The Department of Public Health has constituted an executive planning committee to critically examine the situation, and recommend a plan of action. Public hearings will be held in early 2001. The question will also be addressed by the Health Commission, various City committees, the Board of Supervisors, and ultimately, the voters of San Francisco. The magnitude of the project cost will require a ballot measure for a general obligation bond. No final cost estimate is available yet.
Substantial work is required to develop the detail necessary to specify costs accurately.
SB 1953 only mandates the requirement to meet the new seismic safety standards, it does not provide for any mechanism to pay for the work. At the time the legislation was drafted, it was thought that the healthcare industry as a whole could absorb the total cost over time. However it is also becoming clear that many more aspects of retrofit and construction may be triggered, increasing original estimates. The City and County of San Francisco will need to raise funds through a bond measure that must be approved by the voters. However, the City also is investigating possible mechanisms of federal and state support, as well as partnerships with other healthcare providers in San Francisco.