Parklet Proposal

About the Parklet Design Features:

Sitting on the checker board tile side there are 3 interactive features: the tubes on bench are a heat source, it turns on when you sit: the swirling totum is the dragon guard between Latin quarter and chinatown. it also serves

as a temporary public art display for homeless artists who leave bits around north beach; the back rest of the bench is molded of the sitting

backs of local people, famous and infamous.

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The camera cross circles side is in full shade

all the time. The bench tubes heat up when

you sit on them: when you sit in front of the camera cross marks movies start playing on

silent. The opportunity to show case local film

is infinite. The back rest is also molded backs o

of local folks.

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Mission and goals

 

The proposed parklet will be located at the intersection of Kearny and Columbus Streets, which intersect at a sharp angle; it will be a “split” parklet: one part on the Kearny side, and the other on Columbus Avenue.

 

• Re-vitalize the old “Latin Quarter and firmly make The Sentinel Building

       its center

 

• The split parklet will help unify five neighborhoods: North Beach, Chinatown, the Financial District, Broadway Corridor, and historic Manilatown.

• It will be a much-needed resting point for the elderly walking to and from Portsmouth Square.

 

• It will be an artistic hub, bringing in the local resident community of filmmakers, poets, writers focused on Music, Creativity and Friendliness.

• It will integrate the transient tourist population and the long-term residents.

 

• Improve pedestrian safety by slowing traffic at the intersection, and improve the temperature at this windy corner through the shelter provided by the parklet’s furnishings and landscaping.

 

Description of the location

 

The anchor of the location is the Zoetrope Café, the past epicenter of the Latin Quarter.  The upper floors of the building are occupied by art-related businesses, filmmakers, writers and poets.

There is heavy motor traffic at this corner of Kearny Street (one-way northbound, 3 lanes) and Columbus Street, (2 lanes each way).

Nearby are several educational or cultural institutions: San Francisco City College Chinatown Branch, City College Culinary Academy, the City Lights bookstore, historic Portsmouth Square, the Beat Museum, and I Hotel Historic Center, and more.

There are active SROs nearby, public housing, I Hotel, with a mostly senior population; the area is an epicenter of restaurant and night workers who walk to and from transportation hubs.

 

Project vision

 

The overarching vision of this parklet is re-vitalize the old Latin Quarter to interact with the people who use them through a variety of experiences, discovered over time and regular use.

The Sentinel Building location is a place of stories, historic events, and diverse fascinating individuals. The core San Francisco Parklet goal is to strengthen and build community on a daily basis, and resist growing alienation, triggered by large-scale changes in the city; to provide a sense of ownership to the residents using this public space on a daily basis.

 

The split-parklet will help brighten this area, to encourage people to continue past Broadway Avenue northeast, to provide a resting point for pedestrians; and it will serve as outdoor space for the nearby educational institutions.

 

Kearny Street will feature seating areas with visual art, curated on a long-term or a short-term basis; elements will symbolize gateways between neighborhoods. Landscaping will provide a visual barrier and some wind protection.

 

Columbus Avenue receives little sunshine: there will be a warming element. The parklet will feature a visual “pull” to bring tourists to visit not only the parklet but also the nearby businesses. The proposed design will have “secret” elements, only known by locals and that can be shared with tourists.

Maintenance will be coordinated with SF Better Streets, paid by the parklet sponsor.