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Portsmouth Square Improvement Project
Redesigning Chinatown’s Historic Public Plaza
Scope of Work
Following a robust community engagement and concept phase, the redesign of Portsmouth Square will include a complete renovation of the square, including:
- Waterproofing of garage roof
- Adjacent Streetscape
- New plantings, paving, lighting and furnishings
- New community clubhouse with large assembly area, bathroom and smaller meeting rooms
- New Children’s Play Areas
- Note – existing bathroom to remain
Funding
Work to date has been funded through developer impact fees. All future work is slated to be funded through the 2020 Parks Bond.
Construction cost is $50,000,000
Project Timeline
Event | Timeline |
---|---|
Planning - Creation of the Existing Conditions and Feasibility Report | January to December 2014 |
Design - RFP Selection of Design Team and Concept Design | October 2015 to March 2016 |
Design Phase 1 - Concept Design | February 2017 to early 2018 |
Design Phase 2 - Schematic Design | Fall 2019 |
Updates
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Portsmouth Square Project Update 3/31!
We are excited to move towards our next phase for the Portsmouth Square improvement project! Read on... -
Workshop #4 Summary
Thanks again to everyone who came out to our fourth community workshop Read on... -
Workshop #3 Summary
Thanks again to everyone who came out to our third community workshop Read on... -
Workshop #5 Summary
Thanks to everyone who came out to our fifth and final community workshop Read on...
Background
Portsmouth Square is located in the Chinatown neighborhood at 745 Kearny Street, between Clay Street and Washington Street, and is one of San Francisco’s most significant historic, cultural, and civic spaces. Originally a civic plaza for the Yerba Buena settlement, the square was renamed after the USS Portsmouth in 1846. Portsmouth Square has served as a backdrop to some of the most important moments in city and state history:
- Countless festivals, parades, and other affirmations of civic pride
- The rise and fall of the Gold Rush
- The site of the first City Hall and California’s first public school
- A staging ground and place of refuge after the 1906 earthquake
Terraced Site
The terraced site includes:
- Clubhouse
- A New Restroom Building
- Pedestrian Bridge Extending over Kearny Street
- Several Hardscape Plazas
- Two Children’s Play Areas
- Underground Parking Structure
- Various Historical Markers
Project Goals
The guiding principles for Portsmouth Square Improvement Project:
- Create flexible spaces that can accommodate daily recreation activities as well as events
- Create spaces that are comfortable, safe, and welcoming for all age groups and abilities
- The project site shall be viewed in the context of the overall Chinatown Neighborhood: the renovated park and streetscape should seamlessly integrate with the community context and reflect the needs of the Chinatown neighborhood
- Provide an integrated and open park that maximizes usable space, removes barriers, and gracefully connects to the surrounding neighborhood
- Provide a safe pedestrian experience
- Portsmouth Square Area Existing Conditions and Feasibility Report (PDF)
- Workshop 1 Existing Site Conditions Board (PDF)
- Workshop 1 Presentation (PDF)
- Workshop 1 Site History Poster (PDF)
- Workshop 2 Feedback Worksheets (PDF)
- Workshop 2 Framework Station Posters (PDF)
- Workshop 2 Old Photos Poster (PDF)
- Workshop 2 Presentation (PDF)
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Michael DeGregorio
Project ManagerPhone: 1-628-652-6649