RENEW SF Projects
TOP PRIORITY PROJECT- Discover Columbus
Discover Columbus is a community based planning effort to improve the functions of Columbus Avenue as a major corridor linking the financial district to Fisherman Wharf in the northeast waterfront. Some of the issues of common neighborhood concerns that have been identified are: transportation and traffic flow, pedestrian access, parking, street furniture, way finding signs, street aesthetics and greening.
Among the first steps of action, RENEW SF has engaged the Urban Studies students at San Francisco State University to conduct a survey of Columbus Avenue in order to acquire better understanding of existing conditions. Topics of the survey include profile of business, parking and greening. Phase I of the survey has been concluded and a presentation was made at a community forum organized by RENEW SF. Efforts are underway to plan and continue the survey.
June 2006 - RENEW SF awarded Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant!
This project is part of Caltran's Columbus Avenue Revitalization Master Plan. The receipt of this planning grant to collaborate with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority is indeed timely and the funding will enable RENEW SF to achieve its goal of identifying solutions to improve Columbus Avenue through a coordinated neighborhood planning process. Click here for more information.
Essentially, RENEW SF will be the coordinating organization for the collection of data by consultants and for implementing a public process for review of information. It is anticipated that the project will take 12-15 months to complete.
The scope of the project includes the production of the following documents:
a. An Existing Condition Report
b. Solutions Report
c. Implementation Strategy Report
d. Final Report
Broadway and Columbus
RENEW SF has been working in consultation with neighborhood organizations, professional experts and city agencies such as the Department of City Planning and Department of Public Works. The concept of what improvements should be implemented has evolved over the past year and will continue to through the neighborhood's coordinated planning efforts. The following booklet represents some of the initial ideas compiled by RENEW SF planning committee chair and architect Rod Freebairn-Smith.
Other Ongoing Projects
- Broadway / Columbus intersection – RENEW SF directors participated in and presented responses at public meetings hosted by DPW to solicit neighborhood input for the proposed redesign of this important intersection. Some of the issues of concern include improving traffic flow, developing better connections between lower and upper Grant Avenue, as well as a proposed sculpture to be installed at the intersection to be designed by artist Brian Goggin. RENEW SF directors continue to work with Mr. Goggin to achieve the best design solution. Neighborhood meetings were organized so that the community can review the latest design concept of the sculpture and exchange ideas with the artist.
- Conrad Square – RENEW SF works with the Fishmerman Wharf Association on concepts to beautify and redesign Conrad Square as an attractive and functional connecting point both visually and thematically between Fisherman Wharf and North Beach. A schematic plan was developed by RENEW SF director Rod Freebairn-Smith and ongoing discussions are held to determine the best design solutions.
- Washington Square Park – RENEW SF director Robert Mittelstadt works in collaboration with Friends of Washington Park representatives as well as city officials on improving the lighting of the Park, which will have positive impact on public safety.
- North Beach Community Benefits District – RENEW SF initiated meeting with Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to launch the application process for formation of a North Beach CBD, and continues to support efforts undertaken by the North Beach Merchants Association and other organizations for this purpose.