San Francisco is taking decisive action to refresh and revitalize Powell Street, a crucial artery connecting the bustling Powell Street cable car turnaround to the iconic Union Square. Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin have unveiled a $6 million proposal aimed at injecting new life into this vital corridor. The plan encompasses significant capital investments in the Powell Street promenade and dedicated funding to attract businesses to fill vacant storefronts, all as part of a comprehensive strategy to bolster Union Square and accelerate Downtown San Francisco’s economic recovery.
Powell Street, particularly the stretch between Market Street and Geary Boulevard, serves as a primary entry point to the renowned Union Square district. Every day, a significant influx of commuters and tourists emerge from the Powell Street BART and Muni station via Hallidie Plaza, heading north along Powell Street, often alongside San Francisco’s historic cable cars, towards the heart of Union Square. Recognizing the critical role of Powell Street in the overall vibrancy of the downtown area, this initiative seeks to transform this thoroughfare into a compelling destination in its own right, brimming with activity, diverse shopping options, and enticing dining experiences.
Enhancing the Powell Street Promenade Experience
A substantial $4 million is earmarked for comprehensive improvements to the Powell Street promenade. This key component of the revitalization project addresses the aging metallic sidewalk extensions that have surpassed their functional lifespan. The proposal calls for replacing these with a newly designed sidewalk treatment that is simple, elegant, and creates a seamless, widened pedestrian walkway stretching from Market Street to Geary Boulevard. The design philosophy prioritizes highlighting the iconic cable cars and the architectural beauty of Powell Street’s buildings, ensuring these landmarks remain central to the street’s character and appeal. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has already committed $2 million to this project, with an additional $2 million anticipated from the Mayor’s forthcoming budget to fully fund these essential promenade upgrades.
Public-Private Partnership to Revitalize Powell Street Storefronts
Complementing the promenade enhancements, a dedicated fund of $2 million will be deployed through a public-private partnership model to aggressively address storefront vacancies along Powell Street. These funds are strategically designed to incentivize and facilitate the establishment of up to ten new businesses in currently empty retail spaces. The financial support could be leveraged to assist new tenants with the often-substantial costs associated with tenant improvements or to provide direct subsidies covering other critical start-up expenses. Importantly, these funds will be disbursed once a landlord and prospective tenant have reached a preliminary agreement on lease terms, ensuring a collaborative and effective approach to filling vacancies and diversifying the retail landscape of Powell Street.
Powell Street’s Role in Broader Downtown Recovery Efforts
This Powell Street initiative is not an isolated effort but rather a key component of a larger, coordinated strategy to invigorate Union Square and Downtown San Francisco. It aligns with broader legislative measures championed by Mayor Breed and President Peskin aimed at creating a more adaptable and resilient downtown core. These legislative efforts include targeted zoning modifications to allow for a greater variety of uses and activities within Union Square, acknowledging the evolving retail landscape influenced by both pre-pandemic trends like online shopping and post-pandemic shifts in consumer behavior.
The zoning changes are designed to promote a more dynamic and engaging street-level experience. On upper floors, the legislation permits a broader mix of office spaces, service-oriented businesses, design studios, and retail operations. At the ground level, the focus is on activating street frontages with indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, flexible retail workspaces that cater to modern business models, and attracting larger retailers that can serve as anchors and further enhance the area’s appeal for businesses, employees, residents, and visitors alike. This forward-thinking legislation has already secured approval from the Planning Commission, signaling strong momentum, and is slated for review by the Building Inspection Commission before proceeding to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration, paving the way for a more vibrant and economically robust future for Powell Street and the surrounding Downtown San Francisco area.
