San Jose and Guerrero Parklet City's Latest Gem

San Francisco - Here's the latest in San Francisco's reclaimed vehicular real estate, San Jose and Guerrero in The Mission.  Previously a one-way northbound street north of Guerrero, San Jose is now a two-way “cue street,” providing local access to residents.

        Reclaimed logs from Golden Gate Park serve as perimeters to the new plant beds, featuring native and drought tolerant plants.  These planters separate the plaza from busy Guerrero Street traffic.  These, along with reclaimed wood from trees in Golden Gate Park, create a relaxing space for recreation and contemplation.
    This plaza is quite large at 9,000 square feet.  The closure of the 28th Street crossing at Guerrero is a welcome sight for neighborhood residents who knew this as a dangerous intersection.  It also abates traffic speeding onto northbound San Jose from northbound Guerrero heading to St. Luke's Hospital, allowing for the plaza to accommodate a basketball court and generous seating.  A childrens play structure is in future plans for the popular spot.

San Francisco's First Permanent Parklet Completed

San Francisco - Originally closed for traffic safety concerns, the intersection of 17th Street and Castro has seen an almost constant metamorphosis since its closure.  In 2008, temporary Sonitubes (dense fiberboard as formwork in constructing concrete support columns) containing plant material were placed along the perimeter of the intersection, as part of a trial with neighborhood funding.
     Many supporters of the pedestrian plaza, which houses the southern terminus of the historic F streetcar line, fought for a permanent structure throughout 2009.  The neighborhood's longtime need for a common gathering place was within sight.  In late 2009, construction began on what is now seen as a model for reclaiming urban space initially set aside for automobiles.

    The Sonitubes lining the perimeter of the plaza were replaced with large, green earthenware, each with it's own level concrete pad and drainage tube.  Most of the police barracades along Castro Street have been replaced by poured-in-place concrete planters that almost totally enclose the plaza from traffic at Market and Castro Streets.

     The planters are brimming with succulents and palms of seemingly endless variety, four trees, and pea gravel as soil cover.  The ground surface of the plaza has been coated with fine grained gravel, which helps with traction in an area peppered with streetcar rails and high volumes of foot traffic.  Over a dozen stainless steel tables and chairs round out the design.
     On any given afternoon you'll find this plaza a bustling center for tourists, locals, and commuters stopping to rest.  For strolling, take-out dining, or catching some rays while people watching, the 17th and Castro parklet has provided hundreds of those in the Castro a place of their own. 

VIDEOS: San Francisco's Pavements to Parks Program is Full Steam Ahead

San Francisco - via Babelgum - The "Pavements to Parks" projects seek to temporarily reclaim unused swathes of asphalt and quickly and inexpensively turn them into new public plazas and parks.
     These spaces become urban laboratories where the City can work with the community to test the potential of the selected location to be permanently reclaimed as public open space.
     Five more of these 'green' parklets are scheduled to be designed and installed by the fall.

              Look for an interview with one the creators on BeyondSF soon.

Parklets: 22nd and Valencia

San Francisco - Wandering the city has always been part of what makes this town so special.  Tree-lined alleys and bustling corridors offer solace and commerce.     Among the newest of these environs are the new 'Parklets' being installed throughout the city, offering citizens innovative ways to take a break.  17th and Castro was first (and the most expensive) of those installed to date.   San Jose and Guerrero, Grove and Divisadero are among others. 

     Stopping by on a Saturday at noon, the 22nd and Valencia parklet was empty, although many others were photographing and 'kicking the tires' of the new structure.  It's bamboo construction felt very sturdy, while it's modular capabilities also impressed.  The xeroscaped planters were apropos, and the section incorporating a standing bar table was creative.
     One drawback was the lack of pre-existing trees on the street segment where the parklet was situated, providing inadequate shade at midday.  Friends of the Forest did plant two new trees within the parklet itself, but time will be needed before those benefits are felt.
     Merchants' reactions to the parklet were mixed.  Some felt the parklet had decreased business from their out-of-town clientele.  Escape from New York employee, Chewy, stated, "[the parklet] is probably responsible for about a 5% increase in sales."

     Will the proposed sit-lie ordinance need to be amended to accommodate these new parklets?  Will public input determine the design of more permanent structures like the one at 17th and Castro?  Time will tell. 

Muni Debuts Refurbished Buses at Potrero Facility

     By Michael Donk

San Francisco - This morning officials from SFMTA debuted two of its refurbished, stimulus-funded MUNI buses at their Potrero facility, one standard 40-foot coach and one articulated 60-foot conveyance.  These buses represent only two of the 62 Neoplan high floor diesel coaches scheduled for refurbishment under The Motor Coach Component Life Cycle Rehabilitation Project.
     With $16 million in stimulus dollars, SFMTA signed a $12.6 million contract last September with Riverside, CA-based Complete Coach Works to complete the work.
     Among the most noticeable improvements were the all-LED exterior lights and placards, an updated operator seat and console, new rubber flooring, and graffiti-resistant interior light lenses.  All new propulsion systems, brake valves, and suspensions top a long list of under-the-hood goodies.  Other items newly refurbished were the wheelchair lift, five-position door controller, and steering gear box.
     The coaches interiors seemed simply cleaned at first, but upon speaking with SFMTA Public Relations representative, Kristen Holland, and with MUNI body shop employee, Wyman, i learned how much planning went into these refurbishments.  SFMTA Executive Director and CEO, Nathaniel Ford Sr., stated, "MUNI...must be capable of serving new generations of residents and visitors who will depend on it to get where they want to go in this Transit First city."

     My eye noticed the repositioned security cameras allow for a more panoramic view, especially when the coach is at standing capacity.  Many seats, although in the old style and color theme, were replaced entirely.  Finally, the newly renamed Clipper RFID-based receivers were mounted at the front and rear doors.
     The two coaches debuted today will begin service immediately along the biodiesel bus routes (54, 37, 39, Etc.), with more routes receiving refurbished coaches as the work on each coach is completed.
     The rehabilitation project will result in 20 new hires and 16 additional jobs will be retained as a result of this rehabilitation project.