Better Market Street Construction & Car-Free Market Street Enforcement
The Better Market Street project is readying to break ground, even as the project has shifted some since its initial iteration in 2019: certain plans have been scaled back due to budget constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to mitigate construction in front of businesses, and the start of car-free Market Street in 2020.
The SFMTA focus has now shifted to, as the SF Examiner notes, "focus on essential repairs to crumbling infrastructure along the corridor," such as repaving rather than entirely replacing sidewalks. Resources will also be devoted to enforcement of current rules, including reduced speed limits, pedestrian safety upgrades, such as signal re-timing, and repainting of crosswalks.
The first phase of construction remains Market Street between 5th and 8th streets.
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Following this, SFMTA announced enforcement of car-free Market Street resumed March 29. The month-long reinforcement includes, "PCOs and police officers... monitor[ing] the street at various locations. PCOs will wave on vehicles attempting to turn onto Market Street within the restricted area." Violators received a warning during the first week of reinforcement, and a citation thereafter.
For more information contact the BMS Project team:
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Downtown Congestion Pricing Study Seeks Community Input
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is conducting a study on the impact of congestion pricing for downtown, which includes portions of the District. The study is looking at the impact of cars paying a fee to cross certain boundaries during rush hour and is currently seeking community input; please visit the SFCTA site for more information and the opportunity to request a virtual presentation. General questions and comments can be sent to congestion-pricing@sfcta.org.
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F-Line To Return to Market Street
The Market Street Railway announced riders will be able to hop aboard the F-line and ride Castro to Fisherman's Wharf beginning in May. Also announced, the Powell-Hyde cable car will resume service as well. The Railway is also currently working with SFMTA to find a way to keep service running during the first phase of Better Market Street Construction; as the F-line is posed to run from Fisherman's Wharf and turn around at Powell as of September.
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Bart Substation Construction Begins This Spring
At the corner of Market and Grove, and along Market Street near 8th Street, BART will commence upgrading Civic Center Station's power to allow for more trains through the City and Transbay Tube. The work will require street level access and a construction staging area in from of the old Burger King location and along Market Street between the Hotel Whitcomb and Chase Bank. Fencing on Market at Grove is slated to go up this month and along Market Street adjacent to the Whitcomb, this summer; work will last approximately one year.
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Mid Market Survey - We Want to Hear from You!
As we enter a new phase of the COVID pandemic, and vaccines rollout further and the state tier system is phased out, we want to hear from District stakeholders.
Please fill out our short survey so we can find out what your needs are in terms of support and recovery assistance.
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MMBA Business Zoom Series
The Mid Market Business Association is hosting a Zoom series for area businesses; the first one, "Building a Safe Mid Market," occurs on April 19, other upcoming topics include "Building Strong Businesses" (May 10) and "Building a Great Neighborhood" (June 7). Sign up for the first of the series here; free.
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Useful Business Resource Links from OEWD
For businesses impacted by COVID, the Office of Economic Workforce Development remains a great hub of information; from tax relief to informational webinars to the reopening process -- see their site for a full list of resources.
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Mission Street Development Makes Progress
While construction is underway at 1064-1068 Mission St., there are some delays in setting the factory-built housing modules, which is now slated to begin in late April. Prior to this, mobile cranes will be set up on site and will remain there for about eight weeks. Utility work will take place along Jessie Street throughout the month of April.
When completed, 1064-1068 Mission St., a co-development by Mercy Housing and Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, will feature 256 rental
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housing units for formerly homeless seniors and adults and provide service centers and program spaces for its residents. |
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Sterling Building Resolution Found For Tenants
There's been a solution found for the residents of the Sterling Building (1049 Market St.) artist live-work units, according to Socketsite. The new developments for the parcel include 15 SRO units, with current tenants having the first rights. The second floor will be occupied by The Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC); while other floors of the six-floor building will be leased for office space and ground floor retail.
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5M Project Tower Tops Out and Other Tower Progresses
Adjacent to the District, the 5M Project's first two towers, featuring office space and residential units, are beginning to top out. The office building at 415 Natoma St. has topped out as of the end of February; and that building, along with the residential tower at 434 Minna St. (Mission Street side in image), are slated for completion by the end of the year.
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A.C.T. Announces Return of Indoor Performances
A.C.T. has released their 2022 season lineup, including Fefu and Her Friends at the Strand Theater. They also announced all performances of their 2022 season would be in-person; A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon told KQED, "the audience makes the art form." A.C.T. is currently streaming virtual performances of the A.C.T. Out Loud series, with a new play every week.
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Kapwa Gardens Opens
A Kultivate Labs project, the new pop-up community garden space in the parking lot at 967 Mission St. (at 6th Street), Kapwa Gardens, opened to the public on April 14. Featuring art, community gathering space, seating, and events; the gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
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District Visual Arts Organizations: Annual Events & Openings
Root Division's annual TASTE event is taking place April 22. They note, "We're reinventing this RD favorite as a hybrid virtual event that brings tasting, sipping, and a variety of sensory experiences into your home alongside the Spell of the Senses exhibition in the gallery."
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"Light & Dark," artwork and sculptures by Tom Kirk. Admission is free; Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am-5pm. |
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CBD Quarterly Clean & Safe Services Stats |
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Field Crews Continue to Make a Difference
MMCBD's Clean Team continues to address the District's crucial sanitation needs. The Team is now distributing pet waste bags to help prevent animal feces on sidewalks. Since this initiative started in November, the amount of uncontained feces in certain District hot spots has dropped by 80%. If you'd like to support their important work, please use the donate button and indicate how you would like your donation used; or contact us at: info@midmarketcbd.org.
The Team also loves thank you notes and emails!
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Field Crew Numbers: January - March, 2021 |
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PSA: Secure Your Property |
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The colorful and vibrant KAPWA Gardens (967 Mission St. at 6th Street); now open!
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