For Immediate Release:

February 1, 2006

Contact: 

FRANK LEE, DPW Public Affairs,Tel: (415) 437-7018

SHIH-WEI LU, DPW Public Affairs, Tel; (415) 554-6930

***PRESS RELEASE***

WAVERLY PLACE IS BORN AGAIN!

Street Improvement Project Completed

(San Francisco)  Unlike the street’s first rebirth after the devastating 1906 Earthquake, this latest incarnation of Waverly Place was the result of years of planning and partnership between city agencies and the Chinatown community.

The Department of Public Works (DPW), the lead agency for the City, coordinated the 18-months construction project that, besides renovating the 100-year old street and infrastructure, beautified Waverly Place.  Overhead utility wires were moved underground.  Old wood utility poles gave way to new ornamental streetlights.  New sidewalk treatments were added to improve safety and the pedestrian experience.  And, an attractive concrete street surface replaced the old ordinary asphalt top.

“Today’s Waverly Place is the result of two rebirths,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom.  “The first was born out of necessity caused by a great earthquake a century ago and resulted in these beautiful, colorful buildings with ornate balconies and rooftops that line the street.  The second was born out of community vision and cooperation to enhance the quality of life for Chinatown residents.  The result is a beautiful new street that will be a great addition for the community and will attract tourists from around the world.”

“The 1906 Earthquake destroyed San Francisco and all of Chinatown, when Chinatown was just Sacramento Street and a few small streets next to it.  After the Earthquake, several dozens Chinese Family Associations made Waverly Place their homes and are still here today,” recounted City Administrator Ed Lee.  “Waverly Place is also historically significant for not only Chinatown, but for the entire city of San Francisco.  The very first US Post Office was located on Waverly and Clay Street, where Uncle’s Café is currently.”

Work to beautify Chinatown’s alleyways began in 1980 when the Chinatown Alleyway Improvement Association (CAIA), with staff support from the Chinatown Community Development Center (Chinatown CDC), sought help to improve the narrow streets in their neighborhood.  Seeking to improve the quality of life of residents, who frequently use the alleys as pedestrian thoroughfares, Chinatown CDC conducted a study, “Chinatown Alleyways: Their Potential, Their Future”, which called for regular maintenance and physical improvements to the alleyways.  Ross and Hang Ah alleys were among the first alleys to be renovated.  Then, in 1994, Chinatown CDC embarked on a more thorough study of the 31 alleys in Chinatown and created the Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan, which was adopted by DPW in 1998.  Since then, several streets—Commercial Street, Ross Alley, Cordelia Street, and John Street—have been upgraded and enhanced.  Jack Kerouac Alley, Spofford Street, Beckett Street, and Wentworth Street are in the pipeline to be renovated next.

“What you see today is the result of true commitment and perseverance.  We are grateful to partner with city agencies, the community, and the corporate sector to enhance the quality of life of Chinatown residents,” said Cathie Lam, a community organizer for Chinatown CDC.  “We look forward to many more success in the years to come.”

Ed Jew, President of the Waverly Place Merchant Association, announced that, to help ensure the street stays sparkling clean, his Association has adopted Waverly Place.  “We are happy that the project was finished in time for Chinese New Year.  And, just like ‘new’ in New Year, our Association will begin educating the public, other merchants and property owners to do their part in keeping Waverly Place looking clean and new,” said Mr. Jew.  “The public is encouraged to report excessive garbage or graffiti to 28-CLEAN, which is DPW’s service line.  The community could also call the Waverly Place Merchant Association for advice on how to keep their property, Chinatown and San Francisco clean.”

Waverly Place is a recommended destination stop for tourists and is known as “the street with painted balconies”.  The street is also popular for movie production companies, as well.  As recent as last November, “The Pursuit of Happyness”, an upcoming film starring Will Smith, used Waverly Place as a backdrop for scenes.

In Chinese, Waverly Place is known as “Tien Hau Mui Gai” , named after the Tien Hau Temple at 125 Waverly Place.  The Chinese names of Chinatown streets often reflect the primary purpose and history of the street.

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