Mayor Daniel Lurie made a surprise visit to the Alice Griffith apartments on Monday, attempting to address tenant complaints regarding mismanagement by the John Stewart Company.
However, tenants expressed skepticism over the nature of the visit, alleging that property manager Melanie Casperson was aware of Lurie’s arrival and took measures to prepare for the inspection, including cleaning common areas and ensuring elevators were operational.
The mayor’s visit, which lasted about 45 minutes, did not include a tour of the residential units.
Residents who would have shown him lingering mold issues, leaky ceilings, and pest problems were disappointed he didn’t go upstairs.
According to Lurie’s staff, he arrived at approximately 2 p.m. accompanied by police officers and was greeted by Casperson and case managers from Bayview Senior Services, a nonprofit organization working with tenants.
Some tenants, like Pam Dawson, felt disheartened after missing the mayor because she was at the grocery store during his visit.
Dawson commented on the brevity of the visit, saying, “Of course he didn’t stay long.”
Adrianne Vandercourt, another tenant, did meet Lurie and even received a hug.
Yet, she found it challenging to express her concerns about accessibility and potential disability discrimination due to the crowd surrounding the mayor during his walk.
Despite some tenants viewing him as approachable and down-to-earth, several felt Lurie did not fully grasp the dire conditions at Alice Griffith Apartments.
One tenant observed that Lurie appeared “disgusted” by the property conditions, but his only notable remark was about dog waste on the ground, saying, “Someone should pick that up.”
Vandercourt echoed her disappointment at not being able to convey the more severe issues that tenants face daily.
Notably, property management reportedly defended their upkeep efforts by claiming a lack of funds, arguing that reduced rent payments from tenants negatively impacted maintenance capabilities.
However, this claim fails to account for the deteriorating living conditions that discourage rent payments in the first place.
The San Francisco Housing Authority holds back housing subsidies for units that remain unmaintained, exacerbating the problems within the complex.
One tenant, who uses a wheelchair, suggested that Lurie should spend a weekend at the apartments to understand the tenants’ realities fully.
This sentiment recalled a similar challenge that former San Francisco mayor Dianne Feinstein faced, which she ultimately declined.
“Then he’ll see what it’s really like to live here,” the tenant remarked, encapsulating the frustrations faced by many who live in substandard conditions at Alice Griffith apartments.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/06/sf-mayor-lurie-visits-alice-griffith-bayview/
