Yerba Buena’s public realm is notable for its diversity, creativity and liveliness. We fund streetscape programs – large and small — to improve our public spaces with artful bike racks, seating, public art, and more. Our goal is to enhance the livability, safety, vitality, inclusivity and sustainability of the district — to make an original neighborhood even better — with projects that have a defined purpose. Our Streets and Public Space Committee spearheads ideas and recommendations working together with the Yerba Buena community on these incredible projects.
Our Yerba Buena Street Life Plan 2019
Our Yerba Buena Street Life Plan 2019 | An Evolution is a guide to improve public spaces in our district. It helps constituents and partners identify and prioritize improvements to the district’s public spaces. The plan builds upon a previous plan and clarifies district characteristics and values for users to incorporate into future projects and criteria to evaluate ideas. The YBCBD uses it to evaluate both long-term, large-scale projects and short-term, site-specific projects. For all, this plan helps shape ideas for public realm improvements Yerba Buena.
Project Highlights
As part of the YBCBD’s Mission, we identify areas of the community that can be elevated through beautification projects. Our Streets and Public Spaces Committee helps identify potential locations in Yerba Buena and through partnerships and advocacy efforts, works to transition community ideas into realities for all to enjoy. Below are the projects in which we are currently engaged and those which have been completed.
Current Project
Bike Hangar Pilot Project
Colorful bike hangars — lockable, half-cylinder-shaped metal sheds able to store up to 12 bikes — were placed curbside at two popular commuter locations at Fourth and MissionStreets by Metreon and at Howard and Second streets. The new, secure bike parking options in Yerba Buena, part of an SFMTA pilot program, have been called “safe, clean and beautiful.” The YBCBD worked with local artist Amandalynn to create decorative designs for the hangars, adding to the neighborhood’s impressive collection of free public art.. The hangars are operated by BikeLink. To access them, riders need to get the eLock/BikeLink app.
Current Project
Yerba Buena Barklet
The Yerba Buena Barklet is an on-leash pet relief area with features that both humans and animals can appreciate: there’s a resilient turf connected to a soaking, cleaning and drainage system; a dog bag dispenser and waste receptacle; and, an array of drought tolerant plants that added greenery to the once gray location. In response to residents’ requests, the YBCBD opened the pet relief area at the corner of Third and Folsom streets, transforming a spot about half the the size of a pickleball court from barren to beautiful — an enjoyable landscaped location suitable to bring dogs and meet neighbors.To create awareness of the amenity, we worked with local artist Crystal Vielula to design colorful and playful artwork with puppies relaxing amid majestic flowered scenery, placed on nearby BigBelly trash receptacles. The project involved a partnership with the Moscone Center, CMG Landscape and Architecture, and the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy.
Current Project
Annie Street North Redesign
Now the front door to historic jazz bar, the Dawn Club, Annie North Plaza was reimagined into a bright, open, flexible public space that will allow for more events and activations. Located at the intersection of Annie Street and Market Streets, the Plaza’s new configuration serves as an important pedestrian connector from Market Street into neighborhood alleyways such as Annie, Jessie and Stevenson. This project was completed in partnership with San Francisco Public Works, and the plaza’s adjacent neighbors Brookfield Properties, The Palace Hotel, JMA Ventures, and the Hearst Corporation.
Current Project
Yerba Buena Benches and Bike Racks
There are infinite possibilities to enhance and beautify streets and one such way is through unique public furnishings. These benches and bike racks, created solely for Yerba Buena, were designed and manufactured exclusively for our streets and bring both the age-worn historical aesthetic of our city with modern patterns and work from local artists. These furnishings have been incorporated into City improvement projects and new development projects, and can be requested by community members and property owners in the neighborhood.
Past Project
Parkmobiles – Mobile Parklets
Inspired by the City’s Parklet program, the YBCBD designed the first ever mobile parklet out of dumpsters- Parkmobiles! From 2011 to 2019, we rotated several Parkmoiles throughout the district with support and sponsorship from local property owners. The units provided both lush greenery as well as a resting areas for community members and pedestrians. The YBCBD partnered with San Francisco Planning and Recology to make this program successful.
Past Project
Annie Street (South) Plaza Project
Between 2013 and 2016, Annie Street at its intersection with Mission Street was converted into a public plaza space which allowed for respite and activations. The award winning Annie Street South Plaza project demonstrated how with a little creativity underused alleyways could be altered for more diverse and equitable uses.
