S.F. mayor to share weekly reports on controversial OpenGov project warts and all

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie will publish weekly reports on the $5. 9 million contract awarded to OpenGov for revamping the city's permitting systems. The PermitSF initiative, launched earlier this year, aims to centralize the permitting process through a single web portal. Media scrutiny revealed that city staff had recommended against OpenGov, citing higher costs and poor performance in evaluations. The mayor's office intends to provide updates regardless of whether they indicate good or bad progress.

The initial reports show a shift from a red status, indicating major issues, to a stable yellow status, suggesting only potential risks. The goal is to roll out fire, building, and event permits by February, though some deadlines have already been postponed. Florence Simon from the Mayor’s Office of Innovation emphasized the importance of meeting this deadline, contrasting it with previous failed attempts. Overall, the initiative seeks to increase transparency and public trust in the permitting process.