STORIES
Going Deep with Deep Cleaning - This month, we relaunched the CleanCorridorsSF pilot program – an initiative to deep clean busy neighborhood commercial and mixed-use districts throughout the City. Started in February, the Public Works program provides litter removal, steam cleaning, graffiti abatement, trash pickup and public education. We started out strong – aiming our attention on a different corridor one day every week – but had to shut down the operation a month later due to the pandemic and a need to redeploy our resources. The good news is that the operation started up again this month with a deep clean around Hallidie Plaza and Union Square to usher in the holiday shopping season. We plan to go to a different supervisorial district every Thursday with a focus on neighborhood corridors where a lot of businesses are operating outside, under the City’s Shared Spaces initiative, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Among the upcoming CleanCorridorsSF streets on the working list are Chestnut Street in the Marina; Grant Avenue in North Beach; Haight Street in the Haight-Ashbury; Clement Street in the Richmond; Geneva Avenue in Crocker Amazon; Folsom Street in the South of Market; Valencia Street in the Mission; Hayes Street in Hayes Valley; Leland Avenue in Visitacion Valley; 24th Street in the Mission; Ocean Avenue in the Ingleside; Judah Street in the Sunset; Fillmore Street in the Western Addition; and Mission Street in the Excelsior. In addition to the extra cleaning, our staff also will reach out to merchants to talk to them about steps they can take on an ongoing basis to help keep their neighborhoods looking good. As long as we have the staffing and community support, we hope to make this a regular part of our operations.
Revitalizing Fisherman’s Wharf - Work on Phase 2 of the Jefferson Streetscape Improvements Project will wrap up soon, bringing a fresh look and added safety features for all who travel through the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf. The project, which runs along Jefferson Street from Jones to Powell streets, includes the installation of narrowed geometrically patterned streets, widened sidewalks, pedestrian-scaled lights, bike parking, landscaping, trees and public seating. Want to learn more about the project? Watch the newest installment of Snapshots Live, Public Works’ blossoming webinar series, to get an insider’s take on this transformative project. You’ll hear from the Public Works project team: Project Manager Denny Phan, Construction Manager Ben Volberding, Landscape Architect Tony Esterbrooks, Landscape Architectural Associate Julie An and Public Information Officer Coma Te, as well as Randall Scott, Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. Jefferson Street is considered the “main street” of Fisherman’s Wharf, a global destination for both locals and tourists. Originally a one-way street with narrow sidewalks and inadequate lighting, Jefferson Street was redesigned as a universally accessible pedestrian corridor, converting a one-way street to a two-way to help promote multimodal sharing as part of the Fisherman’s Wharf Public Realm Plan. Due to funding constraints, the project was broken up into two phases. Construction of the first phase, two blocks from Hyde Street to Jones Street, was completed in June 2013. Construction of Phase 2 began in October 2019.
Fantastic Folsom - Streetscape Improvements Vitalize Corridor - The Transbay Folsom Streetscape Project met a major milestone this month, with the placement of asphalt along the roadway to signal that construction is nearly complete. The project provides public right-of-way improvements on Folsom Street between Second and Spear streets. The upgrades include wide, tree-lined sidewalks; utility improvements; bulb-outs to shorten pedestrian crossings at key intersections; new ADA-compliant curb ramps; four new Muni transit boarding islands; attractive rain gardens to help manage stormwater; separated bike lanes; traffic-calming elements; new traffic signals, light fixtures, and street furniture; and street repaving. The changes advance a key portion of the Transbay Redevelopment Project Area Streetscape & Open Space Concept Plan, approved in 2006. With major construction complete, some work still remains, such as replacing old traffic signals with new ones and completing rain gardens and other minor landscape improvements. Public Works provided design oversight and construction management service on the project, which aims to transform the stretch of Folsom into an inviting corridor that will connect residents of the emerging Transbay area with the adjacent Rincon Hill neighborhood.
A Clean Sweep - Every day of the year in San Francisco, Public Works’
mechanical sweepers travel the curb lanes scooping up tons of leaves and litter – performing a critical operation that results in benefits beyond cleaner streets. The fleet of 63 sweeper trucks, operated by a team of 57 drivers, traverse 27 different routes across a majority of the City on a daily, weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the
corridor. For emergencies, our street cleaning bureau keeps a sweeper available around the clock. Despite the monumental effort and the wide variety of benefits it provides, street sweeping remains one of the most misunderstood and overlooked aspects of our work. To the average San Franciscan, mechanical street sweepers may represent little more than the inconvenience of having to move their car on street cleaning days or the unwelcome $83 fine stuck under their windshield wiper. But what, exactly, are people getting in return for this inconvenience? A lot! Our mechanical sweeper fleet removes 25,000 tons of leaves and litter from the City’s streets every year. Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefits, mechanical street sweeping helps prevent localized flooding by keeping the storm drains clear of debris; keeps trash out of the Bay and Pacific Ocean by removing materials from the street before they reach the waterways; and reduces the strain on San Francisco’s combined sewer and stormwater treatment systems by removing litter and leaves before they enter the system. The operation is a workhorse of the Public Works street cleaning portfolio – to keep it working effectively and optimally, please remember to move your car on street cleaning days so the sweeper trucks can access the curb lanes.
On the Cutting Edge of Making San Francisco More Welcoming - The eastern edge of Golden Gate Park along Stanyan Street is a true crossroads in San Francisco. Its central location and proximity to many popular attractions make it a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike and a key corridor for commuters, cyclists and park-goers. In recognition of the many important roles this area plays, Public Works and the Recreation and Park Department set out to make a wide variety of improvements to the area in what would become known as the Stanyan Edge Project. It was park neighbors who really got the ball rolling. This project was inspired by a group of local Haight-Ashbury residents who compiled a list of improvements they wanted to see made to the eastern edge Golden Gate Park. They sent their wish list to Rec and Park, which then decided to incorporate the ideas into the voter-approved Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Parks Bond Program. With a construction budget of approximately $4 million, the Stanyan Edge Project includes different improvement zones along the park’s eastern boundary, from Waller Street to John F. Kennedy Drive. The focus aimed to improve the busy park plaza entrance at Stanyan near Haight Street. Renovations to the plaza were driven by a desire to ease the pedestrian flow in and out of the park, improve sightlines from Haight Street into the park toward Alvord Lake and activate the area with positive park-related activities. To do this, the plaza entryway was widened and simplified, and a large planter box and railings were removed from the area to open up the space. Another important safety enhancement was the installation of a sidewalk along the western side of Stanyan between Haight Street and John F. Kennedy Drive, where there was previously only a well-worn dirt path. Additionally, an outdated restroom building was retrofitted and converted into a kiosk now occupied by Flywheel Coffee. Nearby bocce courts and an outdoor seating area bring new life to this space, creating a welcoming urban environment. Judging by the number of people out enjoying the area on a recent afternoon, the goal already has been achieved. To round things out, the project included landscape improvements, including the clearing of overgrown brush and planting of native, drought-resistant plants in the oak woodlands area south of Lake Alvord. The Public Works landscape architecture team led the design process. Our structural, electrical and mechanical engineers also took part. The project is all but complete. The only work remaining is sod installation in various areas along the park’s eastern edge. The project comes as Golden Gate Park marks its 150th anniversary. Whether you’ll be heading to the park this winter or would rather wait until things warm up in springtime, we’re excited for you to experience this revitalized portion of San Francisco’s most celebrated parks.
Rain in the Forecast? Grab a Broom! - Wet weather briefly moved into San Francisco this month, kicking off the rainy season and giving us the chance to remind residents and business owners to sweep up leaves and litter from the sidewalk to keep them from clogging catch basins. That simple act can help protect homes and businesses from localized flooding. The City maintains 25,000 catch basins, also known as storm drains. When they get blocked by leaves and debris, rainwater runoff can build up and flood nearby streets and properties in low-lying areas. As a reminder, leaves should be placed in the green compost bins, and litter placed in the appropriate blue or black bins – not swept into the street. Crews from Public Works and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission are on the street to clear drains ahead of the rains; there also are two volunteer opportunities for residents who want to be more actively engaged in keeping the City rain ready: The Public Works’
Adopt a Street program provides volunteers with tools and supplies to keep their adopted block free of litter and leaves year-round. This not only helps keep neighborhoods looking good but also prevents debris from reaching the storm drains in the first place. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s
Adopt a Drain program provides participants with tools and supplies to keep storm drains free of leaves and debris. They also can name their adopted drain. In addition, Public Works provides San Franciscans with up to 10 free sandbags to help residents prepare for storms. The giveaway is intended for people whose properties are prone to flooding.
Sandbags can be retrieved Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Public Works’ Operations Yard, Marin Street/Kansas Street gate. Bring proof of San Francisco address. Face coverings must be worn at all times at the Operations Yard to help protect against the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, the public should call the City’s 3-1-1 customer service center to report clogged storm drains, flooding, downed trees and hanging tree limbs.
Making a Mark in the Bayview - Situated along San Francisco’s southeastern border, the Bayview district serves as one of the primary gateways into the City. In an effort to identify and beautify the entrances to this southeastern neighborhood, Public Works has teamed up with the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association and the design firm HOK on the Bayview Gateway Project. The project aims to revitalize the intersection of Third and Meade streets with the installation of 8-foot-tall concrete letters that spell out “BAYVIEW” and are covered in beautiful glass and ceramic mosaic. Native California wildflowers and other drought-resistant landscape features will surround them. This effort to unify and create neighborhood recognition began in 2012 when members of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association began advocating for the repurposing of this small, triangle-shaped vacant lot that at the time was owned by Caltrans. Eventually, both Public Works and HOK were brought on as partners in this effort, with HOK providing design consultation and Public Works handling the site acquisition process. Staying true to the project’s grassroots nature, the coalition convened a series of community meetings to generate ideas for this project and determine themes that articulate the neighborhood’s expressions of identity and character, ecology and seasonality, and historical context and culture. With the site acquired and design finalized, Bayview Gateway is coming to life this winter. The construction process began in late November and is being led by teams from Public Works’ landscape architecture and project management bureaus. However, there are still plenty of opportunities that remain for those who want to make their mark on this new Bayview landmark. Bayview residents are encouraged to donate any glassware or ceramics they’d like to see as part of the mosaic that will adorn the BAYVIEW sign. There are five drop-off sites throughout the Bayview that will be accepting donations through December 5: Bayview Opera House at 4705 Third St., Café Envy at 1701 Yosemite Ave., Public Glass at 1750 Armstrong Ave., St. Paul of the Shipwreck at 1122 Jamestown Ave. and Sportsman Barber Shop at 6404 Third St. Interested community members also are welcome to attend mosaic workshops held by Public Glass, a Bayview-based arts organization specializing in glasswork, on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will join the Public Glass team to learn how to make glass and ceramic mosaics and help create samples for the final project design. To ensure everyone’s safety to protect against COVID-19, social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced at these workshops, all workstations will be adequately spaced and face masks will be mandatory for all attendees and Public Glass staff. There also will be opportunities for the public to help plant trees and native wildflowers at the project site in the latter half of December. More details on this will become available in the coming weeks.
A Clean Election (Party) - There are some big events that take place on San Francisco streets that are organized well in advance – among them the Pride Parade, the Chinese New Year Parade and Bay to Breakers – that give us plenty of time to prepare work plans and schedule staff to handle the extra cleanup work. Then there are the unscheduled large gatherings triggered by a special event. One of those spur-of-the-moment happenings took place on Nov. 7 when major news organizations declared that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden won the presidential election. That news sparked impromptu street celebrations in San Francisco, a heavily Democratic city. The largest gathering was in the Castro, where thousands of celebrants converged. Castro Street between Market and 18th streets became a festive dance party. Public Works had crews on the ground during and after the event to tidy up. Victor Lopez, a street cleaner with our Corridors Program regularly assigned to the Castro, didn’t miss a beat as he weaved through the crowd sweeping up water bottles, confetti and unfurled rolls of toilet paper used as makeshift streamers.
Other co-workers joined him as the celebration continued and expanded down the street. Once things quieted down and the street reopened, more crews arrived with mechanical sweepers and flusher trucks. Similar scenes played out in spots downtown. And the thing is, the spontaneous nature of the events didn’t phase us. Our street cleaning team saw a need and jumped into action.
