San Francisco Federal Building

Whatever people have business in the federal building is one thing. Behind the scenery with the government workers, this is much different. There is nothing but favoritism, who’s in and who should be taken out. Because this is a life time job, don’t think for one second they won’t remove someone not into their clique. They can come in every day and chat with one another because this is a given. I didn’t know what some acquaintance said to me many years ago, but that’s an easy job. Forbid if you’re into social media. They will hunt you down, identify you, get the word out, because government employees are like clones of one another, act alike to keep their life time job, walk the boring straight line and remain boring and dull. This is what a government employee is about.

I lucked out as the security guard was very helpful directing me to the wayside office where I had an appointment. The security check and general layout seemed pretty organized and was rather empty at eight in the morning. Located right next to the Civic Center, there are not only a variety of public buildings and museums close by, there are also several eateries that I’d like to try if I come again. But let’s hope I don’t have to.

Called the FBI in the Federal Building to inquire about a men’s silver bracelet that may have been left at the checkpoint on Golden Gate Avenue on March 9, between 8 and 8:30 a.m. The FBI operator could not help and the supervisor said there is no public telephone contact information. Solution: You could try coming to the building and inquiring with the security people.
The bracelet may or may not have been left there but for a public multistory building to have no lost and found and no way to contact the people at the security check point is an example of government for government and publlc be damned.

First, where in the world do you park, if there are no parking garages on this block for the public? Driving around several blocks, looking for street parking sucks! You have to practically stalk people to get their spot. And, then, it’s $ 3 an hour!
Anyway…my experience for taking care of business at this building was great. But, the lack of parking makes it extremely difficult to want to come here. OK, yes, you can take public transportation, but I had several meetings in the city that day.
Security — Strange. I had to take out my cell phone out of my purse. Then it’s the usual «airport» style security.
For the most part, the employees didn’t seem excited to be at work. But, I lucked out and had a lady who smiled, who said, «Good Morning,» and I was able to get all of my questions answered in a matter of minutes. So, there are still a few nice government employees.
If you plan to come here, come early. As a matter of fact, come before the start of business, which is usually 8:30. It doesn’t matter what branch of the government you’re visiting, there will be a line. So, the earlier the better. Especially, if you’re going to drive here.

It truly has been an exciting week (²⁄₁₁ to ²⁄₁₅) in the building. With Black History Month happening, there was also a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale for the C5 Children’s School and Senator Leland Yee’s invitation to attend a celebration of Chinese New Year — Year of the Snake.
The bake sale was for scholarship and staff development. All the baked goodies (brownies, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, nut breads, etc.) they had were tempting, but I managed to walk about from the sweet treats with two red velvet cookies for $ 1.00; a pack of ½ dozen Mrs. Fields’ cinnamon sugar cookies for $ 2.00.
Senator Yee’s event was entertaining and I have taken so many pictures with my cell phone that I ran out of memory and had to delete some of photos I had stored. I missed the first part of this event — the lion dancers and the fireworks — darn. At least I was able to enjoy most of the program — the Chinese folk dancers, the three guys from the Shaolin School performing their gung fu moves and the gentleman doing the calligraphy for the Year of the Snake.
I enjoy working in this building and its diversity in having two different cultural events during the month of February.

Not bad for a governmental office building.
LOCATION: Don’t get this building (technically the Phillip Burton Federal Building) confused with the newer San Francisco Federal Building on Mission and 7^th.
ARCHITECTURE: Immensely blah although the non-​skateboard friendly ramps and front landscaping add some modernity to the otherwise non-​descript 1950s building.
SECURITY: They go all out here, almost as bad as the airport. You have to show your ID, take off your belt, take out your phone, and your computer (including cords) before everything is x-​rayed. The security folks are all friendly and work relatively quickly.
CAFETERIA: One of the better cafeterias you will find in a courthouse.
VIEWS: Some of the conference rooms on the higher floors offer sweet views of the city.

Nice bathroom downstairs. Very cool building, with interesting Cali artifacts and artwork. It’s surprising how nice it is, compared to Oakland. Different tax base, I guess. Security is quick and easy.

I had business in the building, the agency I was working with gave me great directions, validated my parking, answered all my questions and made the experience fun.
on the 19^th Floor there is a great exhibit of sf worlds fair photography
way to go SF Federal Building!

I thought going to the IRS office in person would be better than talking to the folks on the phone. Nope. Same quality of «help» only I got an agent literally laughing at me and talking to himself at the same time. Yay.
The conversation went sort of like this:
Me: «My mail delivery hasn’t been very good; I want to see if I’ve been sent any notices recently.»
Agent: «What’s your question?»
Me: «Have I been sent any notices recently?»
(Agent checks computer) «You don’t owe any money»
Me: «Yes, but have I been sent any notices?»
Agent: «Come back when you have a question.»
At least I didn’t have to wait in line too long. And the security guards were nice.

came in for the dreaded federal jury duty selection. at least they had wi-​fi.

It’s too bad ya got to deal with ex Nazi Gestopo agents to get into OUR building.

Having received a bogus parking ticket in the Presidio, I made my first trip to the Federal Building yesterday to contest my ticket. The building has entrances on both Golden Gate and Turk. I highly recommend choosing Turk as it receives less foot traffic and is closer to available parking. If you get dropped off outside the building, as I did, beware of the over zealous security guards. The ones I encountered were unable to differentiate between a pregnant woman there to fight a parking ticket and a potential car bombing terrorist. Again, the Turk side seems to be the least obnoxious.
Once inside, you’ll have to pass through an airport style security screening. They require you to empty your pockets, remove your metals and your shoes. The guard I spoke with couldn’t assure me that the metal detector was safe for a pregnant woman, so I opted to be wanded. Be advised the queue can be fairly long and there is only one station for each street entrance, so allow for extra time.
Once I cleared security, I headed up to the 16^th floor to the «Petty Offense Calendar» courtroom. If you, too, are headed to the federal building for said court, know that about 20 people are scheduled to appear at one time. Additionally, they are called individually by the chronological sign in order, so it pays to arrive early. The exception is that fix-​it tickets are called first (including permit parking issues — yay!) There is no judge for these proceedings. You simply talk to a prosecutor and see if you can reach a mutually agreeable outcome. If you don’t, you get to return for an «on the record» court appearance in front of a judge. Yikes!
In my case, the ticket was dismissed. Rebecca O. — one, Federal Park Police — zero.

If I told you, I’d have to kill you.

All a needed was a measly 12.00 money order… can’t believe what i just went through…
This place is a maze to get to, especially being a civilian just walking in. First I have to go through security, then I have to get in a elevator, down the basement, go through some «fridge» looking doors, turn right, turn left, and wa la! Finally got there… Ahhhh, I was actually very frustrated having gone through this maze just to get a money order… But ummm… I guess it’s my fault, being last minute and all… *sigh*

Fuck the anal ass security guard in here that that checks ID’s. It’s not all of ‘em just this one that sounds like Foghorn Leghorn and takes his job WAY to seriously. I was going to pick up my Apple certificate that I earned at school from the post office located in the basement. I showed my ID to the guy and he says I can’t go in, turns out my ID had expired THREE FUCKING DAYS previous to when I was trying to get my certificate. I ask the guy if he can just give me break this one time and he starts slamming his hands on his little desk saying «you’ve GOT ta having proper identification son, it’s the law of the land,» by now I was pretty much in disbelief that someone could be this much of a douchebag, but I guess if I was gonna find a true blue Bush supporting prick anywhere in this town it would have to be at the federal building.

A fun place to work… if you have the balls!

love, love, LOVE the new front yard landscaping!
That grass sure does know how to billow in the wind.
Now it’s time for a bigger flag pole.

This is where you can see tons of optimists on April 15^th.
They still believe that they can file their taxes that day, and talk to an IRS service person and finish up when they are picking up their forms for the first time on April 15^th.
Have a picture ID.
Go through security.
Sometimes asked to take your shoes OFF.
Ninth Circuit Federal Court.
Ugly building named in honor of a «BURTON».
Never had time to try the cafeteria because the building is just a depressing steroidal Barry’s investigative clubhouse.

I am an attorney who litigates a lot in that building. So most of the time I hit what I call the «buffeteria» out of necessity [no time to leave the building].
As courthouse eateries go I rank it pretty high on the list. They have a wide selection of food [hot meals to wrapped sandwiches] and the full range of beverages.
I especially like that they have plenty of seating. No one gets pissed off if I take an entire table for myself so to spread out paperwork.
Prices are mid-​range for a «full meal» meaning about $ 10 for a hot meal, beverage and dessert. That’s not bad for the City.
The building from the outside looks like something in an Eastern Bloc city, but inside the café [or whatever you want to call it] it’s quite nice. The colors are matched, lighting is decent looking and things are clean. In other words, the restaurant does not look institutional. Clearly, they put some thought into making the restaurant a comfortable place to «escape.»
The only downside for me is that I often see opposing counsel and judges in the same area where I am eating. We all exchange quick glances at each other, sizing up what the other is doing, etc. I would prefer more privacy. To deal with that we sometimes sit on opposite ends of the restaurant, which is quite large.
Sidenote: it’s a little disconcerting to see a Judge I am appearing in front of to also be behind me in the lunch line. Oh no, I think, the Judge can see me ordering a big ass piece of carrot cake. Oh well.

This is the ugliest federal building in the US (if you’ve been to other states, you’d know what I mean). I briefly worked here a long time ago (briefly as in blink and you’d miss me. I crawled out of there the first chance I got) and I always remembered there was this smell in the cafeteria (not a pleasant smell).
Food is ok. I wouldn’t eat here religiously.