Thanks to the 174 people who participated in the survey to refine the design of Buchanan Street Mall, Turk – Golden Gate block. There are clear community preferences for a big kids play structure, belt swings, bench swings, stationary bikes, balance-focused senior exercise equipment, and lots of green landscaping with pops of bright color. Please view the slide deck showing the updated schematic design, which incorporates this input. Detailed design will commence this fall, and the first block of capital improvements is scheduled to start construction in late 2022.
SF Rec and Parks is also pleased to announce our partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to build and maintain new green infrastructure on and adjacent to Buchanan Mall, in order to recharge groundwater and reduce stormwater runoff into the sewer system. Planting raingardens at the segmenting intersections of Buchanan Mall, reinforces project goals for abundant greening, beautification, and welcoming connective gateways, and will also reduce heat island effect and help to calm traffic. We’ll be learning more and working through the details of design and maintenance agreements in the coming months, but know that this partnership will bring $3,866,000 in additional funding to the Buchanan Street Mall program, which Rec and Parks is able to leverage for additional grant applications. Please see the slide deck for more information on green infrastructure, the Channel Watershed and historic Hayes Creek, and specific opportunities for The Mall.
It’s really been a great summer for the project! In addition to the financial commitment from the PUC, CA state Senator Scott Weiner proposed inclusion of Buchanan Street Mall in the 2021-22 state budget, and the Recreation and Park Department will receive $4,800,000 for renovations of Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Fulton Street. This unexpected funding will allow us to forward a second phase of renovation at the southern end of Buchanan Mall.
We had a successful site visit with state grant administrators and project partners The Trust for Public Land in July, and our proposal for a $5,800,000 grant to build the Eddy – Turk block and the first phase of the memory walk is still in contention for funding through Prop 68 Statewide Parks grant. Fingers crossed! If we receive the grant, our plan is to build both of the northern two blocks of Buchanan Mall as phase I, starting construction before the end of 2022.