Fire station to get last of San Bruno Community Foundation’s money

At its meeting May 7, the SBCF Board of Directors unanimously voted to move forward with spending the majority of its remaining $15 million to $20 million endowment be spent on one large-scale legacy project, discontinuing its scholarship and community grants programs at the end of the year. 

Directors are recommending that project be a new Fire Station No. 52, which the city is concurrently planning to fund through Measure Q — a recently-passed property tax designed to fund infrastructure projects in the city through up to $102 million in bonds. 

While the foundation has not conducted an extensive listening session on community priorities since 2021, board members emphasized that both the passage of Measure Q itself and a 2023 citywide study when residents prioritized infrastructure needs showed community desire for a project of this nature. 

Rebuilding a fire station in the Crestmoor neighborhood where the deadly explosion occurred would be a full-circle moment for the foundation and for the city, Director Supriya Perry said. She also noted that the foundation’s major financial commitment to completing the Recreation and Aquatic Center showed that the city doesn’t have the funding to build large-scale facilities on its own. 

“Safety and infrastructure — the things we’re talking about with the fire station — were right there at the top of the needs. And the RAC is testament to the fact that unfortunately, the city cannot meet infrastructure needs [alone],” she said. “The idea, too, is remembering the space, the route, the immediacy of where this tragedy occurred. There is a symbolic meaningfulness to that.” 

Community members who’ve benefited from SBCF programs over the years — including a yearly scholarship program and community grants for local programs and nonprofit organizations — voiced disappointment and frustration that those programs would no longer be available. 

“The scholarships are legacy projects. ... We’re changing lives with that money, giving people an opportunity to get an education with that money,” said Planning Commissioner Marco Durazo, speaking in an individual capacity. “I’m sad there’s a potential they’re going to go away.” 

Other residents voiced frustration that the foundation board hadn’t solicited community input before making their decision, especially given the current tenuous nature of federal funds for social net services. Previously, the SBCF had prioritized the needs of residents, longtime community member Andy Jones said. 

“Your foundation is even more needed to fund groups that are on shaky ground,” he said. “So why are you switching your decision-making criteria now?” 

Board President Malissa Netane-Jones defended the decision not to hold additional listening sessions and said it came in large part because of the lack of feasibility of any other major city projects. The remaining money isn’t enough to fund another large-scale project, like a library, in totality, making it a necessity to partner with the city on ongoing work, she said. 

“If we were to host another listening session, we could get wonderful recommendations and suggestions from the community,” she said. “I just wonder what would that really look like, if we were to get the five top needs of San Bruno community residents and not be able to do any of them.” 

In addition, putting the remaining foundation endowment money — which has been generated largely via investments — into the fire station renewal would allow the city to devote Measure Q revenue toward other unfunded infrastructure needs like the city’s stormwater drains system, roadwork and street lights, said board Vice President Jim Ruane, the San Bruno mayor during the pipeline explosion. 

Some, like the foundation Program Manager Jessica Carrillo, spoke during public comment about their hope that the SBCF could work on a large-scale legacy project while continuing to put money toward much-needed educational and scholarship resources. 

“These grant programs reflect the heart of San Bruno, reflecting everything from education, the arts and mental health to housing stability, food security and local business growth by addressing a wide range of evolving needs,” she said. “I truly believe there is a path forward that honors both goals — a new station and the continuation of people-centered programs.” 

This opinion was expressed by a multitude of community members who want the foundation’s work to continue, either via fundraising efforts or continued endowment investment. 

While it is entirely possible that the SBCF could continue in a new capacity as a truly nonprofit organization after the restitution funds have been spent or dedicate remaining monies to educational needs, Netane-Jones maintained that the current directive of the board was to spend down the settlement funds to the immediate benefit of the community. 

“This foundation was not created to live on in perpetuity,” she said.