Developer Pays Up on $500K Mission Arts Space Promise; Subcontractor Says He's Still Owed

San Francisco's Government Audit & Oversight Committee wrapped a brief session Feb. 19 after learning that developers behind Mission District housing projects have finally delivered on a long-standing $500,000 commitment to fund a community arts space — closing the book on a hearing that never needed to happen. But a small-business owner's plea for $47,000 in unpaid work added an unexpected wrinkle to an otherwise tidy resolution.

• Mission District developers fulfill $500,000 promise for community arts space at 681 Florida St., prompting committee to file hearing without further action

• Small flooring subcontractor testifies he's owed $47,000 for work completed over a year ago on a related Florida Street project, alleging the property owner was waiting on developer funds to pay

• Seven lawsuit settlement items advance to full board with no discussion, headed for the March 3 Board of Supervisors agenda

The basics: The committee had scheduled a hearing to scrutinize financial commitments made by private developers of housing at 2000–2070 Bryant St. and 681 Florida St. in the Mission District, including a $500,000 obligation to fund tenant improvements for a community arts space at 681 Florida St.