CASTRO STREETSCAPE PROJECT GROUNDBREAKING CELEBRATION 

Crosswalk design unveiled for historic corridor

San Francisco, CA –Supervisor Scott Wiener, City department representatives and community and business leaders today celebrated the groundbreaking for the Castro Streetscape project. 

The celebratory event was held at Jane Warner Plaza at Castro and Market streets.

The Castro Street improvement project will stretch from Market Street to 19th Street and include wider sidewalks for the safety and comfort of pedestrians, new street trees and landscaping, improved intersections, pedestrian-scale street lighting, bike parking, the renovation of the Jane Warner Plaza, new roadway paving and other amenities.

“The Castro Streetscape project will make one of our most popular and celebrated neighborhoods more livable and welcoming for residents and visitors,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.

Andrea Aiello, executive director of the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefits District, which has agreed to fund four decorative crosswalks on Castro Street to enhance the streetscape project, unveiled the final design– modern rainbow stripes that will adorn the pavement at 18th and Castro Streets. About 4,500 people participated in a survey to help pick the preferred sidewalk design.

"This streetscape project will be transformational for Castro Street and for the neighborhood," said Supervisor Scott Wiener, who played a key role in obtaining the funding for the project. "Castro Street is one of the busiest pedestrian corridors in the city and at the heart of both our neighborhood and the LGBT community. Wider sidewalks and an improved Jane Warner Plaza, which will allow for more street life and neighborhood interactions, will make a great and historic street even better.”

Construction is expected to be completed by October 2014. The $4.5 million streetscape improvements are being funded with proceeds from the $248 million Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond, which City voters approved in 2011. The joint project involves the Planning Department, Public Works and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Upgrades to Muni infrastructure and the water main also will be done at the same time. And the project will include the installation of sidewalk plaques along the Rainbow Honor Walk showcasing heroes of the LGBT community.

“We need to give a big thanks to the voters, who provided the necessary funding for the makeover, and to our community partners, who helped pay for some of the enhancements and who worked with the City on crafting this plan to create an even more dynamic neighborhood,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru.

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.