N Judah Beautification Project Final Report

WHAT’S HAPPENING ATTHE N JUDAH TURNAROUND?A report for the neighborhood on progress with the N Judah Turnaround Beautification Project.

Foreword

As partners of the Neighborhood Empowerment Network, our team of City Hall Fellows joined the N Judah Turnaround Beautification project to support the Community Steering Committee as part of our year in service to local government.

We produced this report in January 2013 to summarize our participation in the project for the community to build upon. As a group representing the future of San Francisco local government, we tried to make this report and our involvement in this project reflect how government and communities can better work together.

We were thrilled to be a part of a project that was completely community driven, and we were blown away by the efforts of the committee members and support from the community stakeholders. With the support of our many partners, the project has succeeded as an example of innovative and empowering collaboration and we’ve accomplished more than we thought possible. We hope this success leads to future civic projects using community input as a foundation rather than an afterthought.

This report represents the end of the City Hall Fellows role in the project, but we’re glad that the community members are already continuing their efforts at implementing beautification plans, developing a strong vision for their neighborhood, and expressing their voice in city government.

Angelica Quicksey, Lindsay Goodwin, Rachel Alonso, and Thomas Gonzales

Table of Contents

Title and Introductory Pages

Background Information

The Look and Feel

Community-Made Content

Getting Around

Things to Do and Visit

Project Process Overview

Project Vision & Values

Page 1

Page 6

Page 14

Page 30

Page 34

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Page 48

Page 12

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How to use this report

This report reflects the input gathered at community events for the N Judah Beautification Turnaround Project in November and December of 2012.

This report is for you, members of the “La Playa” community that live around the N-Judah turnaround.

Read it to learn about what people in your neighborhood have been accomplishing and what they’ve been discovering about how to make the place even better.

Add to it by using the empty spaces inside to write down your own ideas and keep the conversation going. This report isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.

Share it and your ideas with anyone who might be interested. You’re encouraged to steal, repurpose, or otherwise reuse anything you find inspiring or useful.

This report is for you.Read it, add to it, share it.

WHAT INSPIRED US

We were inspired after hearing the challenge: “How often do you really read a report?”

We decided to take on that challenge and create something that would be a useful resource for the people involved in the project.

Most reports are boring, full of jargon, and too dense to absorb. Instead, we wanted this one to be visual, easy to pick up and explore, rather than something that would collect dust on a shelf.

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Jot down your own thoughts and ideas in these thought bubbles.

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Project Process OverviewLaunch of La Playa Park

2009

A self-starter group of residents took it upon themselves to enlist the support of the Department of Public Works in creating a landscaped park and community space in the La Playa Street median, complete with a bocce ball court.

This early success served to empower and excite the group around beautifying the turnaround area.

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Formation of Steering Committee

Summer 2012

A group of community leaders—comprised of merchants, neighbor-hood emergency response team members, neighborhood watch members, environ-mental and transportation advocates—came together to form the N-Judah Turnaround Beautification Project Community Steering Committee.

The committee felt that while their part of the Outer Sunset—known as the “La Playa” neighborhood—had seen many improvements over time, there was still opportunity for creating a stronger sense of community and identity amongst the area’s diverse residents.

As they set out, they sought the support of their district supervisor. Once Supervisor Chu was on board, they were able to connect with the city’s Neighborhood Empowerment Network.

The NEN helped the committee form a strategy and team up with partners in order to build a more resilient communities. Together, they set out on the first phase of the project: raising awareness.

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Public Kick-Off Meeting

Aug. 29

The steering committee organized a kick-off to get word out about the project, solicit feedback, and invite people to join the committee. About 40 people showed up!

Phase 1: Raising Awareness of Project

A pair of community engagement technology providers

A creative and enthusiastic team of young civic leaders

Outreach Plan

September

The committee then developed a detailed plan for getting their neighbors aware of and excited about the project.

By the end of September, the NEN had recruited three new partners: Crowdbrite, Neighborland, and the City Hall Fellows.

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Public Idea Gathering

Nov. 17

The first chance for neighbors to share their ideas for the Turnaround was at an in-person event put on by Neighborland. (see more on p. 32)

Flyers in English and Cantonese promoted the event and the fact that people could submit ideas via SMS or the Neighborland website.

These ideas were used to identify themes representing residents’ different interests—themes that in the next phase were incorporated into the community design workshop.

Phase 2: Gather ideas and identify themes

The City Hall Fellows, Crowdbrite, and representatives from the office of Supervisor Chu, SFMTA, SFPUC, Department of Planning, DPW, and SPUR all met to discuss ongoing projects and plans, which are summarized later in this report.

The group also tested out the Crowdbrite technology and model for the community workshop.

Background Idea Gathering

October - November

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Community-led Workshop

Dec. 15

The City Hall Fellows team captured the ideas and proposals in this report!

Jan. 2013

“I’ve lived in this community for 30 years and we’ve never had anything like this happen here.”

Over 60 neighbors showed up at Francis Scott Key Elementary School for a hands-on, community-led design workshop. (see more on p. 33)

After identifying assets and opportunities, residents divided into teams and chose one of the themes to focus on, ultimately drafting actionable proposals for neighborhood improvement and beautification.

Phase 3: Convene in a Structured Process to Finalize Action Plan

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The next phase of the project is to put plans into action. You can use this report to figure out what proposals you might want to work on implementing and get ideas for next steps.

Successful projects are always somewhat flexible and do not go step by step (they’re iterative). In order to implement some ideas, it might be necessary to go back to one of the earlier phases.

As the project continues, some parts might be completed, and other parts might be incorporated into larger projects.

Our advice: Start with what’s feasible and celebrate every success!

Phase 4: Implementation MISSING VOICES: THERE’S MORE WORK

TO DO

The great ideas gathered so far have come from a broad range of residents, but the Steering Committee hopes to make the project more inclusive and get feedback from some of the groups whose voices have been noticeably absent, including:

Monolingual cantonese-speakers , which includes many long-time residents.

Local youth, who represent the future of the community; there is tremendous opportunity to tap the energy of young people in civic projects.

________________________________________________________________________

What ideas do you have for connecting with these groups about this project?

See more about the process online at empowersf.org/n-judah-beautification-project

________________________________________________________________________

How might you begin implementing improvements?

Project Vision

The N-Judah Turnaround Beautification Project aims to: make the Muni metro line turnaround at La Playa Street into an asset and a place people want to be; further establish the neighborhood as a distinct community; and create a healthier, safer, more vibrant and economically resilient place to live, work, and visit.

NN

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One of the first steps in the project was setting a vision to guide the committee.

The group has continued to revise this statement as the project evolves:

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Values

Time appropriate

Outcome oriented

Open, transparent, endorsed

Inclusive, interactive, and informed

What was valued in the project process:

What is valued in the neighborhood:

Diversity (cultures, ages, race) and uniquenessNear nature and open space

Walkable, small-town feelQuiet and safe

Culturally sensitive and aware

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BACKGROUND INFORMATIONWhat plans already exist that will affect the future of your neighborhood?

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Review of the Basics:

Demographic Data Modes of Transportation

Who lives here? How do they get around?

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Plans and projects underway

This section has a compilation of information on City and collaborative plans and projects in and around the neighborhood.

We’ve summarized this information in one place to give you a snapshot of what’s going on. This information comes from public agencies and similar organizations, including:

CONCEPTS

PROPOSALS

PROJECTS

Ideas developed to guide improvement.

Specific project ideas not yet started.

Projects that are underway or ongoing.

• SF Department of Planning• SF Department of Public Works (DPW)• SF Public Utilities Commission (PUC)• SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA/Muni)• Golden Gate National Recreation Area• SF Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR)

— http://www.sfplanning.org

— http://www.sfdpw.org— http://www.sfwater.org— http://www.sfmta.com— http://www.nps.gov/goga— http://www.spur.org/

Benefits:

Green Infrastructure Technologies

InfiltrationThe process through which stormwater runoff (rainwater) penetrates into soil from the ground surface.

Creating opportunities for infiltration can simultaneously solve problems of water quality, flood control, streambank erosion, groundwater (aquifer) recharge, and provide other ecological benefits.

Infiltration TrenchA long, narrow, rock-filled trench with no outlet that receives stormwater runoff.

Water is stored in the void spaces in the gravel layers and slowly infiltrates through the bottom of the trench into the soil.

Permeable PavementA surface that functions as normal pavement but has pores or gaps that allow rainwater to drain to an underlying aggregate layer and infiltrate the soil beneath.

Less water runs off, reducing peak stormwater flows. Water quality is improved by removing oil and grease, metals, and suspended solids.

CONCEPTS PROPOSALS PROJECTS

1. Beautifies community spaces2. Increases biodiversity3. Groundwater recharge4. Green Jobs5. Reduces urban heat island effect6. Public education improves air quality7. Reduces wastewater treatment costs8. Pedestrian safety/traffic calming

Bioretention SystemsA type of stormwater facility that relies on vegetation and engineered soil to capture water, allow it to infiltrate and transpire, removing pollutants in the process.

Location: throughout San Francisco

Lead Agency: SF PUC

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Oversized Vehicle

Legislation

Original proposal can be found at: http://www.sfbos.org/ftp/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/bag092512_120142.pdfLegislation can be found at: http://www.sfbos.org/ftp/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/ordinances12/o0211-12.pdf


Key Features:1. Oversized vehicles would be defined as motorized vehicles or trailers, or a combination of the

two that are over 22 feet in length or 8 feet in height or 7 feet in width2. The ordinance will be enforced on :

• Great Highway between Lincoln and Sloat Blvd• Lincoln Way between Great Highway and Stanyan St• 36th& 37th Avenues between Lincoln and Sloat• Kirkham, Lawton, Moraga, Noriega, Ortega, Pacheco, Quintara, Rivera, Santiago, Taraval,

Ulloa, Vicente, and Wawona between 36th & 37th Avenues

On October 5th 2012, the Board of Supervisor passed legislation that will ban oversized vehicle parking in certain locations around the city between 12AM and 6AM Signage will go up in December and the first period of evaluation will begin in Jan/Feb of 2013.

Location: Lincoln Way, Great Highway, Sunset Blvd

Lead Agency: SFMTA

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Location: Ocean Beach

Lead Agency: SPUR

Ocean Beach Master Plan: Narrowing the Great Highway


Reduce the width of the Great Highway to provide amenities and facilitate managed retreat of the shoreline

Key Features:1. Narrow the Great Highway from four lanes

to two south of Lincoln2. Use the current southbound lanes for

parking pockets, restrooms, signage, etc.3. Introduce a multiuse promenade west of

the road4. Between amenities, allow dunes to

migrate inland over the road and transport box

5. Improve access at Judah, Taraval, Rivera and Noriega with trailheads, signage, bike parking, landscape improvements

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Westwood Transfer Box located at the end of Lincoln Way

Current

Ocean Beach Master Plan: Stormwater Management

Program

Before1960’s: 60-70 large discharges into the Ocean per year

Future example

7-8 large discharges per year causing erosion


Location: Ocean Beach Lead Agency: SF PUC

Key Features:1. Low impact design2. Green infrastructure3. Manage discharge quantity to minimize erosion

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Current Ocean Beach Master Plan:

Coastal Management Program


Location: Ocean Beach Lead Agency: Army Corps of Engineers, GGNRA

Key Features:1. Beach Nourishment: Project will pull sand from

the Ocean Floor and add it to the beach to prevent erosion

2. Phase in native dune restoration in key locations, especially at Lincoln and Vicente

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Before

After

Ocean Beach Master Plan:Golden Gate Park Connectivity

1. Make parking lot smaller2. Maintain row of “watching the

water” parking spots3. Improve connectivity by

modifying parking entrances and improve pedestrian crossings at JFK and Beach Chalet

4. Use landscape features to mark the oceanfront termination of Lincoln and Fulton streets

5. Add abundant bike parking


Key Features:

Location: Ocean Beach Lead Agency: GGNRA 22

After

Example ImagesBefore

Sewer System Improvement Program

(SSIP)


Key Features:1. 20-year, $6.9B citywide

investment required to upgrade our aging sewer infrastructure to ensure a reliable and seismically safe sewer system now and for generations to come

2. Upgrade grey infrastructure, such as sewer pipes and treatment plants and also integrate green infrastructure projects

3. Ensure cleaned, treated water is released into the Bay and the Pacific Ocean and continue to protect the health of our community and environment

Location: various Lead Agency: SF PUC 23

DPW STREETS BOND - Paving

Map (left): Proposed Paving candidates, bond and non-bond funded (as of May 2012)

Place Existing

Conditions Image Here

1. Provides for smooth and pothole‐free streets, reducing the costs of road induced damage and preventing accidents for bicyclists and drivers who must swerve to avoid dangerous spots in the road.

2. Improves the PCI score, to prevent skyrocketing costs, street degradation, and an exponential growth in the backlog of streets needing reconstruction. Prevents the significant increase in costs if these improvements were delayed into the future.

Map (above): Existing PCI scores for District 4 (as of March 2011)

Before

After

Map (right): Bond-funded paving candidates only, by project status (as of

May 2012)


Location: Irving Street, Great Highway, others

Lead Agency: SF DPW

Expected Benefits:

PCI stands for “Pavement Condition Index,” and is a standard way to rate the quality of a street. Lower quality streets (i.e., those with more potholes and other defects) have lower PCI scores.

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DPW STREETS BOND – Curb Ramps

AfterBeforeAbove: Example of a curb ramp (at Steiner & Grove) in need of reconstruction

Below: Curb ramps constructed in District 4 between 7/01/11 and 6/30/12

Proposed curb ramps to be constructed in District 4 with bond

funding

Example of a curb ramp (at Steiner & Grove) after reconstruction


Location: Sunset District (various)

Lead Agency: SF DPW

1. The law requires that the City provide curb ramps to make the public right‐of‐way accessible.

2. New ramps were constructed on Lincoln between 42nd and 47th in February 2012

3. Regardless of this legal requirement, our City wants and needs to make this investment in order to protect the safety of people with disabilities and to create a pedestrian environment that is welcoming to everyone.

Key Features:

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DPW STREETS BOND – Streetscape

ID Project Name Prop B Budget

Streetscape

4-5 Irving Streetscape Improvements (19th Ave to 26th Ave)

$3,000,000

4-11 Taraval Streetscape Improvements (46th Ave to 48th Ave)

$1,600,000

Follow the Paving

4-7 28th Ave Crosswalk Enhancements (Judah to Taraval)

$2,000

4-17 Kirkham Street Traffic Striping (9th Ave to 48th Ave)

$8,000

4-6 Lincoln/20th Ave Crosswalk Opening $69,000

4-12 Wawona/Crestlake Traffic Calming $20,700

Example of a location for a potential streetscape improvement project (21st Avenue)

21st Ave simulation of potential streetscape improvements


Location: Kirkham St, 28th Ave, others

Lead Agency: SF DPW

1. Decrease the likelihood of pedestrian injuries/fatalities2. Increase accessibility for all street users3. Promote public safety4. Minimize the impact of global climate change and local air pollution5. Minimize sewer/stormwater overflows into the Bay6. Support SF’s local shopping districts and small businesses7. Provide new open space8. Support neighborliness, civic interaction, and identity9. Enhance the everyday quality of life for residents and beautifying

neighborhoods

Expected Benefits:

Before

After

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Ortega St Traffic Calming and Bike Lanes

Place Proposed Project Image Here

Place Existing

Conditions Image Here

Before

After: Sample proposed striping (Ortega St)


Location: Ortega St, Outer Sunset

Lead Agency: SFMTA

1. Bike lanes proposed for Ortega St between 20th Ave and the Great Highway

2. The bike lanes would not go in before summer 2013 – after any approved traffic calming measures are constructed.

3. Traffic calming plans created by the residents includes mid-block speed humps on each of the four blocks, pedestrian islands on the west leg of 25th, 26th, and 27th Avenues with ‘Yield to Pedestrian’ signs, continental crosswalks, and red curbs to increase visibility at the intersections.

Key Features:

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Kirkham St Bike LanesAfter: Kirkham Edge-Lines


Location: Kirkham St Lead Agency: SFMTA

1. MTA applied for funding to construct islands and stripe bike lanes.

2. They were able to secure $89,000 from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and $25,000 from Prop K funds.

3. However, the City’s bike lane plans were put on hold pending adequate environmental review.

4. MTA has not been able to proceed with this project for this reason. However, they were able to stripe “edge-lines” to narrow the lanes for a traffic calming purpose

Key Features:

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2011 Road Repaving & Street Safety Bond

Source: 2011 Road Repaving & Street Safety Bond Fact Sheet (http://sfdpw.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=2193)

Place Project Image Here


Location: throughout San Francisco

Lead Agency: SF DPW

1. Street repaving2. Curb Ramp construction3. Damaged sidewalk repair4. Streetscape projects5. Traffic signal improvements6. Street structure repair

Key Features:

Approved by voters in November 2011, the ‘Streets Bond’ is the use of $248 million to improve infrastructure throughout San Francisco.

More information can be found at sfdpw.org/streetsbond

1. Increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars.

2. Enhance aesthetics

Expected Benefits:

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COMMUNITY-MADE CONTENTWhat are the ideas and proposals your neighbors have come up with, and how might you carry them out?

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Building around themes

The Look and FeelGetting AroundThings to Do and Visit

We organized the ideas and proposals from community members in the following pages around three themes, which were developed from early community feedback and revised based on outcomes of the community-led design workshop:

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Where did these ideas come from?

GATHERING IDEAS WITH NEIGHBORLAND

We began collecting ideas with an interactive event at Java Beach Cafe organized by the ideation company Neighborland. We presented a very simple, yet powerful prompt: I want ______ at the N Judah Turnaround.

The conversation continued online after the event where residents posted more ideas and voted on their favorites.

The ideas generated through Neighborland inspired the themes for the Community Design Workshop.

Almost all of the ideas for beautifying the turnaround and the neighborhood were gathered in person from community members at the “Neighborland” idea-gathering event in November and the Community-led Design Workshop in December.

We organized these ideas for you on the following pages.

Check them out, get excited, and make them into a reality!

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CARRYING OUT THE COMMUNITY-LED DESIGN WORKSHOP

Modeled on “design charrettes” used by professional architects and planners, community members in the neighborhood became designers for the day. One of the most powerful parts of the day was the opening session, centered on what’s working in the community. Supervisor Chu was on hand to read off the top things people love about the neighborhood.

Over the course of the four-hour workshop, residents worked with City agency representatives and numerous volunteer professionals. Each participant had the opportunity to “vote with their feet” and be focus on one of several themes and produce actionable project proposals.

Thanks to local support and donations, there was provided lunch, a presentation on neighborhood history, and live music. The event was also a great chance for neighbors to interact, and—most importantly—It was a lot of fun!

“I wish all public meetings went like this.”

–Jared Weiner, DPW

“This meeting was really great…this is what our community always needed.”

The Community-led Design Workshop on December 25th provided a structured process to explore a vision for the neighborhood and produce detailed project proposals that you will find on the following pages.

Using Crowdbrite’s technology and experience with collaborative design events, community members worked in small teams supported by volunteer architecture and design professionals.

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WHERE WE ARE

CONCEPTS

PROPOSALS

NEXT STEPS

What’s working and what could be better.

The collection of ideas for improvement.

Specific project ideas to get started on.

How to make those projects happen.

This theme is all about aesthetics, beauty, and the feeling of an identity for the neighborhood. Most of the projects that focused specifically on the turnaround and La Playa Park fall in this category, too.

The Look and Feel

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WHERE WE ARE CONCEPTS PROPOSALS NEXT STEPS

• Diversity of neighborhood (cultures, ages, etc.)

• Great small, beach town feel• Active merchant association• Parklets with seating• Combination of city amenities

and nature• The fog and location on the

“edge of the continent”• Community gardens• Quiet• Wild/rough, undeveloped, and

expansive feel

What’s Working!

Could Be Better• Aesthetic appeal of the

turnaround• Empty tree wells, not enough trees

or streetscaping• Wide sidewalks & streets with too

much concrete, too little green• Unsightly utility poles• Too much garbage and street litter• Area doesn’t reflect its function as

main transit entry/gateway to Ocean Beach

• Poor curb appeal of the 7-11 corner (46th & Judah)

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Nearby residents worked with DPW to improve the La Playa Street median with:• Decorative Landscaping• Bocce Ball Courts• Seating and Benches• Community Garden

NOTE: north median is privately owned

La Playa Park Improvement Project

Before After

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More ideas:Tall trees. Fruit trees. A palm tree with a fountain and garden. String lights. More plants. More flowers. A flower bed or a flower vendor. Planters of succulents and greenery. Neighborhood artist murals. A tile mosaic street mural. A mural of the sea and sea creatures. More frequent trash clean up. Lots of natural muted colors tying the neighborhood together. Bright colors. A classic aesthetic. Dark skies so our kids can see the stars. Taking advertising off all Muni vehicle windows.


• Mural on the MUNI building at end of N-Judah and on the pavement• Plant big trees along Judah and add parklets, especially between 46th and

48th; get homeowners to plant trees in front of houses• Street pole flags/banners along Judah and Sunset

Aesthetics

• An information kiosk with neighborhood history

• Name places:• La Playa Square• Sunset Promenade• La Playa Beach Park• Judah commercial core• Community gardens

Identity

• Street mural in the turnaround• Trees, foliage, and native dune

plants as a wind barrier• Do projects with volunteers, not

just government funds

• Cleaner streets and more public trash cans• Install only dark-sky lighting• Put utilities underground whenever a major

repair is done• Paint commercial blocks—with donations• No steel gates/grilles on business windows• Install a fountain inside the turnaround

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Design #1

Design #2

1. Closes the N-Judah turnaround to through traffic on La Playa Street

2. Central piece such as a fountain, raised planter box or amphitheatre

3. Patterned pavement for a Piazza-like feel

4. Flowers, trees & plants5. Seating and bike parking6. An open space for farmers

market and community events

Key Features

La Playa PlazaCreate a La Playa Plaza in the N-Judah turnaround for community activity.

1. Creates community identity and support

2. Eliminates through traffic and improves pedestrian safety

3. Allows for community events such as farmers markets

4. Increases seating and bike parking

5. Beautifies the turnaround6. Increases property value

Expected Benefits

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Identity & Wayfinding Signage

Campaign

Examples:Green Lane Project in Memphis, TNChinatown in Oakland, CAVision 2020 in Salem, OR

Develop a unique name and distinct identity for the neighborhood, leading to a wayfinding and signage program to highlight key neighborhood assets that is valuable to both SF residents and visitors.

1. Strong branding/image2. Clear pathways to key destinations3. Eye-catching signs (including

distances to locations)4. Fully inclusive (destinations should

not be excluded)5. Application integration (gaming,

smart phones, etc.)

1. Economic development2. Better experience for both visitors and residents3. Strengthens community pride and unity4. Safety through more “eyes of the street”

resulting from increased pedestrian activity5. Improved health through promotion of an active

lifestyle

Key Features

Expected Benefits

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________________________________________________________________________

_____

Champion one of these proposals, or one you create.

Find a way to get your project started in a small, but concrete way.

Learn about projects that may impact your neighborhood, like the ones in the Background Information section here. Go to City department websites and see if you can get involved.

Call 311 to determine what permits need to be obtained or laws abided by.

Look for groups, that may provide support, like Friends of the Urban Forest—www.fuf.net

Use the web to generate funding via grants, fundraising or crowdfunding—like kickstarter.com

Recruit your neighbors to participate, like the Steering Committee did.

Discover City programs that may help you achieve your goals, like the Pavement to Parks program—sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org

Step 1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 3

Mix up these steps!

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Getting Around

WHERE WE ARE

CONCEPTS

PROPOSALS

NEXT STEPS





This theme is all about mobility and access for getting into, out of, and around the neighborhood. This is something that everyone is affected by. This is also a good place to talk about safety concerns that affect whether and how people move about.

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• Good transit line with lots of connections and frequent

• Easy access to Great Highway• Good school safety signage and

safe for pedestrians• Safe for walking at night• Very easy and close to walk to

beach, park, etc.• Streets are mostly flat• Safe to walk at night• Free parking

What’s Working!

Could Be Better• Transit could be more frequent—it is often

delayed, and only limited public transit options• Unclear signage for where N-Judah stops are; no

waiting areas or shelters, mostly flag stops• Noise from turnaround and from Great Highway• Need more bike parking and bike racks• Need more bike lanes• Taxis don’t come out and few car share options• Wheelchair accessibility for train and to beach• Uneven sidewalks and missing curb ramps • Road surfaces in disrepair• Need better street lighting• Cars park on sidewalk• Traffic safety at the turnaround• Dangerous crossing Lincoln Way into GG Park• Speeding down 48th, La Playa, Sunset, etc.

New brick-style paving for La Playa Street crosswalk

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More ideas:Reconfiguration of the N Judah tracks for safety. Increased frequency of public transit. Traffic lights for safety. A Muni shelter so people have a place to sit and know when the next train is coming. A pedestrian-friendly turnaround. Crosswalks should be glowing fluorescent green.


• Curb ramps everywhere and a disability ramp for Muni at the 45th Ave, 43rd Ave, and

• Wheelchair access to beach—boardwalk or platform• Repair uneven sidewalks; encourage homeowners

to fix the walks in front of their homes.• Enforce no parking on sidewalks

Access & Accessibility:

Traffic safety:• Better crosswalks, traffic humps, or stop signs at:

- all along Lincoln at the park - at Kirkham & La Playa - 44th & Judah

• Block streets to through traffic• Completely divert traffic from the turnaround area on Judah• Divert traffic off La Playa Street onto Lower Great Highway• Redesign the Lower Great Highway so its 25 mph speed limit

is better reflected.• Re-time the lights on Sunset Blvd to discourage speeding• Cobblestone materials near the turnaround to slow cars

• Change N-Judah to cross-over—use circle for emergency parking only to eliminate noise and dangerous blind spot

• Higher frequency for N-Judah, express, and #18 bus• Reconnect #18 and #29 buses to GGNRA and GG Transit• Add bus shelter and bus schedule at turn-around• Add a sign to MUNI bathroom pointing to boarding location• Bus zones instead of flag stops

Transit:

• More bike parking, bike lanes and bike sharing• More car sharing opportunities• Widen sidewalks• Bigger “No Parking” signs• Streetlights on La Playa (but dark-sky friendly)• Create a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team

cache box to prepare for disasters and emergencies• Keep trees on Great Highway to block sound

Other:• Stack (dense) housing units near transit to reduce housing market pressure

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When the Great Highway is closed due to the wind and sand encroachment, many automobiles are diverted to neighborhood streets. By providing more detailed “detour” signage, cars will be directed onto Sunset Blvd instead.

1. Install clear “detour” signage to direct cars from the Great Highway onto Sunset Blvd.

1. Solve problems with speeding and traffic safety

2. Improve traffic flow and driver navigation

3. Increase safety for community members along residential streets

Key Features

Expected Benefits

____________________________________________________________________________________

_

Great Highway Safety Signage

DETOUR

Use Sunset Blvd.

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The N-Judah Turnaround is effectively the “gateway” to Ocean Beach but cars currently speed through the neighborhood. Make the Lower Great Highway area feel more like a residential street by encouraging through traffic to abide by the 25mph speed limit.

1. Bulb outs/curb extensions

2. Speed bumps3. Trees, landscaping4. Other traffic calming

measures

1. Solve safety issues with surfers unloading and cars speeding through the neighborhood.

2. Enhance safety by slowing traffic

3. Create a sense of place4. Improve livability

Key Features

Expected Benefits

____________________________________________________________________________________

_

Lower Great Highway Place-making and Traffic Calming

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Many cyclists and cars run the existing stop signs at the intersection of 45th and Lincoln. Add a flashing stop light and repair the ramps at this intersection to restore ADA accessibility.

1. A new stoplight at 45th Ave and Lincoln Way

2. Repairs to wheelchair ramps to make ADA accessible

3. Repaint red curb corner

1. Increase safety for community and nearby playground (where there have been two fatalities)

2. Restore ADA acces-sibility to intersection and park entrance

Safety and Accessibility Improvements at the 45th & Lincoln Intersection

Key Features

Expected Benefits

____________________________________________________________________________________

_

Westbound view of intersection

Eastbound view of intersection

Northbound view of intersection

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________________________________________________________________________

_____



Learn about projects that may impact your neighborhood. Go to City department websites and see if you can get involved. Read about pedestrian and bicycle improvements at www.pedbikeinfo.org


Look for groups, that may provide support, like your local business association or NERT team.




Mix up these steps!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 3

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Things to Do and Visit

WHERE WE ARE

CONCEPTS

PROPOSALS

NEXT STEPS





This theme is all about the experiences and activities that enliven and enrich the neighborhood. They are what get people out of their house to visit a place, come together, and spend time with their neighbors.

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• Parklets, outdoor gathering places• 43rd & Lincoln playground• Pet-friendly people and businesses• Socializing near the turnaround with

coffee shops and park; bocce ball• Unique commercial strip and stores• Parks and opportunity to experience

nature, birds, beach, ocean• Surfing and beach town culture• Youth center, schools, local churches• Pathway to run and bike along beach

What’s Working!

Could Be Better• Not enough retail or business diversity• Really need to rehab restrooms and

make them safe• No good signage for destinations or way-

finding or history• Better signage about nature• Dog leashes not enforced• More picnic areas• Better community outreach to 55+• No bathroom at 45th/Lincoln playground• Liquor sales and homeless

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More ideas:A circular, pyramid-esque bleachers. Neighbor outreach. A dog park. A pit BBQ shack. A community garden. A weekly Farmers Market. Public space with a gazebo, community garden, native plants or veggies. Child and family friendly structures or natural playscapes. A piazza with some greenery, a bench, and a public porch. A long and tall chalkboard to draw on. A people friendly space that encourages community and social capital. Art in Every Classroom.


New experiences:• More neighborhood get togethers:

- have a huge block party!• Better signage to direct people between

Murphy’s Mill, Ocean Beach, La Playa, merchants on Judah, etc.

• Pedestrian signage to direct people to local commercial establishments, hotels, playgrounds, and bathrooms.

• Add a visitor’s center/kiosk with information, history, and a bulletin board (Noe Valley has a good example of a bulletin board)

• Create a western SF History Center/Museum inside the bottom of Murphy’s Mill or the building next to it

• Community-focused center/museum• Celebrate the surf culture• Celebrate the fog and exposure to the ocean

as an escape and destination• Promote activities in the area as an

educational field trip for schools• Webcam to highlight neighborhood activities• Outer Sunset Farmers Market concept

New neighborhood development:• More diversity in businesses:

- hardware store - pet store - seafood café - bike rental

• Rehab Eugene’s garage into something: - bike rental shop, bike parking - produce market - BBQ station - plant nursery - community space/flexible use

• Figure out option for 43rd Ave school annex: - tennis court - community garden - farmers market

• Re-install newspaper stands• Restaurant or similar on Lincoln @ Great

Highway (to buy and take into park or beach)

Other:• Better, safer public bathrooms at beach, playground• Trash, recycling, and compost options and signage

for tourists to learn how• Engage with youth center

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1. New bathroom2. Community information center3. An emergency support center4. “La Playa Park Depot” mural5. A sign directing passengers to muni

boarding on 48th & Judah6. Improved ADA access

La Playa Community Information Depot

Turn the MUNI bathroom corner into a community resource center.

1. Establishes neighborhood identity2. Provides information on environmental

awareness and protection 3. Tourist attraction4. Improves handicapped safety and access 5. Directs MUNI passengers to correct

boarding location6. Improves neighborhood disaster

preparedness 7. Increases neighborhood access to

information

Expected Benefits

Key Features

________________________________________________________________________

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Create a La Playa Park Business District and implement several associated improvements.

1. New business district from 43rd Ave to La Playa St

2. New ADA access ramp for N-Judah riders at 43rd Ave

3. Community-focused business on corner of Eugene’s lot (e.g. bicycle, segway, zipcar rental)

4. Community garden at Presbyterian church5. More “street friendly” store-fronts (46th Ave

to beach)6. Improved bathrooms, visitor’s center with

information about GGNRA, and improved beach access

1. Strengthen businesses along corridor2. A more inviting and accessible space for

residents and visitors3. Builds on La Playa Park business

association (extends to Sunset and potentially includes Irving St)

La Playa Business District

Key Features

Expected Benefits ____________________________________________________________________________________

_

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Learn about projects that may impact your neighborhood, like the ones in the Background Information section here. Go to City department websites and see if you can get involved.


Don’t forget to keep talking about the proposal that gets you most excited, and keep looking for ways to improve your proposal

Look for groups, that may provide support, like your local business association or NERT team.




Step 1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 3

Mix up these steps!

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Description:

Proposal Name:

Key Features

Expected Benefits

Draw a map, figure, or sketch:

Don’t like the other proposals? Make your own, then share it.

Go to njudahproject.org to see how you can share you ideas or get in touch with people working on the project.

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Description:

Proposal Name:

Key Features

Expected Benefits

Draw a map, figure, or sketch:

Don’t like the other proposals? Make your own, then share it.

Go to njudahproject.org to see how you can share you ideas or get in touch with people working on the project.

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Other ways to get involved.

Send your ideas you wrote down in this this report to [email protected], or just share them with people you know.

Keep having conversations with your neighbors.

Really, talk to your neighbors. Get to know them and find out what you both care about in the neighborhood.

Reach out to those whose voice may be getting left out, especially under-represented groups like monolingual Cantonese-speakers or local youth.

Go for a walk through the area. Stop and take note of things you haven’t noticed before.

Educate yourself about efforts locally and nationally, like SF Better Streets, SF Green Connections, and the Project for Public Spaces (www.pps.org)

Demand that other civic projects provide a higher level of transparency and involvement before proposals are advanced to implementation.

Share this report with your neighbors!

Report brought to you by

The Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN) is a collaborative comprised of city agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. NEN leverages strategic partnerships to develop programs, as well as a suite of tools and technical resources for neighborhood stakeholders. Through the Empowered Communities Program, NEN supports communities like yours in building stronger, more resilient neighbor-hoods through collective problem solving.

City Hall Fellows (CHF) engages diverse, talented young people in the work of cities and empowers them to be effective local change agents and civic leaders. In the year-long CHF program, recent college graduates function as full-time city employees and take part in leadership develop-ment activities. The Fellows also complete pro bono civic consulting projects like assisting the N Judah Turnaround Beautification project as a way to directly impact their local community.

www.cityhallfellows.org www.empowersf.org

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Project brought to you by

This project would not be possible without the tremendous support of these organizations.

N Judah Beautification Project Final Report

Design

Transcript of N Judah Beautification Project Final Report