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Project Description

Harvey Milk Plaza, located at the historic intersection of Castro and Market streets in the heart of San Francisco, is an important landmark to the neighborhood. The renovated Harvey Milk Plaza project is designed commemorate Harvey Milk and the legacy he inspired. Equal parts celebration and call to action, it is here that visitors are introduced to the human rights leader, learn about his story, his impact, and leave inspired to drive change in their own communities. The new plaza will honor Harvey Milk and the LGBTQ+ community, improve universal access throughout the site, create a memorable public space, enhance safety and security, and serve as a new, iconic gateway to the Castro District.

Improvements to this landmark space will include protection of the iconic historical features of the plaza and include the following improvements:

• Regrade, repave, and re-landscape the current Harvey Milk Plaza
• Add a canopy over the Castro/Market Muni station entry
• Improve Muni station entry stairs,
• Expand the station concourse to add a gallery with display fixtures and artwork

• Sculptural landscape elements integrated into the plaza landscape and hardscape

   

The project paving and grading improves disability accessibility, and enhances public safety and security with lighting, streetscape, and Muni station entry improvements.

Elements throughout the plaza design include:

The Pedestal (Action):

At the east end of the plaza, the Pedestal serves as a narrative metaphor: traditionally, one might find atop a pedestal a statue of a historic figure cast in bronze, but at the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza, the community itself is being lifted up and celebrated. It highlights the history of gathering and collective action that has occurred at the intersection and provides a focal point for large gatherings in the future.

The Beacon (Visibility):

A symbol of Hope and progress, the Beacon acts as a digital monument that can be used to display visuals that tell the story not only of Harvey Milk, but also of the Castro’s history, of queer culture, and of the victories and ongoing struggles of the movement.

The Grove (Hope):

The Grove builds on community support for a green space on the western edge of the site. With its diverse collection of 11 trees representing the months Milk spent in office as San Francisco Supervisor, the Grove embodies Milk’s informal and eclectic personality and his emphasis on hope.

The Gallery (Voices of the Community):

This indoor space, partially inside Castro Muni Station, will provide flexible gallery space for art and exhibits that reflect the current conversation and priorities of the community around issues of representation and social justice.

Muni Canopy (Access):

The canopy over the upgraded stairs and escalator serves a functional purpose, and its form is a subtle nod to the shape of Harvey’s famous bullhorn. Art opportunities such as tinted glass give the canopy more character while keeping it low and transparent to not obstruct the historic Bank of America building.

Central Terrace (Contemplation):

In addition to the expanded open plaza on the corner, the design creates a secondary gathering place at the base of the existing rainbow flag and the new beacon.