2013
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Phase 1: Jane Warner Plaza
Location:
End of 17th Street at the intersection of Castro and Market Streets
Construction:
May 10 – May 12, 2009
Opening Date:
May 13, 2009
End of Initial Trial Run:
July 11, 2009 – with four month extension pending review.
Estimated Cost (Including Labor): $20,000
Community Partners:
Public Architecture, The Castro Community Benefits District, Flora Grub Gardens, High Caliber Growing, Pacific Fiber Tube, Inc., Great Street Projects, Orphan Andy’s Restaurant, and Chevron Station Owner - Sahagun Brothers. Public Architecture, a national nonprofit organization that engages architecture firms and nonprofits to commit to design for public good through its national 1% program, provided pro-bono design services for the plaza.
Before & After:
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TOP ROW ABOVE: The wide unused swath of pavement at the foot of the Castro Street district is now a welcoming seating area. ABOVE: The F-Line trolley’s path of travel is now clearly marked through the once confusing intersection. LEFT: The 17th street roadway now serves as an expanded sidewalk area with potential for café seating.
Photos on this page courtesy Nick Perry |
Design Details:
Planted bollards, moveable tables and chairs, granite benches and a painted surface were the key materials used to create the plaza.
A local design firm, Public Architecture, donated their time and resources to help design and acquire materials for the plaza, including one of its more innovative features; the use of “Sonotube” concrete forms as temporary bollards/planters. In addition to the planters, the plaza features salvaged granite curbs and moveable chairs and tables to provide a diversity of seating options in the plaza. The surface was painted a terracotta color to delineate it from surrounding streets and the F-Line right-of-way.
For conceptual plan view of the plaza, click here. 
Special Design Considerations:
An historic F-line streetcar makes its way through the plaza.
The F-Line Streetcar:
One of the most unique features of the plaza is the presence of the historic Muni F-Line streetcar trains. The colorful trolleys provide a unique kinetic element to the space as they turn the corner and head down Market Street and onward to Fisherman’s Wharf. The plaza now serves as a pedestrian friendly terminus to this route and creates a much more welcoming front door to the world-famous Castro neighborhood. From the plaza, visitors riding the F-line can now comfortably disembark the trolley without worry of speeding traffic, orient themselves, snap a photo with the landmark Pride Flag or Castro Theatre marquee in the background, and set off on an exploration of the Castro neighborhood.
Emergency & Tunnel Access:
In addition to normal emergency access for buildings along 17th Street – the plaza’s design had to address a number of unique emergency access challenges. In the event of a major emergency, currently unused tracks on 17th Street may need to be put into service by safety personal to enter tunnels into the City’s subway system. The plaza’s design team worked carefully with Muni and the Fire Department to ensure that the design did not impede access. Hard to move granite benches were sited outside these access routes. All other objects located in the plaza were designed to be easily moveable in the event of an emergency.
Public Activation:
The Castro CBD (Community Benefit District) worked closely with the City to do public outreach and has taken on the responsibility of managing and activating the plaza. In addition to special events planned by the CBD, the plaza’s moveable seating allows for a wide flexibility of use. From the morning till late evening dozens of people can be found using the space to people watch, relax, walk their dog, meet a friend, or enjoy a bite to eat.
Plaza users enjoy a sunny weekday afternoon and warm weekend night.
The Castro CBD brought a variety of community groups to the plaza during its first Saturday and has plans to continue to activate the space on summer weekends.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
The City is closely monitoring the success of the plaza to help inform future plans for additional Pavement to Parks projects.
- To view the city’s Evaluation Plan, email us.
- For Further information about the plaza, please view our Frequently Asked Questions document.
- In addition, specific comments or questions about the plaza can be e-mailed here.
Additional Links:
- Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Press Release
- YouTube: Mayoral Dedication on May 13, 2009
- Public Architecture’s Pavement to Parks Page
- Castro CBD’s Plaza Page
- Join the 17th & Castro Facebook group!
Media Coverage:
SAN FRANCISCO STREETSBLOG
- "17th Street Plaza Trial Extended Four Months"
- "Streetfilms: SF Carves a Park from the Midst of Its Pavement"
- “17th Street Plaza Well Used Its First Weekend”
- “Mayor Newsom Unveils SF’s First Pavement to Parks Plaza”
- “A Livable Street in the Making – 17th Street Plaza Nearly Complete”
- “Eyes on the Street: Castro Plaza Slightly More Permanent” (4/26/2010)
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
- “Castro District Tries Out a Pedestrian Plaza”
- "Block off cars, add trees - presto, it's a park" - John King
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