a candidate for mayor of San Francisco. Asked how she rated her chances against incumbent Joseph L. Alioto, she replied with one word: “Good.” She told the news conference that leadership will be the campaign’s key issue. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Richard Drew

Dianne Feinstein, 38-year-old President of the City-County Board of Supervisors and candidate for mayor of San Francisco, prepares to cast her ballot in San Francisco on Nov. 2, 1971. The city’s registrar of voters has predicted a 75 percent turnout for the election in which Mayor Joseph L. Alioto seeks another term in office. (AP Photo/Sal Veder)

Sal Veder

Acting Mayor Dianne Feinstein with Police Chief Charles Gain at left, addresses the more than 25,000 people jammed around San Francisco’s City Hall, Nov. 28, 1978 as city residents staged a spontaneous memorial service for slain officials Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Man at right is not identified. (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Dianne Feinstein elected to finish out the term of the late San Francisco Mayor George R. Moscone, addresses the Board of Supervisors following her election in San Francisco Monday, Dec. 5, 1978. (AP Photo/Sal Veder)

Sal Veder

Mayor of San Francisco Dianne Feinstein is shown in her office, Dec. 11, 1978. (AP Photo)

STF

Mayor of San Francisco Dianne Feinstein speaks in Washington, D.C., March 13, 1979. (AP Photo/John Duricka)

John Duricka

Rep. Abner J. Mikva (D-Ill.), and San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein hold a Capitol Hill news conference in Washington, Jan. 25, 1979 to promote presidential and congressional action for strong handgun control. (AP Photo/John Duricka)

John Duricka

San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein carries a candle as she lead an estimated 15,000 marchers also carrying candles during a march in memory of slain Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco, Nov. 28, 1979. In the background is a sign that says “Gay Love is Gay Power.” (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Paul Sakuma

Mayor Dianne Feinstein leaves the voting booth in San Francisco, Dec. 11, 1979, after casting her ballot in the run-off election for mayor. The mayor faces Supervisor Quentin Kopp in the runoff as she attempts to become the first woman elected to the city’s highest office. (AP Photo/Jim Palmer)

Jim Palmer

Diane Feinstein with Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Sept. 8, 1982. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang escorts San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein in the Zeguangge, Pavilion of Purple Light, where they met in Peking, Saturday, Nov. 10, 1984. (AP Photo/Neal Ulevich)

Neal Ulevich

San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, right, and Mayor Richard Berkley of Kansas City, Mo. appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee at Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, August 16, 1982 which is holding hearings on antitrust problems which professional sports teams. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart)

Scott Stewart

Democratic Senate candidates Barbara Boxer, left, and Dianne Feinstein raise their arms in victory and wave to supporters at an election rally in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1992. The two women claimed victory over their Republican male rivals, Bruce Herschensohn and Sen. John Seymour. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Alan Greth

Former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, left, and Rep. Barbara Boxer raise their hands in victory during an appearance at the airport in Burbank, California, Wednesday, June 3, 1992. The two women won the Democratic nominations for the two California U.S. Senate seats. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Paul Sakuma

Walter Mondale gestures to supporters as he is greeted by San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein outside her home as she arrived to attend a fund-raiser reception in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1984. Mondale had been in San Francisco for an after noon rally where he picked up the endorsement of the Sierra Club. (AP Photo/Lana Harris)

Lana Harris

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., reacts after the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission announced on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, June 25, 1993, that the shipyard in Long Beach in Calif., would remain open. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is at right. (AP Photo/Stephen R. Brown)

Stephen R. Brown

California Senator Dianne Feinstein and Roland J. Johnson, assistant director of the San Diego district for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, tour the San Ysidro Border Crossing in San Diego, Wednesday, July 7, 1993. Feinstein has proposed a $1.00 fee for crossing the border. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Lenny Ignelzi

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein gestures to friends on Thursday, Oct. 27, 1994 at the San Francisco Fire Department’s fireboat berth during a demonstration of equipment used to supply emergency drinking water to Rwandan refugee camps. Feinstein was instrumental in getting the equipment, credited with saving nearly 150,000 lives in Rwanda, shipped to the war-torn African nation. (AP Photo/Dwayne Newton)

Dwayne Newton

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., arrives at a Democratic election party in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

PAUL SAKUMA

Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., left, discusses re-introduction of legislation to expand a nationwide Amber Alert communication system to help find abducted children. Left to right are Feinstein, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Sen. Orrin, R-Utah, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Feinstein said Tuesday they would try again to create a nationwide Amber Alert network to help track down suspected child abductors.(AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

DENNIS COOK

** FILE ** In this July 17, 2008, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., left, President Bush, center, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., speak about the California wildfires in Redding, Calif. Firefighting costs have soared since a firestorm in Southern California in 2003. Schwarzenegger cited the expense as a factor when he deferred wages for state workers and laid off others recently as he contends with an overall budget shortfall. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Evan Vucci

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., center, flanked by Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del., left, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT., right, take part in news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, to discuss Judiciary Committee action on legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Feinstein is the lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. walks to a closed-door briefing with intelligence officials, Wednesday, June 4, 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. is surrounded by reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, as she leaves the Senate chamber after releasing a report on the CIA’s harsh interrogation techniques at secret overseas facilities. Feinstein branded the findings a “stain on the nation’s history.” (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., attends a signing ceremony for a federal grant for the “regional connector transit corridor” in Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. The light rail public transit system in Los Angeles is getting $670 million to solve one of its most vexing design deficiencies: Train riders who want to travel from one side of downtown and out the other must transfer twice. The “regional connector,” as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority calls it, will tie together three existing light rail lines with a new tunnel and three new stations. Major construction should begin later this year, with an estimated cost of $1.4 billion. It will be opened in 2020. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Damian Dovarganes

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., waves after speaking at a news conference about health care at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Friday, July 7, 2017, in San Francisco. Feinstein addressed how Medicaid cuts in the Senate Republican health care bill would devastate care for children. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Eric Risberg

Vice President Mike Pence administers a ceremonial Senate oath during a mock swearing-in ceremony to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., accompanied by her husband Richard Blum, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Manuel Balce Ceneta

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., walks at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

Actress and activist Angelina Jolie, center, is joined from left by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, at a news conference to announce a bipartisan update to the Violence Against Women Act, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

FILE – Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., arrives for the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Feinstein’s months-long absence from the Senate has become a growing problem for Democrats. Feinstein’s vote is critical to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal courts, but Feinstein is away from the Senate indefinitely as she recovers from the shingles. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

J. Scott Applewhite

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., left, talks with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., right, before a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Mariam Zuhaib

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., walks through a Senate corridor after telling her Democratic colleagues that she will not seek reelection in 2024, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com.

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July 12, 2023 at 5:50 PM EDT

It’s a jarring political ad: Images of a Chinese attack on Taiwan lead into scenes of looted banks and armed soldiers enforcing martial law in San Francisco. A narrator insinuates it’s all happening on US President Joe Biden’s watch. Those visuals in a Republican National Committee spot aren’t real and the scenarios are clearly fictional. But thanks to artificial intelligence, they look pretty real. Within days of the ad appearing online in April, Representative Yvette Clarke, a New York Democrat, introduced legislation to require disclosure of AI-produced content in political advertisements. “This is going too far,” she said. In the GOP-controlled House of Representatives, her bill is going nowhere. But it illustrates the degree to which AI’s rapid advance has put Washington on the back foot. And the 2024 election is less than 16 months away.

Biden on Wednesday championed diplomatic breakthroughs at this week’s NATO summit while seeking to bolster his reelection prospects. With Russia’s war on Ukraine still raging 17 months on, the president warned that the fate of democracy would be determined by decisions made by the US and its allies in the coming years. Before leaders arrived at the gathering in Lithuania, Turkey suggested it wouldn’t move forward with Sweden’s application to join the alliance. By the time it was over, Turkey had retreated and Sweden’s accession was back on track.

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Your Evening Briefing: AI Is Already Coming for American Politics

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In the next few years, San Francisco’s Chinatown may see the construction of a brand-new landmark called Edge on the Square, a center for Asian American arts and culture. 

The ambitious plan, with a price tag of $40 million, started back in 2019 as a coalition of community-based nonprofits who envision a massive new home tasked with uplifting Asian American storytelling.

At the corner of Clay Street and Grant Avenue, the future cultural center takes its name from Portsmouth Square, known as Chinatown’s “living room” of Chinatown. 

Now, the project is moving full speed ahead as the money is pouring in. It has officially named a new executive director, Joanne Lee, a long-time staffer at the Chinatown Community Development Center who later worked for the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Joanne Lee speaks during her announcement as the new Executive Director of Edge on the Square on Aug. 17, 2023. | Source: Jeremy Chen/The Standard

Even though Lee only started the job in August and the project is still in its infancy, she already has a big vision.

“I’m continuing to develop the programs for Edge on the Square engaging the public,” Lee said, “to both build our brand and our visibility to attract visitors and residents, and to be an economic catalyst for Chinatown.”

Next month, Edge on the Square will host its second annual contemporary art festival in Chinatown. A year ago, it drew 4,000 people to Chinatown, according to Lee.

Where Is the Money From?

The $40 million project has largely been supported by the government, in particular some $26.5 million in pandemic-era funding from Sacramento. The federal government and the city also chipped in about $2.5 million and $1 million each.

Phil Ting, the Chinese American assemblyman who spearheaded the funding from the state, said this project is the first community hub of its kind that will make social changes through the arts.

“Edge on the Square is ideally positioned to be a nexus of creative energy and racial justice,” Ting said. “I’m excited to see it bring this community together.”

Nancy Pelosi, the San Francisco congresswoman and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has also aided the project.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi speaks during the announcement of the new Executive Director of Edge on the Square, on Aug. 17, 2023. | Source: Jeremy Chen/The Standard

“I have so much respect for the approach that you have taken,” Pelosi said in a celebration event at the site of Edge on the Square. “Arts do bring people together. We forget our differences, and we laugh, inspire, cry together.”

Lee said now she will focus more on foundations, philanthropists and individual donors as new sources of funding to get the additional $10 million. The building site at 800 Clay St. was purchased in 2021 for an undisclosed amount.

Imagining a Landmark

In imagining the building, Lee said there will be museum-like spaces to showcase artwork, rooms for community engagement programming, an advanced theater with interactive technology for live performances and office space for staff.

It’s a grand ambition, one full of possibilities and unknowns alike, she said. In her philosophy, the building is to serve the community, so the organization has to figure out what the community wants first.

The current Edge on the Square will be demolished to make way for the new building. | Source: Jeremy Chen/The Standard

“Programs and services lead the design, right?” Lee said. “Not the other way around.”

Lee admits that the outreach effort may be challenging in Chinatown, as traditionally, cultural facilities are not always welcomed by low-income families, immigrants and people of color “who may not have grown up going to museums.”

To that end, Edge on the Square has already hired an architecture firm and will soon start working with a general contractor.

Talking about the timeline, Lee said that a grand opening within five years is a realistic assessment.

“I do hope that we are open by then,” she said, “and hopefully less than that.”

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• Gigi Chow spent years as a digital nomad before deciding to settle down in 2021.
• Because of the rising crime rate, she and her partner did not want to move to San Francisco in the long term.
• They traveled to Croatia to get a digital nomad visa, but Dubrovnik had its downsides.

This essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Gigi Chow, a digital nomad and former government agency manager. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2016, I quit my job as a manager at a government agency in San Francisco to travel. My friends and family were shocked that I had to give up a steady job and a steady paycheck.

My partner and I planned to travel for 18 months – as long as we could afford – and then settle back into San Francisco.

When we started traveling we fell in love with the nomadic lifestyle

From 2016 to 2021 we lived as nomads, visiting cities in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

To fund our journey, I became a consultant and contractor, doing freelance work like content marketing, copywriting, and ghostwriting. I have also recruited freelance staff.

My husband, who was previously a finance manager, transferred his skills and experience to managing private portfolios remotely.

When everything closed down in 2020 due to the pandemic, we were in Barcelona, ​​Spain and stayed there until things reopened. We returned to the US in 2021 to get married but had no plans to stay long term.

Rents in San Francisco had fallen slightly because of the pandemic. We started paying $2,200 for a one bedroom apartment. Despite finding a great deal, we were dying to leave.

San Francisco isn’t what it used to be

I grew up in San Francisco and my family lives there. There is nowhere to avoid homelessness, but San Francisco’s homeless problem has become overwhelming. I find it difficult to walk my dog. There are tents everywhere.

There is also a lot of crime. When we came back in 2021, car break-ins were so common that people were leaving notes on their windshields saying, ‘Please don’t break into this car. There is nothing of value here.”

After our marriage we traveled to South America for eight months before I returned to San Francisco to visit my parents.

I considered moving back to be closer to them, but the situation in town hadn’t improved. We were exhausted from constant travel and wanted to put down roots somewhere.

We considered where to move and decided on Dubrovnik in Croatia

We had already visited Dubrovnik twice, in 2016 and 2019. Many Croatians we met spoke English which was a big plus.

We knew that there is a digital nomad visa in Croatia. Expats I spoke to said that as long as you earn at least €2,300 a month, you can get a 12-month residency permit relatively easily.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful castle town of 41,000 people overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It’s a million dollar view without the million dollar price.

We wanted to test whether we would like to live there long-term

We arrived in March 2023 on a 3 month tourist visa. Being in Dubrovnik for so long was very different from staying as a tourist.

We found a short term furnished rental for $1,300 a month. It’s more expensive than a long-term furnished apartment, but it was a great size, including utilities and weekly housekeeping. In San Francisco, our total housing and utilities came to about $2,760.

Groceries in Croatia cost us about $1,500 a month. In San Francisco, our budget was at least $2,200.

Croatia is affordable and relaxing, but there are downsides too

I love the slower pace of Dubrovnik. It’s clean and we don’t need a car to get around. Since it’s a small place, people recognized me after a few weeks. I found that creepy.

San Francisco is so populated that everyone is free to go about their business. People move around and you’ll never know unless they’re new neighbors.

Dubrovnik is a tourist city. The local population is small and the families living there have been there for generations. Everyone knows everyone, so I really stand out.

I’m new but I’m also Asian. I have experienced what I call “unintentional racism”. I don’t think it’s malicious intent, but I’ve received comments and gestures.

People will ask me, “Where are you from?” After the answer, “I was born and raised in California,” the most common response is, “Oh, you don’t look American.” Then they mimic my stereotypical Asian eye shape. I have to explain that my parents are Chinese.

I’m not offended, but I figured I’d always felt accepted in San Francisco because it’s such a multicultural city, while Dubrovnik isn’t.

Sometimes when I walk my dog, the locals start talking to me in Chinese or Japanese. I think this is because they are more used to Asian tourists than Asian American tourists.

There seems to be a lack of awareness that America is a very diverse country. I’m just as American as someone of European descent.

Resident amenities are limited

Since I don’t really cook, restaurants are important to me. As a tourist I didn’t think about it, but as a resident I was surprised that the food was so expensive. That’s because many of the restaurants cater to tourists.

It’s not like traveling to Thailand, where the food, tourist or not, is good and cheap. A lot of the food I’ve eaten in Dubrovnik is prepared for a one-time visitor. Locals eat at home as it is too expensive to eat out.

I am traveling with my dog ​​Roger. This town is so small that there are only two childcare options for him. The veterinarian or animal hospital.

I’m used to googling “vets near me” and finding ten within a 2 mile radius. Then I can be selective and check reviews. But here’s the rule: take what you can get and hope for the best.

Get in touch with expats before you think about moving

If you are considering moving to Dubrovnik, I strongly recommend that you get in touch with the expat community first.

There are many Facebook and Instagram pages. Try to get in touch with people who are in a similar situation to you. They can give you a better sense of what to expect in the city. It’s more realistic than googling yourself.

I didn’t do it because I was here, but when you stay here longer it’s different. We will probably move to East Asia at the end of our three month stay and will not apply for the nomad visa.

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In der Water Street in Lower Manhattan gibt es ein in die Jahre gekommenes Bürogebäude, in dem es absolut sinnvoll wäre, Wohnungen zu errichten. Das 31-stöckige Gebäude, einst der Hauptsitz von AIG, verfügt über rundum Fenster und eine Form, die für zusätzliche Eckeinheiten geeignet ist. In einer Stadt mit zu wenig Wohnraum könnte es 800 bis 900 Wohnungen geben. Auf der gegenüberliegenden Straßenseite wurde bereits ein Büro, das sich nicht allzu sehr von diesem unterscheidet, in Wohnraum umgewandelt, und ein weiteres ist auf dem Weg.

Aber 175 Water Street hat einen Haken: Büros im Finanzviertel bleiben von einigen Bebauungsvorschriften verschont, die eine Umnutzung erschweren – sofern sie vor 1977 gebaut wurden. Und dieses wurde sechs Jahre zu spät, im Jahr 1983, gebaut.

„Es gibt nichts an diesem Gebäude – seine Konstruktion, seine Mechanik, seine Bautechnik –, was einen Umbau verhindern könnte“, sagte Richard Coles, der geschäftsführende Gesellschafter der Vanbarton Group, die beide Umbauten auf der anderen Straßenseite entwickelt hat. Vanbarton besaß auch 175 Water und dachte intensiv darüber nach, es umzuwandeln. Eine Zeit lang sah es so aus, als würde New York den Grenzwert von 1977 ändern, eine einfache, kostenlose Reform, um mehr Konvertierungen voranzutreiben, die von Bürgermeister Eric Adams und Gouverneurin Kathy Hochul unterstützt wurde. Ein bloßer Federstrich würde genügen, sagte Mr. Coles.

Aber diese Idee wurde in diesem Frühjahr von der gesetzgebenden Körperschaft des Bundesstaates verworfen, ebenso wie der Rest der Wohnungsagenda des Gouverneurs. Als Vanbarton zu dem Schluss kam, dass es keine Veränderung geben würde, verkaufte es die Immobilie.

Dieser Stadtblock zeugt heute von einem Problem, das weitaus größer ist als der schwächelnde Bürosektor. Dort hat sich die Stadt nicht weiterentwickelt, obwohl sich um sie herum so viel verändert hat – die Bedürfnisse der Bewohner, die Natur der Wirtschaft, das Aufkommen neuer Bedrohungen wie die Immobilienkrise und der Klimawandel.

Gesunde Städte müssen Neues bauen und Altes sanieren. Sie führen aber auch regelmäßig Tricks der Transmogrifizierung durch und verwandeln vorhandene Bausteine ​​in etwas Neues. Fabriken werden zu Loftwohnungen. Industrieufer werden zu öffentlichen Parks. Lagerhallen werden zu Start-up-Büros und Restaurantszenen.

Die Pandemie zwang amerikanische Städte vorübergehend zu solchen Veränderungen. Sie verwandelten Bürgersteige in Restaurants, Parks in Krankenhäuser, Straßen in Freiflächen. Jetzt müssen sie in einem dauerhaften und größeren Maßstab Büros in Wohnungen, Hotels in bezahlbaren Wohnraum, Parkflächen in Radwege, Straßen in Verkehrswege und Büroparks in echte Viertel umwandeln.

„Wenn uns die letzten Jahre etwas gelehrt haben“, sagte Ingrid Gould Ellen, Professorin für Stadtpolitik und -planung an der NYU, „dann ist es das Bedürfnis nach Flexibilität, das Bedürfnis, offen für Überraschungen in der Art und Weise zu sein, wie wir sie nutzen werden.“ Raum.”

Doch im Laufe der Jahrzehnte hat diese Flexibilität nachgelassen.

Amerikanische Städte haben ein Konvertierungsproblem entwickelt.

Ein Dickicht aus Regeln

Genauer gesagt handelt es sich bei diesem Problem um ein Gewirr miteinander verbundener Probleme.

Die Bebauungsvorschriften sind umfangreicher und strenger geworden. Wir haben gut gemeinte Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen in die Entwicklung eingebaut, etwa Umweltprüfungen und öffentliche Versammlungen, und sie wurden oft genutzt, um engstirnige Interessen gegenüber gesellschaftlichen Interessen zu schützen.

Wir verlangen heute von Gebäuden weitaus mehr als noch vor Jahrzehnten, unter anderem, dass sie zugänglich, nachhaltig, hurrikan- und erdbebensicher sind, dass sie fliegende Vögel abschrecken und öffentliche Räume bieten. Jedes neue Ziel ist zwar wertvoll, vergrößert aber die Kluft zwischen vor Jahrzehnten errichteten Gebäuden und den heutigen Vorschriften.

Und wir haben im Laufe der Zeit strengere Vorstellungen über die gebaute Umwelt entwickelt: dass Wohnraum auf unbestimmte Zeit an Wert gewinnen sollte, dass Politiker dafür sorgen sollten, dass dies so ist, dass Immobilieneigentümer ein Vetorecht gegen Änderungen in ihrer Umgebung haben.

Der kumulative Effekt heute, wenn Sie ein Büro in eine Wohnung oder sogar Ihre Veranda in ein geschlossenes Heimbüro verwandeln möchten? Die Bauordnung sagt nein. Oder die Zoneneinteilung. Oder die Nachbarn. Oder ein Satz in einem jahrzehntealten Landesgesetz tut es. Oder die Politiker, die darum gebeten haben, diesen Satz zu ändern, lehnen ihn ab.

„Was für ein Durcheinander haben wir uns selbst geschaffen“, sagte Emily Talen, Professorin für Städtebau an der University of Chicago, die sich mit der Bebauung oder „der Hauptader der Stadtregeln“ beschäftigt hat.

Diese Vorschriften in vielen Städten legen genau fest, wie viele Parkplätze pro 100 Quadratmeter Pfandhaus benötigt werden (anders als der Parkplatzbedarf pro 100 Quadratmeter Möbelhaus). Sie legen die architektonischen Akzente fest, die Bauherren anwenden müssen, die Mindestfläche, die ein Haus einnehmen kann, oder die Größe der einzelnen Einheiten in einem Mehrfamilienhaus.

Heutzutage sind viele Mandate nicht mehr an ihre ursprüngliche Absicht gebunden. (Schlachthöfe von echten Häusern fernhalten? Sicherstellen, dass niemand über holzbefeuerten Ladenfronten lebt, die Feuer fangen könnten?)

„Sie haben völlig aus den Augen verloren, was für eine Stadt Sie mit all diesen Regeln erreichen wollen“, sagte Professor Talen.

Diese Regeln erschweren insbesondere Konvertierungen. In New York benötigt ein Hotel einen 20 Fuß langen Hinterhof. Aber ein Wohngebäude erfordert ein 30-Fuß-Gebäude. Bedeutet das, dass Entwickler die Rückseite von Hotels abschneiden sollten, um Wohnraum zu schaffen? Warum ziehen wir überhaupt so feine Grenzen zwischen Gebäuden, in denen Menschen kurzfristig schlafen, und solchen, in denen Menschen dauerhaft schlafen? In den meisten amerikanischen Städten gab es vor einem Jahrhundert keinen derart starken Unterschied.

Und warum sollten wir einem Bürogebäude ermöglichen, in Wohnraum umzuwandeln, während ein anderes auf der anderen Straßenseite dies nicht kann?

Der Schwellenwert von 1977 in Lower Manhattan (und 1961 in anderen Teilen der Stadt) ist so wichtig, weil die Bebauungsvorschriften in der Gegend besagen, dass Bürogebäude größer sein können als Wohngebäude. Infolgedessen kann nur etwa die Hälfte des AIG-Gebäudes legal in Wohnraum umgewandelt werden.

Wenn das albern klingt: Ältere Gebäude dürfen diese Regel ignorieren; Sie können vollständig in Wohnungen umgewandelt werden, wobei einige gelockerte Licht-, Luft- und Gartenanforderungen hinzukommen. Für sie hat die Stadt etwas mehr Flexibilität gewährt.

Aber das passiert selten.

„Wenn man sich die Bebauungsvorschriften anschaut – im Laufe des letzten Jahrhunderts gab es Bebauungsvorschriften –, ist es ziemlich klar, dass sie nur noch länger und komplexer geworden sind“, sagte Sara Bronin, eine Architektin und Rechtswissenschaftlerin, die dabei geholfen hat, die Bebauungspläne in Hartford, Connecticut, neu zu formulieren . Der ursprüngliche New Yorker Code von 1916 umfasste etwa 14 Seiten. Heute sind es fast 3.500 Seiten.

Städte haben mehr Verbote, mehr Vorschriften, mehr Anhangstabellen angesammelt. Mehr Probleme.

„Ich habe einen Namen für den Aufbau dieses Zeugs“, sagte Phil Wharton, ein in New York ansässiger Entwickler. „Ich nenne es die Flickschusterei.“

Wo Nein die Norm ist

Es gibt einen weiteren Teil dieser Geschichte, in dem es nicht um Gesetze und formelle Regeln geht, sondern um die Politik und Kultur, die neben ihnen entstanden sind.

Beispielsweise sind städtische Verkehrsbeamte in der Regel nicht gesetzlich verpflichtet, öffentliche Versammlungen für jeden Radweg abzuhalten oder sich bei jeder Buslinie an nahegelegene Grundstückseigentümer zu wenden. Städte haben im Großen und Ganzen die Macht, öffentliche Straßen und Räume zum Wohle der Allgemeinheit zu verändern. Aber so etwas passiert trotzdem oft: Die Nachbarn sagen trotzdem Nein, oder ein Lokalpolitiker tut es, oder jemand droht mit einer Klage. Und die Stadt gibt zu (oder vergeudet Jahre damit, es nicht zu tun).

Diese informellen Kräfte sind oft genauso mächtig wie gesetzliche Vorschriften, können aber noch schwieriger zu ändern sein, sagte Noah Kazis, Juraprofessor an der University of Michigan. Der Gesetzgeber kann ein Gesetz umschreiben, das die Dichte von Wohngebäuden begrenzt, aber es ist eine größere Aufgabe, die Vorstellung auszumerzen, dass Hausbesitzer in der Nähe ein Veto gegen die Dichte einlegen können.

Dieser kulturelle Widerstand gegen Veränderungen (und Respekt gegenüber Nachbarn) erwächst teilweise aus der Ära der Stadterneuerung. Dies ist auch darauf zurückzuführen, dass die Amerikaner zunehmend auf Wohnraum als Mittel zum Vermögensaufbau angewiesen sind. Je mehr Menschen mit steigenden Immobilienwerten rechnen, desto wahrscheinlicher ist es, dass sie Veränderungen blockieren, weil sie befürchten, dass sie ihnen schaden könnten.

Professor Kazis schlug vor, dass die Amerikaner auch gegenüber Veränderungen konservativer geworden seien, da die Gesellschaft reicher geworden sei.

„Wenn man 70 Jahre, 100 Jahre oder 150 Jahre zurückblickt, war man sich allgemein darüber im Klaren, dass der Wohnungsbestand oder die Nachbarschaftsgestaltung einfach nicht gut genug waren. Die Leute hatten keine Sanitäranlagen“, sagte er. „Wie man das in den Griff bekommt, steht vielleicht zur Debatte, aber ob man es repariert, war nicht klar. Und das stimmt nicht mehr.“

Das Universum der Veränderungen, von denen wir uns alle einig sind, dass sie notwendig sind, ist geschrumpft.

Auch für Einzelpersonen und ganze Städte hat sich Inflexibilität als lukrativ oder zumindest wirtschaftlich sinnvoll erwiesen. Knapper Wohnraum steigert den Immobilienwert und die Steuerkasse.

In Städten wie San Francisco und New York wurde den Menschen klar, dass sie kein neues Wachstum und keine neue Entwicklung brauchten, um zu gedeihen, sagte Eric Kober, ein ehemaliger langjähriger Beamter im New Yorker Department of City Planning und Senior Fellow am Manhattan Institute. Diese fiskalische Realität begünstige die Politik des Nein-Sagens, sagte er.

„Es ist eine Schublade, in die wir geraten sind“, sagte er. „Und wir finden möglicherweise keinen Ausweg, bis etwas wirklich Schlimmes passiert.“

Die Pandemie, die Obdachlosenkrise und hohe Büroleerstände seien in New York bisher nicht das Ding gewesen, sagte er.

Ein Beispiel: Die Pandemie schien gemeinnützigen Entwicklern die seltene Chance zu bieten, geschlossene Hotels in bezahlbaren Wohnraum umzuwandeln. Breaking Ground, ein gemeinnütziger, unterstützender Wohnungsentwickler, glaubte, das perfekte Objekt gefunden zu haben: das leerstehende Paramount Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, in der Nähe der obdachlosen Kunden von Breaking Ground und in einem Viertel, in dem es sich seit Jahren keine Immobilien mehr leisten konnte.

Der Deal scheiterte schließlich am Einspruch der örtlichen Hotelgewerkschaft. Leerstehende Hotels zu Schnäppchenpreisen gibt es nun nicht mehr. Und keiner in Manhattan wurde in bezahlbaren Wohnraum umgewandelt.

„Da gab es eine Chance – eine zeitlich begrenzte Chance – die wir und wahrscheinlich auch andere leider verpasst haben“, sagte Brenda Rosen, die Präsidentin von Breaking Ground.

Im Paramount eröffnete die Stadt Anfang des Jahres stattdessen eine andere Art von provisorischen Unterkünften: eine Notunterkunft für Migranten.

„Wir sind in einem anderen Moment“

Die Regeln, die den Umbau von Büros in Lower Manhattan ermöglichen, stammen aus einer Zeit mit Anklängen an die heutige Zeit. Mitte der 1990er Jahre wurde das Finanzviertel von einer Immobilienrezession heimgesucht. Die Wall Street verlor Banken durch Fusionen und modernere Büros anderswo. Die Menschen befürchteten eine Flut veralteter, leer stehender Gebäude auf dem einst wertvollsten Grundstück Amerikas.

Die Reaktion der Stadt in diesem Moment führte zur langfristigen Umwandlung des Finanzviertels in einen Ort, an dem heute mehr als 80.000 Menschen leben.

„Innerhalb der Regierung herrschte das Gefühl, dass man an den Mechanismen der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung und der Sozialpolitik herumbasteln und eine allgemein bessere Situation für die Öffentlichkeit schaffen könnte“, sagte Carol Willis, Architekturhistorikerin und Leiterin des Skyscraper Museum. Und es gebe einen breiteren Glauben, der jetzt verloren zu sein scheine, sagte sie, dass die Menschen darauf vertrauen könnten, dass die Regierung dies tue.

Heute, sagte sie, „befinden wir uns in einem anderen Moment.“

Und doch ist mit der zunehmenden Flexibilität der gebauten Umwelt etwas genau das Gegenteil in unseren Lebensgewohnheiten eingetreten. Viele möchten heute, dass ihr Zuhause ein Büro ist, dass sich ihre Büros wie ein Zuhause anfühlen und Gästezimmer wie ein Hotel funktionieren. Geschäfte in der Nähe sind heute für viele eine Annehmlichkeit und kein Ärgernis mehr.

„Bei unserer Lebensweise geht es nicht darum, diese Dinge voneinander zu trennen – sie sind viel stärker integriert“, sagte Amit Price Patel, Stadtplaner bei der Firma Dialog, der seit langem an Konversionsprojekten arbeitet. „Die Schwierigkeit besteht darin, dass unsere Aktivitäten flexibler sind als die physische Infrastruktur, die wir bewohnen.“

Um dieses Problem zu lösen, müssten wir uns zunächst alle einig sein, dass eine flexiblere Stadt eine bessere sein wird.

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