QUARTERLY NEWS AND UPDATES

Commons Events
The band "EagleWolfSnake" performing on the Fulton Street stage at September's 3rd Thursday Block Party.

Civic Center CBD partnered with multiple City agencies and private sector partners, such as Another Planet Entertainment and Off the Grid Markets, to  make Civic Center Commons the place to be on the 3rd Thursdays of July, August, September and October.

The CBD helped facilitate the four  3rd Thursday Block Parties, which brought thousands of people to Civic Center. Born from the UN Plaza Night Markets started by Public Works and the Market Street Association, these much larger events now encompass all three Civic Center Commons plazas, with multiple City agencies working together to lend resources, talent, and expertise to make these events work on a logistical level. Staff from Recreation and Parks, Public Works, Real Estate, Planning and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development were instrumental in the success of these events; as were our clean and safe crews from the CBD, SFPD, OCEIA and Hunters Point Family. And a very special shout out to senior staff at the Mayor's Office for their support and guidance.

From kids to seniors, all ages were represented; attendees enjoyed free live music, food trucks, the Bi-Rite ice cream pop-up, multiple cocktail bars, and engaging activities from community organizations like 826 Valencia and free roller skating with the Church of 8 Wheels. District member Another Planet Entertainment curated the outstanding musical entertainment on the Fulton Street stage and donated significant equipment and labor to support the event (Not to mention some extra beer cups!).

Board and staff at the CBD raised over $300,000 in public and private funds to support these free community events.   

Public supporters included:  Grants for the Arts, the  Office of Economic and Workforce Development and  Public Works. 

Private sponsors included:  AECOM, Another Planet Entertainment, CMG Landscape Architects, Civic Center CBD, Dolby Laboratories, Eric Rodenbeck and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation Discretionary Grant, LendLease, Market Street Association, San Francisco Magazine, Streetplus, Tishman Speyer, Trinity Properties and the Trust for Public Land.

If you're interested to get in on the action for 2018,  CLICK HERE.
Diners enjoying food and beverage from Off the Grid Markets
Families enjoying FREE roller skating compliments of event sponsors and the Church of 8 Wheels! 
Statue Controversy 

In the wake of the re-evaluation and removal, of statutes across the U.S. that have been deemed offensive, a monument much closer to home has caught the attention of City residents and governmental powers.

One pier, of the four that surround the base of the Pioneer Monument on Fulton Street (between Larkin and Hyde), is a scene that some would rather not see. The "Early Days" pier depicts a Native American sitting at the feet of a pioneer and missionary -- with the missionary leaning over the Native American in an authoritative way while pointing to heaven.  

After meetings between the public and the San Francisco Arts Commission, the commission voted -- unanimously -- to remove that section of the monument. 
Yarn-Art Sisters Win 2017 San Francisco Beautiful Award

As many of you know, the fabulous knitted parrots, giraffes and octopuses adorning trees in the Commons plazas are by sisters Lorna and Jill Watt of  Knits for Life  (pictured at right). Their handiworks popped-up on  social media  and in the  San Francisco Chronicle , which is why we weren't surprised by their recent win at the 2017  San Francisco Beautiful Awards . 
Asian Art Museum's New Interactive Outdoor Exhibit

Part of the Art/Living Innovation Zone, and running through January 15, 2018, the new #SitckyQuestions outdoor installation on Larkin at Fulton invites the community to ask questions and provide answers to written prompts. 

The interactive art piece wants visitors "to question ourselves, each other, and the world in which we live, work, create and move." Stop by and leave a statement. 
Van Ness 
Improvement Project

If your daily commute takes you down Van Ness, you likely noticed the lane shifts. These new shifts in southbound and northbound lanes -- both of which happened in November -- allow for construction crews to begin replacing major utilities as part of the Van Ness Improvement Project. 

For more information, visit the SFMTA site, and check out their informational video.

Civic Center Public Realm Workshop

Over one hundred people attended the Planning Department's Civic Center Public Realm Plan workshop at UC Hastings on November 7th. To receive information from the event or to subscribe to the project's mailing list; use the link at the bottom of the page here.
Upcoming Events

STAY CONNECTED: