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QUARTERLY NEWS AND UPDATES
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CCCBD's Board of Directors tour
the almost complete
BiRite Cafe in Civic Center Plaza
with project sponsors
and supporters from the Trust for Public Land.
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Bi-Rite Cafe readies
to open in Civic Center Plaza
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The site-responsive design, with gates that open to form a canopy, was led by architecture firm
WRNS Studio and creates a welcoming sense of place that complements both the new playgrounds and the historic architecture of Civic Center.
The cafe hours are Monday through Friday, 7am-5pm; and Saturday through Sunday, 10am-4pm. Please note, that at the Grand Opening on the 23rd Bi-Rite Cafe
will serve a limited menu. The cafe will open with its full menu on the 24th.
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Mayor London Breed Addresses Conditions of City Streets
Recently we sent a special edition email concerning
Street Conditions, which details elements such as our meeting with
Mayor London Breed and Police Chief Bill Scott to discuss cleanliness and safety issues affecting Civic Center Community District and much of downtown San Francisco. The email covers current and future efforts to abate the problems affecting public spaces, such as the forthcoming District additions of BigBelly trash cans. It also shares updates on other organizations and City department efforts, such as the City's Fix-It Team and the Clean & Safe Coalition.
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Performing Arts Shuttle Service
Remember you can still get to and from the SF Symphony or SF Opera during the Fall 2018 season via Chariot.
All SF Opera performances offer service, and
most SF Symphony concerts
do too. See link for schedule.
SF Opera also offers a paid shuttle from Palo Alto on select dates.
San Francisco looping shuttle:
SF Opera drop off is in the Horseshoe Driveway
between Herbst Theater and the Opera House.
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BART responds to CCCBD Board of Directors and embarks on station wayfinding
We're happy to report BART will be installing more wayfinding signage in, and around, the Civic Center Station to support riders as they re-learn how to navigate the station and reach neighborhood destinations with some entrances and escalators no longer in service.
Recent station entrance closures and the loss of two escalators are taking a toll on riders and their destinations. The pilot program to feature directional signs inside and outside the station came about because the Civic Center and Central Market CBD Boards of Directors met with BART and advocated for more assistance for District employers, businesses and arts organizations whose employees, customers and patrons take BART to the area. Thank you CBD Boards and BART leadership for rolling out this program which should result in happier, safer and more confident station visitors.
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Proposed Renewed District Boundaries
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CCCBD Renewal Process Continues, There's Still Time to Join the Committee
CCCBD is looking for property owners within the proposed District boundaries to join
the Renewal Steering Committee and become an active part of the process. Those who join will have direct input on boundaries, budgeting, programs and services offered.
If you are interested in joining the Renewal Committee please contact us at [email protected].
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"Septummer" Picnic Days featured sun, food trucks and games.
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COMMONS BLOCK PARTIES CONTINUE!
The
3rd Thursdays Block Party series continued through the quarter; the evening parties providing an opportunity for friends, families and co-workers to enjoy amazing music curated by
Another Planet Entertainment: Sonny & the Sunsets, Banzai Cliff, Golden Gram, Claire George and Trino Drima; along with volleyball from
SF Social; lawn games; and bites and drinks from
Off the Grid. The July 3rd Thursdays Block Party coincided with the dedication of the Zak Ové public art installation
Invisible Man and the Masque of Blackness. The final 3rd Thursday Block Party of the season is on October 18, 5-9 p.m. -
a great time to see the Zak Ové installation -- before it leaves in November.
Civic Center Commons also hosted the "Septummer" Friday Picnic Days on September 14, 21 and 28. These midday events featured a nice way to kick-off the weekend, on the early side, with an opportunity for people to eat lunch, either brought from home or purchased from Off the Grid food trucks, at picnic tables and challenge friends or co-workers to a game of corn hole or giant Jenga.
See photos of the events on the Civic Center Commons Flickr page.
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1st Sunday attendees rest on the turf, play games and enjoy food from Off the Grid.
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3rd Thursday music curated by Another Planet Entertainment
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KQED Unravels the Mystery Behind Knits for Life
The otters, the lizards and the octopi that inhabit Civic Center Plaza were at the center of a recent
KQED Bay Curious radio segment, where listeners inquire to know more about something they find curious in the Bay Area. The segment covers the work of sister knitting-duo
Knits for Life and their Knitting the Commons work. Give it a listen.
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Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds Makes
Red Tricycle's List of Best in SF
The popular parent site Red Tricycle whittled down the extensive list San Francisco parks to their favorites for kids, which includes Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds, which
they note is "a two-for-one playground combo," which any parent would love.
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SFPD Keeping a Close Eye on UN Plaza
In an effort to curb the "drug dealing and the quality of life issues" that plague UN Plaza, Police Chief Scott has established a continued SFPD presence in the Plaza in the form of a Mobile Command Center, as well as increasing the number of foot, bicycle and motorcycle patrols inthe area, according to
an article in the
SF Examiner.
Some concern, raised by Supervisor Jane Kim, among others, is about the new presence at UN Plaza just pushing the problem elsewhere in the City. Chief Scott says in the article that this effort is one part of the larger City effort to clean up the streets and that it really needs to be done "one block at a time."
The article also notes: "Police Commission Vice President Thomas Mazzucco said he was concerned that the court system was releasing alleged heroin dealers on stay away orders that they ignore. 'They get arrested, they're released by the court within 24 hours with a stay away order, they get arrested again on the same corner in violation of the stay away order..."
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Controversial "Early Days" Statue is Gone
The long process to remove the "Early Days" has finally come to
an end.
The Appeals Board reversed their April
decision to halt the removal until another Appeal Board hearing, which had been scheduled after
a lawyer filed an appeal to stop its removal based on wording from a Planning Commission document. Both the San Francisco Arts Commission and the
Historic Preservation Committee had voted to place the portion of the Pioneer Monument --
where
a missionary leans over a Native American in an authoritative stance while pointing to heaven -- in storage in early 2018.
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Civic Center BART Station Unveils New Monitors
Those who frequent the Civic Center BART station may have noticed
new monitors on the main platform. Installed in August, the screens display train arrival times -- so those outside the fare gates can see -- and a live feed of the train platform.
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Art Institute of California-San Francisco to Close in December
The private art school, located at 10 United Nations Plaza, announced in July it will close at the
end of the semester. Recently acquired by Dream Center Education Holdings, the new owners site declining enrollment and more demand for online courses as the reason to why they're closing the San Francisco campus.
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Sit, Stay: New Outdoor Statue at Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum has announced its next outdoor sculpture on the Larkin Street Steps will be Y
oshitomo Nara's
Your Dog.
The large, white puppy will be installed in time for the Year of the Dog. And they encourage visitors to the upcoming statue to take a picture of Your Dog with your dog. #Naradog
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New Breakfast Spot: Mateo's
A new spot has opened for weekday breakfast and lunch crowds:
Mateo's. Located at 1455 Market St., features breakfast staples such as eggs and bacon and lunch options of burritos and bowls.
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Van Ness
Improvement Project
The third quarter of 2018 saw replacement of some sidewalks that had previously been removed for construction, sewer main installation, and traffic lane shifts on Van Ness between Jackson and Sutter in order to make room for construction.
The improvement project is projected to be completed in 2020.
For more information on the project,
check out the informational
video, and visit the
SFMTA site.
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A First for San Francisco: One Building for High School and Housing
The
SF Business Times notes a 36-story tower in our District will house the French American High School on 5 floors, while the remaining 31 stories will consist of 345 apartments. And while the teens and tenants will all be under one roof, each will have their own entrances on opposite sides of the building.
Construction is slated to begin in 2020, with a projected opening date of 2023.
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Square Expands Headquarters
The mobile payment company Square has expanded its footprint in the District by 28%. The
SF Chronicle notes the expansion is one of "the largest office deals this year," and "the company took an additional 104,135 square feet in the second quarter and now occupies a total of 469,056 square feet at 1455 Market St."
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Construction Begins on the New Conservatory of Music
In our Quarter 2 Recap we
mentioned the Conservatory of Music was readying to start construction on its new 12-floor Civic Center buildings, if you've passed Van Ness at Hayes you've likely noticed the construction has commenced. The building is slated to open summer 2020.
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Asian Art Museum Breaks Ground on $38 Million Expansion
You may have also noticed the Asian Art Museum has broken ground on its $38 million expansion. The Museum will not close during construction, and when completed it will have added close to 13,000 additional square feet to the building.
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Smart Design:
100 and 150 Van Ness Shine
The
SF Chronicle shared a look at the multi-story buildings in the City that are doing something a little different with design -- something smart. The paper notes the elements of 100 and 150 Van Ness that distinguish them from their peers: "The closer you look, the more formulaic the newcomer feels, but it's a confident transition from sleek 100 Van Ness to the neoclassical forms of Civic Center. There's also enough color and rhythm to make 150 Van Ness a pleasure to walk by..."
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COMMONS BLOCK PARTIES
As noted above, there are only two Civic Center Commons fBlock Parties remaining this season. The last 3rd Thursday Block Party on Thursday, October 18th is a great stop for Happy Hour -- come grab a drink and listen to the live music. Sunday, November 5 is the last 1st Sunday Block Party with great brunch options (and without the long lines!) and there's plenty for kids to do too!
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KIDS HALLOWEEN PARTY
Another Planet Entertainment and the SFPD's Northern Station are hosting a FREE afternoon Halloween party & matinee movie for kids 12 and under at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on October 28, 2-6pm. The event features food, games, face painting and a screening of the movie Hotel Transylvania.
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HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING,
ICE SKATING RINK & MORE
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting is scheduled for the evening of December 5! The festive event will feature fabulous performers, warm beverages and treats and VIP: Santa.
This event will take place adjacent to the recently announced
Civic Center Plaza ice skating rink, which will open
November 30.
Also, our Holiday Fanfare concerts are returning! The small pop-up concerts along the Van Ness corridor will provide holiday entertainment such as carolers and brass quintets from the
San Francisco Conservatory of Music during the month of December.
Please check our
website and
social media accounts for more information on event dates.
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A Look at San Francisco Property Value
Produced by the San Francisco Office of Assessor-Recorder, a look at property value growth; more info on
sfassessor.org
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DISTRICT BEAUTY
Neighboring CBDs, Civic Center and Central Market, have been working with the owner of the Burger King at Market and Grove to improve conditions in and around the business. In addition to playing Classical music over the sidewalk to set a more soothing tone, the owner has installed brand new windows throughout, increased store cleaning and added more security personnel. Public Works and SFPD have also stepped up services to help keep this heavily trafficked area cleaner and safer for all.
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New clean and clutter-free storefront windows (free of posters and signs)
transform the Burger King facade!
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