Comments on: Unlocking San Francisco’s Privately Owned Public Open Spaces

By: Jeremy Brooks

Jeremy Brooks — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:59:48 +0000

Great resource, thanks! I've been considering a photo essay of SF's public open spaces.

By: john bela

john bela — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:08:06 +0000

Mint Plaza is in another category of somewhat similar spaces: Publicly-owned, privately-managed public space. Mint plaza was created by shutting down a portion of Jessie street to vehicles and turning it into a pedestrian plaza. Technically DPW owns the street right of way but a CBD comprised of adjacent building owners pays for operation and maintenance of the plaza. Because of its public ownership the issue of one's first amendment rights is guaranteed; however; the presence of private security circumscribes behavior. Nonetheless, how many public spaces in San Francisco provide movable seating, a range of food and beverage options, and are regularly frequented by both the down and out and the up and coming? I think the public-ownership private-management scenario at Mint makes it a successful space.

By: John C

John C — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:41:09 +0000

Is Mint Plaza (where the new Blue Bottle is) also one of these types of spaces? I see random chairs, and they have a bike rack tucked away across from BB. There's also large concrete thresholds you can sit on, etc.

By: Matt H

Matt H — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Fascinating. Any chance REBAR would come out to the East Bay and make another map? After two years working in downtown Oakland, I found out about the Kaiser rooftop garden, although I still haven't been...

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:30:54 +0000

Maybe you can confirm, but I heard that as part of the deal to build a condominium tower next to the Transamerica POPOS, the space was being deeded to the city Park and Rec, with maintenance paid by the the HOA for the condos. It was second-hand info, however.