We’ve been following the progress on San Francisco’s Castro Street as they widen the sidewalks – the last time here in October 2014. Last week, it seemed to be pretty much finished, with the addition of trees, public art and street furniture – notably abundant bike racks.
.
.
As well, the parklets on and off Market Street have provided more seating space and breathing room:
.
Reviews welcome from any San Franciscans and/or PT readers who have experienced the area before and after.
I’ve been through the Castro every couple of months as the streetscape has been changing which has given me an interesting “stop motion” animated view. On the surface the changes add the kind of amenity we all now reflexively call a “good pedestrian environment”. Underneath, though, the grittiness and jumble that gave the old Castro streetscape a special vitality has been pretty much erased. It will be interesting if it comes back in the way the spaces are used. But then again, with the rise in affluence and political influence of the gay community coupled with the end of AIDS as we knew it, perhaps the new streetscape is a better reflection of the new normal.
What’s with the planters blocking the streetcar tracks?
Looks to me like a gate with planters on it (i.e., the gate can open if needed)… but I could be wrong.