Celebration to Mark Completion of New Taraval Streetscape

For immediate release: July 30, 2015

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

CELEBRATION TO MARK COMPLETION OF NEW TARAVAL STREETSCAPE

San Francisco, CA – The community is invited to join District 4 Supervisor Katy Tang, San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and neighborhood leaders for the Taraval streetscape ribbon-cutting celebration.

When: Friday, July 31, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.

Where: 48th Avenue and Taraval Street (at the new traffic circle)

What: Community celebration and ribbon-cutting

The Taraval Streetscape Improvements Project area runs along Taraval Street from 46th Avenue to 48th Avenue. The changes aim to beautify the Outer Sunset commercial corridor, make it safer for pedestrians and more environmentally sound.

“The investment in Taraval Street highlights the corridor as a gateway to Ocean Beach, and creates a vibrant area for residents and visitors to gather,” said Supervisor Katy Tang. “We are thrilled to see improvements made to this stretch of Taraval Street, and we hope that the positive changes will attract more neighborhood-serving businesses to the area.”

The project includes visible, decorative crosswalks at 46th, 47th, and 48th avenues, a public seating area at the northwest corner of 46th Avenue, new landscaped bulb-outs to shorten the crossing distance at intersections and newly planted palm trees. The City installed new sand-colored sidewalks, as a nod to the beach nearby. In addition, the parking strip was outfitted with pervious pavers that allow rain water to percolate into the aquifer instead of the sewer.

San Francisco Public Works’ landscape architects designed the streetscape with turquoise-colored slab boulders for seating, granite boulders, and Mexican Fan Palms to reinforce the ocean-side neighborhood’s relationship to the Pacific. The showpiece of the improvements is a mosaic gateway installed in the center 

of the new traffic circle at 48th and Taraval. The art piece, featuring three concrete sails, was created by Colette Crutcher, a Bay Area artist known for her mosaic staircases. The piece utilizes oceanic themes, zeroing in on small details and enlarging them to open the viewer’s eyes to new perspectives on the watery world.

“Excitement around the Taraval project underscores the dedication and love that Sunset residents and merchants have for the neighborhood,” said Carmen Chu, the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, and former District 4 supervisor. “It's an example of how we can accomplish great things when we work together. I especially want to thank the community members who took the time to participate. I applaud Supervisor Katy Tang and her staff for having the vision and dedication to see this project through.”

Added Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, “This voter-funded project represents the shared vision of the community and City departments, coming together to create this wonderful new neighborhood streetscape. The street is now safer for people on foot and more welcoming and beautiful with the added landscaping and art.”

The project initially was spearheaded by Chu, and later by Tang, her successor as district representative. The $1.2 million neighborhood improvement project was funded through the voter-approved 2011 Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond.

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right of way; and educates our communities.