My name is Luis Granados and I am the CEO of the Mission Economic Development Agency. 

While this is a scaled-down version of the groundbreaking we had envisioned, a celebration is in order. (Watch full event video.)

That’s because Casa Adelante – 681 Florida was a hard-fought battle. 

Once again, I am so proud of our Mission community, who stood its ground to ensure that this ground was earmarked for 100% affordable housing in the Mission.

With our advocacy — and your support — we kept this land. 

We know our families need this housing now; however, we could not build it overnight. 

To make it a reality, it took the collective effort of: 

• Neighborhood partners; 
• Stakeholders; 
• Funders;
• The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development; and 
• Community members

We see ourselves as stewards of this land.  Over the next several years, a building embedded in our neighborhood will rise, with the design incorporating the community’s feedback. Casa Adelante – 681 Florida will provide 130 affordable homes for families, with 30% of the apartments set aside for the formerly homeless. Many of our most-vulnerable community members will now have a home, as these apartments will have rents affordable to families. 

Sometimes, it may be easy to forget place when we speak about building affordable housing. But we know home is more than just the four walls that house our families: It’s very much the neighborhood in which they live. That’s why the arts will also be brought back in. Carnaval San Francisco will be located on the 9,000-square-foot ground floor, as an intentional choice to replace the loss of CELLSpace. For 16 years, CELLSpace enlivened this block by being an anchor for art, education, performance and community-building. Carnaval San Francisco will now carry on that legacy.  

Together, we stood strong in the face of the negative forces of gentrification and displacement to keep the Mission, the Mission. 

And Casa Adelante – 681 Florida is the result of our collective effort.

Thank you again for joining us for this most important occasion.