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We've debuted a new look! At the start of the year we rebranded and redesigned our website with interactive maps, a dining and shopping section, and visitor information (parking, FAQs, etc.), alongside an expanded events calendar.
The new radiant logo, designed by San Francisco company VehicleSF, is "inspired by the floor patterns at City Hall, the dynamic lines radiating from two concentric 'C's indicating the vibrancy of our neighborhood in the center of the city. The multiple shapes emanating from the center suggest public gathering space. The form is open, welcoming and modern."
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Send us your business and event information and check back periodically as we expand the site with more information on Civic Center's past, present and future. |
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Better Market Street Construction & Car-Free Market Street Reinforcement |
The Better Market Street project is readying to break ground, even as the project has shifted some since its initial iteration in 2019: certain plans have been scaled back due to budget constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to mitigate disruption to local businesses and the start of car-free Market Street in 2020. SFMTA's focus has now shifted, as the SF Examiner notes, "to crumbling infrastructure" along the corridor, such as roadway repaving rather than entirely replacing sidewalks. Remaining limited resources will be devoted toward traffic calming and pedestrian safety upgrades such as signal re-timing, repaved crosswalks and improved commercial loading zones.
The first phase of the project is still Market Street between 5th and 8th streets.
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SFMTA also announced enforcement of car-free Market Street resumed March 29. The month-long reinforcement includes, "PCOs and police officers... monitor[ing] the street at various locations. PCOs will wave on vehicles attempting to turn onto Market Street within the restricted area." Violators received a warning during the first week of reinforcement, and a citation thereafter.
For more information contact the BMS Project team:
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Readying UN Plaza for Reopening |
As San Francisco residents, workers and visitors gradually return to public life, the CBD is busy instituting more public health and safety services as well as new amenities in United Nations Plaza.
As higher levels of pedestrian foot-traffic return, more frequent pressure-washing will resume -- especially on Farmers' Market days -- when sanitation is especially important.
Refreshed signs will remind Plaza goers of Plaza codes of conduct -- especially those pertaining to social distancing and other pandemic protocols -- as well as vending regulations.
Plaza staffing which includes personnel from: the CBD, Public Works, Heart of the City Farmers' Market, the Recreation and Parks Department, SFPD, Homeland Security, Urban Alchemy, Hunter's Point Family and the Downtown Streets Team will be on hand daily to welcome Plaza-goers back to a safe and resourceful public space!
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Amenities such as a new dog run near Arsicault bakery will be unveiled this summer, and Plaza-wide music and new patio umbrellas on Farmers' Market days will be unveiled in the coming weeks. |
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Downtown Congestion Pricing Study Seeks Community Input |
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is conducting a study on the impact of congestion pricing for downtown, which includes portions of the District. The study is looking at the impact of cars paying a fee to cross certain boundaries during rush hour and is currently seeking community input; please visit the SFCTA site for more information and the opportunity to request a virtual presentation. General questions and comments can be sent to congestion-pricing@sfcta.org.
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New Pop-Up, Lazy Susan, Is Already Popular |
A new Chinese-American restaurant has popped up in the SF JAZZ building (208 Fell St.). Lazy Susan, from chef Eric Ehler (a former Mister Jiu's sous chef) opened in February serving takeout-only Chinese American classics like General Tso's Chicken, beef & broccoli, and orange chicken. It's becoming so popular, they've been selling out. 7x7 notes, "When San Francisco's performing arts eventually do reopen, Lazy Susan, on Fell Street near the corner of Franklin, will be ideally situated for quick dinners pre-show in the vicinity of Civic Center. Until then, consider it a gift from the to-go food gods."
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Shared Spaces Continues, Becoming Permanent |
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Useful Business Resource Links from OEWD |
For businesses impacted by COVID, the Office of Economic Workforce Development remains a great hub of information; from tax relief to informational webinars to the reopening process -- see their site for a full list of resources.
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F-Line to Return to Market Street |
The Market Street Railway announced riders will be able to hop aboard the F-line and ride between Castro and Fisherman's Wharf beginning in May. The Railway also added it's currently working with SFMTA to find a way to keep service running during the first phase of Better Market Street Construction; as of now the F-line will run to Fisherman's Wharf and turn around at Powell starting in September.
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BART Substation Construction Begins This Spring |
At the corner of Market and Grove, BART will commence upgrading Civic Center station's power to allow for more trains through the City and Transbay Tube. The work will require street level access and a construction staging area in front of the old Burger King location. Fencing is slated to go up on the corner plaza in late April and work will last approximately one year.
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SF Opera Pivots During Pandemic: Drive-Ins and Tech |
The San Francisco Business Times featured a Q&A with General Director Matthew Shilvock about how the San Francisco Opera has pivoted during the pandemic to keep bringing music to the public; through a means of drive-in performances at Fort Mason, and now, San Rafael's Civic Center; and technology that allows singers and pianists in two locations to make music together in real time. Shilvock notes, "The Opera House was built in 1932, right in the middle of the Depression. So this is a company that has known resilience."
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The Kelsey Civic Center Makes Progress |
The Kelsey Civic Center is currently in the design and demolition phase; which is readying to build a 100% affordable apartment building featuring 109 units for disabled individuals. When completed the building will also house a disability cultural center and courtyard with a sensory garden. Construction on the building is slated to begin in 2022 with development partner Mercy Housing California.
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Strada Development in District Moves Forward |
The San Francisco Chronicle's J.K. Dineen recently documented the progress at Strada's development in the District. The project at 1621 Market St. will include a new Plumbers Union Hall, 595 housing units and a park.
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An integral part of our new site is the expanded Civic Center Events Calendar. Featuring community-focused events in the District, we want to make sure we're sharing them all! If your organization is hosting a community event in the District or is having a community-focused event at your Civic Center-based arts and cultural institution, please send us the information so we can share it with our site visitors.
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The Asian Art Museum is now open, allowing for 50% capacity; new exhibits since it was last open include "After Hope: Videos of resistance," "Memento: Jayashree Chakravarty and Lam Tung Pang," and "Zheng Chongbin: I Look for the Sky." While the cafe currently remains closed, several nearby restaurants are open.
Free 1st Sundays at the Museum have also resumed -- be sure to book your free ticket online.
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CBD Clean & Safe Services: QTR 1 - 2021 |
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CCCBD continues to add handy waste receptacles throughout the District to avoid littering. |
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We know you appreciate our Field Crew under normal circumstances; so please consider making a donation to them under these anything but normal circumstances. Donations will go to staff appreciation activities.
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CBD Board and Staff members, along with representatives from SFPD,
presented an award to Heart of the City Farmers' Market security team lead Samba for his assistance in detaining the accused attacker of an
Asian-American senior citizen in the District.
Thank you Samba!
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Remember to secure your Shared Space when not in use.
Click HERE for helpful tips.
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One of 11 life-sized oxen from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco graced Civic Center Plaza to welcome the Year of the Ox as part of Ox on Parade; "Year of the xOXo" by artist Monique Zhang. |
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