For immediate release: Oct. 30, 2014 

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

WIDER SIDEWALKS, NEW LANDSCAPING ENHANCE CASTRO STREETSCAPE 

The community is invited to tonight’s ribbon-cutting celebration

San Francisco, CA – A festive gathering will be held this evening to celebrate the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Castro Streetscape project, which brings wider sidewalks, new street trees, rainbow crosswalks, fresh paving and other amenities to the historic neighborhood.

The celebration starts at 6 p.m. tonight at 18th and Castro streets. Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Wiener, state Sen. Mark Leno and neighborhood leaders will cut a ceremonial rainbow ribbon. The festive event will include music, dancing in the streets and more.

“These improvements elevate the vibrancy and safety of this important commercial corridor for Castro neighborhood residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Lee. “This investment also includes pedestrian safety elements that are a great example of how we can move closer to our Vision Zero goal of zero traffic fatalities in San Francisco by 2024.”

The Castro Street improvement project stretches from Market Street to 19th Street. Funding for the $4.5 million streetscape makeover comes from the $248 million Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond, which City voters approved in 2011.

The design allowed for the preservation of curbside parking by narrowing the traffic lanes and adds bike racks for cyclists and leaning posts for pedestrians. The wider sidewalks will accommodate Castro Street’s high volume of pedestrian activity.

“This is a great day for the Castro community, and for the City,” said Supervisor Wiener, the District 8 representative who championed the project and obtained funding for it. “These improvements make our already iconic Castro Street safer and even more beautiful than it already was. I want to thank our neighborhood merchants and residents, who have been so patient through the construction period and who have kept their eye on the big picture – that this project is a permanent and very positive improvement for our entire neighborhood.”

The joint project involves San Francisco Public Works, which managed the project, City Planning, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Public Utilities Commission, in partnership with the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District and the Castro Merchants Association.

“The improvements made on Castro Street already have brought more people out on the street. People are resting on the leaning posts while talking to friends, enjoying the outdoor cafe seating, and marveling at the rainbow crosswalks,” said Andrea Aiello, executive director of the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District.

Her organization funded the decorative, rainbow-striped crosswalks at Castro and 18th streets .

“This project should be held up as an example of how good things can come from strong partnerships among City agencies, elected officials, businesses and residents,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “The Castro redesign is one of the most ambitious streetscape improvements funded by the Streets Bond so far. And thanks to the voters of San Francisco, we had the resources to make this transformational investment.”

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.

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