New development in the Biscuit's ongoing coverage of Dist. 9, Sup. David Campos quest to rename SFO in honor of slain civil rights leader and LGBT icon, Harvey Milk. SF Examiner has revealed a reports been released dispelling opponents worries that the name change would cost millions-instead-the estimated figure to accomplish the project is closer to 350K-500K.
Originally, based on what kind of bucks it cost other municipalities like Baltimore who renamed their airport for the late, groundbreaking, SCOTUS Justice, Thurgood Marshall. the estimated figure of $4.2 million dollars was bandied about by SFO officials who've made no secret they're against the re-christening.
This new, lowered, cost report compiled by the SF Budget and Legislative Analysis Department states that while high costs could be a later factor, initially, changing the big kahuna of the SFO signage, the massive one splayed across the front of SFO would run about $355K.
Other signage-highway and freeway signs that direct traffic guiding drivers could, in theory, be allowed to remain labeled the generic variations for 'SF International Airport'-keeping the budget from ballooning.
Each large freeway sign change is estimated to cost $20K to amend. Multiply that by the thirty-six signs CalTran would have to repurpose with the new Milk moniker and you see the cost of the rename skyrocketing.
Sup. David Campos (Photo: SF Democratic Party Website)
Campos expressed confusion as to why SFO officials had floated out such inflated numbers regarding the name change beyond the obvious reasons of stirring up opposition from fiscally concerned members of the voting public.
He also remains confident he can drum up corporate and private donor funds to make the name change a reality so no money would have to be suctioned out of the San Francisco's treasury.
Campos has secured five of the six votes needed from his fellow Supes-including Dist. 8 Scott Wiener-to bring the issue before the voters as a ballot measure in November. He feels confident he can secure the sixth co-sponsoring nod on the issue from either Malia Cohen, Dist. 10, or Dist. 5's newly elected London Breed.
If the Milk name change reaches the ballot and is approved by SF voters our City would become the first in the world to name an internationally recognized airport in honor of one of its LGBT citizens.
Supervisor Campos as one of two out and proud Gay men on the board believe that this gesture can translate into an international message of 'hope and equality' that Harvey famously championed to everyone who pass through the airports doors.
New development in the Biscuit's ongoing coverage of Dist. 9, Sup. David Campos quest to rename SFO in honor of slain civil rights leader and LGBT icon, Harvey Milk. SF Examiner has revealed a reports been released dispelling opponents worries that the name change would cost millions-instead-the estimated figure to accomplish the project is closer to 350K-500K.
Originally, based on what kind of bucks it cost other municipalities like Baltimore who renamed their airport for the late, groundbreaking, SCOTUS Justice, Thurgood Marshall. the estimated figure of $4.2 million dollars was bandied about by SFO officials who've made no secret they're against the re-christening.
This new, lowered, cost report compiled by the SF Budget and Legislative Analysis Department states that while high costs could be a later factor, initially, changing the big kahuna of the SFO signage, the massive one splayed across the front of SFO would run about $355K.
Other signage-highway and freeway signs that direct traffic guiding drivers could, in theory, be allowed to remain labeled the generic variations for 'SF International Airport'-keeping the budget from ballooning.
Each large freeway sign change is estimated to cost $20K to amend. Multiply that by the thirty-six signs CalTran would have to repurpose with the new Milk moniker and you see the cost of the rename skyrocketing.
