NOPA Gets a New Parklet on Fulton Street

New Parklet on Fulton in front of Tsunami Sushi Panhandle and Cafe Abir

Continuous benches and planting with concrete pavers the full length

Two, possibly, three new bike racks to be installed (the one in photo will be moved)

Ron Stanford (l) and Evan Bowman (r) of Step 3 Studio, contractor for the parklet

The North Panhandle's second parklet is under construction with completion expected within the next several days. Located on Fulton at Divisadero in front of the busy Cafe Abir and Tsunami Sushi Panhandle, the parklet replaces two parking spaces and provides a long, continuous bench for outdoor seating. Movable tables and chairs will be positioned on the smooth, concrete pavers that expand the normally crowded sidewalk. Another feature of the Fulton parklet design is the addition of a built-up corners for an enhanced sense of protection from traffic.

Ron Stanford, founder of the San-Francisco based collective Step 3 Studio, obtained the contract for the city's latest parklet, following his construction of the Greenhouse at the Hayes Valley Farm. He said the permit and approval process had been relatively easy.

It took six to eight weeks. A few people in the area expressed concern about the removal of two parking spaces, but no one officially objected so we didn't need to go to a public hearing.

An unexpected complication for parklet construction came with restrictions against using Brazilian hardwood for the planters and bench. (Harvesting Brazilian hardwoods is linked to depletion of the country's rain forest and exploitation of laborers). Stanford explained the difficulty he has encountered.

The city decided to no longer permit the hardwood. The other options -- redwood and cedar -- are too soft for a public project. We ended up importing compressed bamboo from China. Unfortunately, our container of bamboo was one randomly selected for close inspection, and it's still sitting in port.

Stanford said they were eager to get the product, finish the planters, and start adding the aromatic Tuscan rosemary, lavenders and succulents to the boxes.

The Fulton parklet is the first of dozens to follow now that the city's phase of demonstration projects has concluded. NOPA's first parklet outside Mojo Bicycle Cafe on Divisadero was among the first demonstration projects.

SF Great Streets Launches Block Party Guide: First of Monthly Series of Tips for Transforming Streets

Last year's bike-themed block party in NOPA

Potlucks, kids play, neighbors mingling: all in the block party mix

The San Francisco Great Streets Project has given city residents a spring-time gift: a new guide with tips and tricks for how to throw a block party. With Sunday Streets fervor in our midst -- 9 open street celebrations this year, including one this Sunday on the Great Highway -- neighbors are starting to think about special events on their own blocks. This new party guide gets them started and introduces them to the formal process of applying for a permit in the friendliest of ways. The new four-page publication includes a nod to North Panhandle neighbors: several photos from NOPA's BIKE THE BLOCK party* last year are featured. Take a look at the guide here (it's a pdf document).

The party pamphlet is the first in a monthly series called the "Great Streets Guide" that will provide residents with the tools needed to transform local streets. The Great Streets program is already a crucial partner in San Francisco's "Pavement to Parks" program that recently installed the parklet on Divisadero in front of the Mojo Bicycle Cafe. Great Streets works with the SF Bicycle Coalition, the Livable Streets Initiative, SPUR, and PPS, the Project for Public Spaces. Kit Hodge, director of Great Streets, wrote in an email that she "sincerely hopes this guide will help clarify the process for people throughout San Francisco."

The new initiative focuses on block parties as essential building blocks for communities to experience the varied uses of our public spaces. As noted in the announcement, "Block parties are low-key and local, and they're a great opportunity to turn your street into a fun, safe play area for kids -- or anyone." Cindy Shamban, SFMTA administrator for special events and permits, is excited to have the new guide. "This will help people think about block parties in clear and concise ways. I hope it will help people get the most out of their events." The pamphlet is intended as a supplement to the official permit application process.

A word to wise party planners: the sooner you start planning your own block party, the lower the permit fee and the easier the process. Why not talk to your neighbors about it this weekend?

* If you're interested in a bike-themed block party, take a look at this BIKE NOPA post from last year.

"There's A Giant Hole in the Street": SF Bike Coalition Launches "Turn 'Em In" Campaign

Click to enlarge

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition believes cyclists are buzzed about too many cool events this year to tolerate bikeways that are pitted, cracked, bumpy and dangerous. Sunday Streets, new bike lanes, bike corrals, parklets, bike sharrows, protected lanes on Market Street -- it's all happening or expected in a few months. No one wants nasty potholes to ruin the fun, so today SFBC launched a month-long campaign to challenge all 11,500 of its members to "Turn 'Em In."

In today's announcement, SFBC urged cyclists to "be their own hero of the bike lane":

"Is there a pothole you pass every day on your bike ride in to work? Do you dodge a rough spot in the road every trip to the grocery store? The time is now to pull over, get out your phone, and call 311 to report that hazard using the "SFBC" tag."

To inspire all cyclists, SFBC partnered with Family Style artists Jonas Madden-Connor and Francois Vigneault "to show just how easy it is for you to get the smooth ride you deserve." Every Tuesday morning a new installation will appear on the SFBC Good Roads Campaign website and several other sites (including BIKE NOPA). Be sure to check back to find out: "What will happen to our bicycling heroine? Will the hero be able to save her bike lane?"

Email Neal at SFBC if you have any questions, and join the superhero action by reporting the hazards to 311 now. Don't forget to say that "SFBC" sent you!

Ride with NOPA VELO, SUNDAY March 28th

Haven't taken a NOPA VELO ride yet? You missed out on Patty/Tania Hearst and the Duel-t0-Death Re-enactment that gave Broderick Street it's name. But, hey, how about joining Julie/Maria and the rest of us riding the "peaks of NOPA"? We might be stretching the "Climb Every Mountain" aspect but we do include (as an option for hardy spinners) Lone Mountain just to the west of NOPA.

We meet-up at at 9:30 am at Apollo Coffee at Divisadero and Turk. Get powered up with some fine coffee or drinks and morning carbs. Manaf, the exceedingly friendly owner of Apollo, is looking forward to our group stopping by. Kick-off at 10 a.m. We'll make the ride safe and smooth and mostly easy; a few moderate climbs included.

After Alamo Square Park, the Buena Vista foothills, Parnassus Heights for the best view, and a walk or bike climb up Lone Mountain, we'll roll down to the hugely popular Divisadero Farmer's Market where all sorts of treats wait for us. Say hello to Dmitrius, market manager, and to Seni and Ryan, the great guys at SF-Grill for sandwiches you have to try. (They've also reserved three tables and seating for us). Or try Juicy-Lucy right across from the grill for a good cool-down smoothie. Pastries, fruits, nuts, Mojo coffee on the spot.

Take a stroll down the block a bit and see if you can snag a table at the new, hot parklet in front of Mojo Bicycle Cafe...or at least see what all the buzz is about.

For more information: Lenore @ 415-300-6744; lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join NOPA-VELO Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/nopa-velo

Heavy rain cancels ride. All level riders welcome.

Kids on their own bike OK if with adult guardian.

Challenge to NOPA neighbors: can you name that block of houses in the poster above?

City Celebrates First Parklet, 100 Gather on Divisadero

Leela Gill, former president of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association

More than 100 neighbors, city officials, and livability advocates gathered on Divisadero Street today to launch and celebrate San Francisco's first "parklet," a miniature version of the Pavement-to-Parks projects being developed in the city. Mayor Gavin Newsom hailed the installation of the sidewalk extension as well as the nearly completed Divisadero makeover with the new landscaping, median, lighting, and street paving. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi recalled that when he first took office in 2005 he predicted that Divisadero would be the "comeback kid corridor" and now that appears to be the case. "This 44 foot template is a pilot for projects that others will want in their neighborhoods," Mirkarimi suggested, establishing a new prediction with its fulfillment already in the works. Another parklet is expected to be completed in three weeks in the Mission district.

Ed Reiskin, Director of the Department of Public Works, praised the work of Synergy Construction and city staff for completing the Divisadero revitalization seven months ahead of schedule. He added that he was pleased to see the new mini-park in the North Panhandle. "My daughter goes to school two blocks from here, I ride the 24 Divisadero nearly every day, and bike through the neighborhood," he said. Rijad Ghannam, of RG-Architecture, who provided pro bono services for the design of the parklet, touted the inspiration that he feels from working on the project. "No one ever said 'Meet me at the two non-descript blocks in front of Mojo,' but now this space will be a destination."

The installation of the mini-park involved a collaboration of several city departments and the Mayor and Supervisor's office with solid input and guidance from the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Great Streets Project as well. Volunteers from the SFBC program provided essential assistance for the installation, even during a drenching rain last Friday.

With expectation of fine media coverage elsewhere today -- this was one well-covered event! -- BIKE NOPA is focusing on the remarks of former NOPNA President, Leela Gill. Leela especially praised the collaboration of NOPNA, the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, and the Divisadero Merchants Association.

Find a good reason or none at all and take a relaxing break at NOPA's first parklet!

Mojo Bicycle Cafe's Remy Nelson and Divisadero's New Parklet

Sommer Peterson, (l), president of Divisadero Merchants Assoc., and Remy Nelson

Sunshine makes it all even better

Much-needed bike parking along Divisadero

Cooperative effort brings San Francisco's first parklet to NOPA

This morning Mayor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, other elected officials, livability advocates, Divisadero merchants, and neighborhood leaders will celebrate the city's first "parklet" outside Mojo Bicycle Cafe. Newsom previously described the mini-pavement-to-parks initiative as a chance to "slow down the day" and allow people to "pause and reflect and connect with one another." For Remy Nelson, owner of the hot spot cafe on the busy Divisadero corridor, those ideals led him to devote the last three years to get to this point.

On a warm, sunny afternoon earlier this week, Remy recalled for BIKE NOPA how the cafe and bike shop came to be and why it had to be on Divisadero. We sat outdoors in front of the cafe but not on the new sidewalk extension, the parklet -- it was already filled with neighbors and customers chatting, reading, and texting with cups of coffee nearby.

"It all sort of started when John and I were sitting at Zeitgeist several years ago," Remy said, referring to John McDonnell, co-founder of Mojo Bicycle Cafe and one of the operation's top-notch mechanics. "We thought wouldn't it be cool to have a place like that and repair bikes for customers too." Remy completed his college studies and began his career as a hydrologist working for a large corporation. He was living at Grove and Broderick Streets then, but he wasn't happy with his everyday routine. "I got tired of the commute, the setting was too corporate," he explained, "and I didn't like never seeing how my work affected anyone."

Remy left the corporate world and the neighborhood to travel for a year in 2004. After he returned to San Francisco, a casual conversation with his dad about his plans for the future led to thoughts of starting his own business. "I thought wouldn't it be cool to be a good boss and make a difference." A realtor friend of his dad's found the building where Mojo Cafe is today. "I told them it had to be on Divisadero." Remy had returned to the North Panhandle neighborhood, and it was important to him to locate his business nearby.

The building, located on the west side of the street between Hayes and Grove, originally had a plumbing store in its storefront and later a beauty parlor and an architect's office. "It needed a lot of work," Remy recalled. "We put a year and a half into the remodeling." (Photos of the cafe and remodeling here). Today Remy says he had no idea what he was doing, but he was the architect and the project manager for the project and steered the work through all the bumps along the way, including the maze of city permits. "I thought 'how do I do the next three steps? Let me get those done and then I'll see what's next." Mojo Bicycle Cafe opened in 2007 just as a revitalized Divisadero corridor was in the works.

Both Remy and John brought related experience to Mojo. John was previously the manager of the Pacific Bike Shop on Geary Street, and, for awhile, Remy worked for him as a mechanic. Remy also undertook a cross-country bike tour and served as the mechanic for 120 other cyclists. Although he hadn't operated a business before, he had racked up a lot of experience managing people during his corporate stint.

Remy also serves as vice-president of the Divisadero Merchants Association, a group that has helped encourage new businesses on the street as well as the makeover near completion today. "I think it's fun to work with the board," Remy remarked, "but I'd like to see more cohesion among the merchants on the street."

As for today's focus on the new sidewalk extension, Remy said the main reason the wooden platform, the landscaping, and the bike racks are outside his business is because it is a good location with a cooperative business willing to maintain the space. Remy also brought to the project his work with the merchants' group, his involvement with NOPNA, the neighborhood association, and early, collaborative relationships with Supervisor Mirkarimi and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. " But Remy emphasized that anyone can sit a spell at the new mini-park, "even if you bring your coffee from somewhere else."

Remy gives a lot of credit to the city for making it all happen so quickly with cooperation from the Mayor's office, the Planning Department, the Public Utilities Commission,and the Department of Public Works, the SFBC Great Streets Project, and the generosity of RG Architecture, Bison Deck Supports, Flora Grubb Gardens, and dozens of volunteers. "Just a few months ago," Remy recalled, "Ross (Mirkarimi) pulled everyone together and said let's do it." And they did. Stop by the cafe today for the mayor's press conference at 11:30 and linger awhile "to slow down the day."

City's First "Parklet" Comes to NOPA: Construction To Be Completed This Week at Mojo Bicycle Cafe

Workers assemble platform and support for sidewalk extension at Mojo Bicycle Cafe

Temporary sidewalk extension, 40 ft x 7 ft, for cafe seating, planters, and bike parking

Rijad Ghannan of RG Architecture is donating his services for the trial extension

The installation of San Francisco's first "parklet" will be competed today or tomorrow in front of Mojo Bicycle Cafe on Divisadero Street. As part of a six-month experiment, two parking spaces will be transformed into a raised sidewalk-level wooden deck with cafe seating, planter boxes, and parking for six bikes. On Thursday and Friday of this week construction crews placed the wooden tiles and supports in place with Rijad Ghannan supervising the work. His firm, RG Architecture, is providing its services gratis to the project. Ghannan is a former board member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and brings his appreciation for biking and innovative design to the project.

The expanded sidewalk installation at Mojo is part of the city's "Pavement to Parks" program which experiments with diverse uses for public spaces. Other projects have been larger in size such as the 17th and Castro intersection which now features tables and chairs instead of car traffic. The much smaller installation at Mojo Cafe will be assessed after six months. If successful, the permit for its operation can be extended another six months. For more information and images of the Mojo project, check the coverage here in Streetsblog.