Case Study #12 for UTCM Report #08-14-03 "Making Mobility Improvements a Community Asset: Transportation Improvements Using Context-Sensitive Solutions"

1. Project 12
Central Freeway (US 101) Replacement
and
Octavia-Market Neighborhood Plan
San Francisco, California
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2. Freeway Replacement
 Resulted from 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
 Caltrans established improved seismic requirements for
elevated freeways
 North end demolished
 Remainder: demolish or reconstruct
Source: http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2248&context=ced/places 2

3. Freeway Replacement
 1989-98: City, Caltrans, SFCTA sought acceptable solution
 Multiple public referenda
 Finally decided to:
 Demolish freeway north of Market
 Build boulevard Market to Fell
 Improve street geometrics, operations
 Reconstruct freeway south of Market
Source:
Google Maps
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4. Freeway Replacement Project
 Develop community-led plans
 Market-Fell connector boulevard
 Neighborhood plan
 Expected redevelopment
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2007/01/03/BAG4VNBUJM1.DTL&o=2 4

5. CSS Approach - Connector
 Central Freeway Task Force
 Project objectives, concept
 Extensive citizen involvement
 Design concept features
 Landscaping
 Tree selection
 Sidewalk textures
 Parking configurations
 Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) – stakeholders
 Agencies
 Advocates
 Architects
 Others
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6. CSS Features - Connector
 6-lane tree-lined multi-way boulevard
 4 central lanes
 2 access lanes with parking
Octavia Blvd. typical cross-section. Source:
http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2248&context=ced/places
 Extensive median landscaping
 Ped/bike provisions
 Traffic dispersal via street grid
 Park
 Architectural design control (new buildings) 6

7. Connector Results
 Unique street for city
 Award-winning project
 Community pride
 Highly desirable neighborhood
 Elevated freeway removed
Source: http://www.sfgov.org/site/sfdpw_page.asp?id=32258 7

8. Neighborhood Plan
 Expanded to larger
area Former freeway
right of way
 Expected to change
due to freeway
removal
Octavia Blvd.
 Would become much Octavia Blvd.
more desirable
 Positive impact
Source: San Francisco Planning Department
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9. CSS Approach
 Many stakeholder groups
 Residents
 Businesses
 Property owners
 At least 15 workshops
 Objectives
 Concepts
 Options
 Zoning
 Impacts
 Implementation
 Multi-disciplinary planning team
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10. Outcomes
 “Transit first”/TOD concept
 Discourages auto use
 Encourages walk, bike
 Restores former street grid
 New zoning
 High density near transit
 Appropriate uses
 Streetscaping, open spaces
 Parking cap
 Active block faces
 Height rather than density limits
 RFP process to see former
ROW parcels Source: San Francisco Planning Department
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