Two benches and a planter were  installed at the bus stop in front of Railroad Expresso on March 3, 2024. The project, proposed by former SNA president and current greening committee chair Ken Hollenbeck, was selected through the city’s Participatory Budgeting process and took a couple of years to be realized. 

This year, SNA is sponsoring a companion project application — also proposed by Ken — for the District 7 Participatory Budgeting (PB) Grant. The project proposal is for two benches, identical in size and color to those just installed, located at the bus stop in front of the Won Kok restaurant on the opposite side of Monterey Blvd. These benches will provide much-needed seating for those waiting for the 23-Monterey and 43-Masonic bus lines, as well as those waiting for take-out from Won Kok restaurant.

This year, each PB grant application must be sponsored by a community organization (such as SNA) and an organizations are limited to sponsoring a single project. The PB Grant submission deadline this year is March 29 and a review period follows. Grant applications that pass a review by Supervisor Melgar’s office will be voted on by residents of District 7 between May 31 and June 14. Grant winners will be announced between June 17 to June 21.