Cops Increase Patrols of Bicycle Scofflaws

          Walking along Church Street at 14th this afternoon, I watched a SFPD officer quickly do a U-turn and issue a citation to a cyclist that had unsafely used the crosswalk to cross Church Street; causing several pedestrians to dodge and scatter.
          It is encouraging, as one who is a daily bicyclist, pedestrian, and car operator in the city, to see our SFPD officers begin to apply the same rules to cyclists, as they do to motorists.  As a driver and pedestrian, i continually watch as bicyclists brazenly ignore not only stop signs, but red lights.  As a rush hour cyclist along Valencia Street, I witness countless numbers of fellow cyclists run red lights, use the crosswalk without dismounting, and perform 'right on red' with no regard for pedestrians with the right of way.  This flagrant  disrespect for not only others, but the law, put pedestrians in harms way.  A roughly 150 - 200 lb. bicycle (operator included) traveling at 10 miles an hour could inflict notable injury on a child or elder pedestrian.
          The cycling lobby has continually fought Mr. Anderson's lawsuit (and the resulting injunction) to lobby for safer streets for all modes of conveyance.  Newly striped dedicated bike lanes are popping up all over the city, making San Francisco again the leader in progressive ideals.
          It seems to me that since we have gotten the policy change we've worked so hard to get, it's time to do our part.  Obey the law, be engaged in your surroundings (cell phones, headphones) and please, start stopping at traffic signals.
          Who knows, maybe a kind driver will surprise you and wave you through a 4-way stop, simply because you selflessly made the attempt to slowly approach and assess the intersection responsibly.
          No one mode of transportation is better than any other, we are all equal at an intersection.

Final Renderings of 2001 Market Revealed

San Francisco - via SFCurbed - BAR Architects partnering with Prado Group has featured a rendering of the newest mixed-use development at 2001 Market Street.  Until now, the project has been depicted in simpler renderings, but the newest images give a whole different look at the project. 

     BAR notes the building's "emphasis on verticality and 25-30 foot modules," which "allows the building to continue the residential feel of the Castro neighborhood."  According to the architect's site, the project could begin construction as early as late 2010, with the first-floor tenant, Whole Foods, opening in early 2012 and the 80 condos coming on line by mid 2012.

     Although the building makes adequate use of the footprint it was given, the aesthetic street view of this structure far from "blends in" to the nearby structures along this segment of Market Street.  Local residents welcome the introduction of Whole Foods to the neighborhood, however, with the neighborhood lobbying for a new Trader Joe's at Market and Noe, it will be interesting to see how these three specialty grocers will exist together in this tightly-knit neighborhood.

     The Safeway, located directly across the street from the pending Whole Foods, will definitely take notice as one of its biggest competitors in San Francisco faces off with them.  Updates will be forthcoming with the revitalization of many selected properties along the Market Street corridor, including 2299 Market, 1844 Market, and the embattled 1960 Market.
     With the city spurning the development of several visual "behemoths" along Market Street, will 2001 Market suffer the same fate?  Only time will tell.

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.