Governance
We believe: The public sector can and should serve the collective good.
• Improve government’s capacity to provide services and address challenges effectively.
• Support voter engagement.
Our Goals
SPUR Report
Designed to Serve
San Francisco’s governance structure has evolved to distribute authority and maximize oversight. As a result, policies don’t always meet the needs of the people they intend to serve. SPUR outlines how San Francisco can choose to design a better system.
SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide helps voters understand the issues they will face in the voting booth. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, providing objective analysis on which measures will deliver real solutions.
SPUR Report
Making Government Work
Many of the challenges Oakland faces are worsened by its unusual government structure, which makes it harder for the mayor and other officials to do their jobs well. SPUR explores how the city can adapt its governance structure to better serve Oaklanders.
Updates and Events
November 2015 Voter Guide
Voter Guide
SPUR provides in-depth analysis of the 11 local propositions on San Francisco's November 2015 ballot. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, offering objective analysis and advising voters on which measures will deliver real solutions.
SPUR Comments on Mission Rock Ballot Question
Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports adding language to the Mission Rock ballot measure specifying the requirement to add a minimum of eight acres of open space and 33% affordable housing on site. We believe it's important that voters understand that their approval of the overall height limits must include these public benefits.
From Catastrophe to Renaissance
Urbanist Article
Not so long ago, it seemed to many that New Orleans might be done for, the first city to succumb to the existential threats of our age. But a decade after Hurricane Katrina, the Crescent City is back — and may be better than ever. What can we learn from New Orleans about what really makes a place resilient?
2015 Good Government Awards: Jimmy Chiu's SFO Runway Safety Program
News /
Jimmy Chiu , Airport Infrastructure Program Director, led both design and construction efforts for the successful implementation of FAA-required runway safety areas at San Francisco International Airport (SFO ). Chiu worked to build consensus among the FAA, airlines and airport operations staff to ensure the project would be completed by the December 2015 federal deadline.
2015 Good Government Awards: Paula Kehoe's Water Supply Diversification Programs
News /
Paula Kehoe oversees pivotal water conservation and water resource diversification programs for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission . With California’s severe drought conditions, the work of the Water Resource Division, led by Kehoe , is particularly critical. Kehoe directed the development of new strategies for water supply diversification through non-potable supplies.
2015 Good Government Awards: The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Team's World-Class Terminal
News /
The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Team managed design, financing and project implementation to create a LEED-certified , world-class cruise terminal at Pier 27. The team set priorities, aligned interests and assured financial stability for this Port of San Francisco project.