CASTRO PLANNER April 2008
Castro CBD to Hold Castro and Upper Market Streetscape Design Workshop April 9
On April 9, the Castro CBD and Urban Ecology will host the first public Streetscape Design Workshop, and all members of the Castro community are invited to participate. The workshop will be held at the LGBT Community Center at 1800 Market Street (at Octavia), room 301, from 6:30 to 8:00.
This Streetscape Design Workshop is an opportunity for CAPA members to speak up for our vision for streets that are safe and welcoming community gathering spaces, especially for the LGBT community and our friends; that reflect the historic significance of the Castro; that support vibrant and varied businesses; and are efficient and useful means of getting around by car, bike, transit or on foot.
What is most exciting is that the CBD intends that the scope of the plan to include major improvements that could include wider sidewalks, street furniture, revisions to traffic patterns and even conversions of traffic lanes to pedestrian space. But it is still important that CAPA members participate in the workshop and support the many elements of a complete street that we have advocated for, including:
· Wider sidewalks and curb bulbs to provide space for street furniture greenery and cafes.
· A coordinated plan for street furniture and trees.
· Public art, historical/cultural markers, and community informational kiosks.
· Better on street parking incorporating updated practices.
· Improved lighting to enhance the nighttime environment, safety, and to highlight landmarks.
· Comfortable bus shelters.
· Separate bike lanes on Market Street and more bike racks.
· Reconfigured intersection of Castro and Market to improve the pedestrian environment, create a plaza, and commemorate the life of Harvey Milk.
· Closing a portion of 17th Street at the F-line terminal to create new space for pedestrians and an improved F-Line terminal and eventually converting the gas station to a vibrant plaza.
· Closure of Muni tunnel portals at Diamond, and improved traffic and pedestrian crossings west of Market.
We hope to see many CAPA members at this event, so make a plan to attend!
Walgreens Looks at Further Expansion on 18th Street
Walgreens Drug Store, which occupies three spaces in the Castro, including two near Castro and 18th Streets, will present their plan for further expansion in to the closed laundromat at 4129 18th Street at the CAPA meeting on April 10. The expansion is intended to allow Walgreens to provide additional counseling and referrals for customers with complex medical regimens, to complement to “specialty” pharmacy in the space next door (and separate from the “general” pharmacy in the main store at 18th and Castro).
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Transit Effectiveness Project: Members reviewed the proposed revisions to Muni service in the Castro, especially the major reconfiguration of service through the intersection of Castro and 18th Streets. The following changes are recommended: (For all proposals, see www.sftep.org)
· 24-Divisadero rerouted onto 24th St. to provide additional service (with the 48-line) to 24th St. BART station.
· The 33-Stanyan would turn at Castro to replace the 24 south of 24th St.
· 37-Corbett would extend from Castro and Market to 18th St. (via 17th and Hartford) to 16th St. BART Station, while no longer serving Church and Market.
· 35-Eureka would terminate at 24th St. and would replace the current 37 route to Buena Vista and Cole Valley.
· The Castro Shuttle would be eliminated, with more trains on the K-Ingleside and M-Oceanview lines for more service overall.
Advantages of proposed changes: Overall, the plan to provide higher speed and more frequent service on selected “Rapid” routes should encourage more transit use and make trips more reliable, fast and comfortable. In the Castro, rerouting of the 33 and 35 lines will add service on Castro between 14th and 24th Sts, with direct service from the Castro to Buena Vista and Cole Valley on 35 line extension, and to BART at 24th St. Provides direct BART connection for high density Upper Market areas served by 37-Corbett.
Disadvantage of proposed changes: Reroutes require two lines to make turns at Castro and 18th St. (including traffic clogging left turns). The 37 reroute to 18th St. adds service on residential Hartford St. Trolley wire would be a abandoned on 18th St., while the reroute of the 24-line requires construction of trolley wire along 24th St.. 37-line riders lose connection to Church and Market which Muni’s own figures show is heavily used (including for grocery shopping).
Recommended Revisions to plan: Additional service on 24th St. can be provided by an extension of the 35 line east to Bart and General Hospital (no new trolley wires required). No change to service on lines 24 and 33 in the Castro (changes may take place at other points on the line). 37-line would continue to serve Church and Market, with a possible extension to 16th St. BART.
The transit Effectiveness Projects plans a public forum on the proposed changes this spring including one at the LGBT Center. Watch for CAPA updates on the project.
AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, April 10, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order/Introductions 7:30 p.m.
2. Walgreens Expansion Todd Horton, Walgreens
3. Streetscape Design Workshop Recap
4. Adjournment 9:00 p.m.