Comments on: Market Street Pilot is an Encouraging Move by Mayor Newsom

By: Karoline

Karoline — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:24:23 +0000

Thanks for doing this, Gavin! I’m excited to see what happens.

By: CSB

CSB — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:28:47 +0000

To fully realize and test the positive impacts of a car-free Market Street, they are going to have to shut down more than just 2 blocks. It would be great if politicians in our city [and entire country for that matter] would stop going 30% “just to see”, you’ve really got to COMMIT to the execution of a plan.

By: ZA

ZA — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:40:24 +0000

Suggestion: shop for the 6 weeks of the pilot test in that area of Market St, and make sure you tell the merchants you are there to support these improvements to Market.

You’ve got the following breakfast/lunch selections for you and your coworkers:
- At least 3 donut place
- At least 2 taquerias
- At least 2 pizza joints
- At least 3 sandwich shops
- At least 1 juice place
- At least 2 burger places
- At least 2 Chinese food sites
- At least 1 Brazilian meat place

(burn the grease on a ride later)

…and a handful of clothing stores. (too bad those pool halls are gone, I think)

And that’s only along Market Street itself, when there isn’t the Farmers Market.

If only 1% of bicycling commuters on Market St stopped over for a doughnut or a banana, it’ll make a good impression, and its something almost all of us can afford.

By: CBrinkman

CBrinkman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:38:27 +0000

Happy and hopeful that will make Market St better for cyclists, peds, transit riders, and merchants. I am getting so tired of being bullied by car drivers on Market St.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:24:11 +0000

It’s nice they’re trying out a test project, rather than have it be picked to death by the “what ifs” and “this is gonnas” and other ways we talk stuff down. If it seems to work, great and if not then we move on and do something else. What a noble concept!

By: Fran Taylor

Fran Taylor — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:43:29 +0000

“Kit Hodge, Director of the Great Streets Project for the SFBC, said that some of the more reticent stakeholders concerned about the traffic changes got on board with the project when the Mayor’s office broadened the scope to include quality-of-life issues.”

Uh-oh. I’m all for the proposed changes, but Newsom’s been around long enough for us to know that “quality-of-life issues” means let’s sweep the human trash out of sight of the tourists, office workers, and easily offended people who matter. The vilification of poor people in San Francisco has been a major obstacle to the kind of social gathering spaces advocated by Jan Gehl and the Penalosa brothers. The first concern when such spaces are proposed is, How do we keep certain people out?

I’m not suggesting that the Great Streets or TA folks share this sentiment, but it has been a theme of Newsom’s political career. We need to watch these developments very closely, lest valid streetscape improvements be used as an excuse to crack down on unsightly residents who don’t fit in with the new image.

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:09:20 +0000

2013 before they repave?!!!! There will be no road left by that time! The potholes grow on a daily basis and some of the manhole covers are actually sinking into the street. I am happy to see the City finally looking at something creative and constructive about finally tackling Market street, but letting the street crumble further…. it makes me think that the future vision that SF holds for its self is to be Roman era- crumbling and picturesque but completely unusable. Next thing you know, Market street will be like the Leaning Tower of Pisa- held up with ropes and winches and a prayer.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:32:22 +0000

How about a series of mixed-use high rises along mid-Market? If done right, it would turn the area around while helping the local economy.

-2 levels of retail
-10 levels of housing
-10 levels of office space

By: mikesonn

mikesonn — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:01 +0000

That has to be one of the more annoying right turns around. I’ll probably have to deal with it tonight on the 30/45 heading back to North Beach. Cars are always cutting off the bus and end up waiting the whole light for the pedestrians to clear the intersection.

By: Richard Mlynarik

Richard Mlynarik — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:47:07 +0000

A positive development somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area?
It can’t possibly last!
Think of the children/merchants/disabled/Chinatown/Golden Gate Restaurant Association/Rob Anderson/tourists!

PS NO RIGHT TURN from Third ONTO Market!