Salesforce will get to slap its name on San Francisco's new transit center - and some folks are not happy about it
The Transbay Joint Powers Authority board voted Thursday to confirm a 25-year, $110 million sponsorship deal which will change the name of the Transbay Transit Center to the Salesforce Transit Center, according to the Chronicle.
"Unfortunately, we are in a situation where we have to rely on naming rights," Ed Reiskin, a board member and director of the Municipal Transportation Agency, said, according to the report. "I find it distasteful, philosophically, but I get it, logically - every dollar we get privately helps us fulfill our public mission."
For those outside of the Bay Area, the naming agreement might not seem like such a big deal. But critics are upset that the agreement will allow a private company to slap its name on a public facility that's being built with public funds.
"San Francisco has been home to Salesforce since our founding in 1999. As the city's largest technology employer, we are deeply committed to making this city a better place for all its residents and visitors," Salesforce said in a statement. "We're happy to grow our commitment to the city with Salesforce Transit Center and Salesforce Park, which will provide better access to and from San Francisco, and a sprawling public park for all to enjoy. Salesforce continues to be aligned with the city on investing in the public interest and we look forward to the opportunity to further discuss this important partnership."
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