QUARTER 3 2020     
LEADING NEWS

Hej IKEA!

IKEA's parent company has purchased 945 Market St. (also known as the 6x6 mall) and will open an IKEA in the space fall 2021. The building will also host a mix of "food, entertainment and other retail tenants, as well as some office space," said IKEA's Gerard Groener, Managing Director of Ingka Centres. He also noted: "foot traffic to the area could improve street conditions... 'We believe in this location'." 

Thank you IKEA. You will improve foot traffic and street conditions. 
We have believed in this location since 2007!

Shared Spaces OPEN in Mid Market

District businesses revive and reawaken as they take advantage of the City's Shared Spaces Program aimed at aiding outdoor operations. In August the SFMTA launched an interactive map of the City's Shared Spaces program, where users can see current places open for outdoor dining, and those forthcoming, check it out and see what spaces are in the District, such as Mint Plaza, Stevenson Street and more!

Progress Toward Rebuilding 
Gene Friend Recreation Center 

On July 21, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the 2020 Health and Recovery Bond proposal for $487.5 million, which includes funding for rebuilding the District's Gene Friend Recreation Center (6th and Folsom). The proposal is now on this year's ballot, and will need to be approved by voters with a 2/3 vote.
STREETSCAPE NEWS

Joint Operations Pilot

Mid Market CBD has strengthened its collaboration with neighboring CBDs (Tenderloin and Civic Center) and the Mid Market Business Association to coordinate public space management efforts along Market Street. The three CBDs and the business group, which supports businesses on the north and south side of Market Street between 5th and 8th, each provide services within the swath of the downtown that is bookended by Powell and Civic Center stations. The partners know just how much special attention is needed when it comes to creating clean, safe and welcoming public open space in a dense urban center. Working closely with one another, and newly appointed City agency leads focussed on the Pilot program, public and private sector cleaning, safety and economic development efforts will be streamlined for maximum efficiency and effectiveness over the next few months.

Coordinated efforts have already led to vastly improved sidewalk conditions at the intersection of Market and 6th thanks to: increased pressure washing, adornment of a large, boarded-up, corner storefront; and donations from local businesses to fund front door personnel who care for their storefronts and sidewalks.

6th Street Pedestrian Safety Project Set to Move Forward

Following the current quick-build improvements already made, the 6th Street Pedestrian Project will continue in 2021 with widening sidewalks by at least 3-4 feet and adding bulb outs from Market to Howard Street, along with pedestrian-level lighting and traffic signals at Stevenson and Natoma. You can sign up for 6th Street Pedestrian Project updates on the SFMTA site; project contacts at SFMTA are 

New Kosher Spot Featuring Delicious Bites Opens at 6th & Howard

Limonnana is now open for takeout and delivery in the old Defenestration building. Featuring delicious shawarma, falafel, hummus and more; the restaurant is from Rabbi Yosef Langer of 6th Street's Chabad Center.
NEW DEVELOPMENT UPDATES 

Serif Tops Out

In August, Market Street's Serif topped out, and sheetrocking began, followed by tower cranes and single hoists being dismantled in September. The Serif is set to be completed this year and the accompanying The LINE hotel is forthcoming as well.
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Construction Begins on New Housing for Homeless

Construction has started on the two, new six-story buildings at 1064-1068 Mission St., featuring 256 housing units for formerly homeless adults and approximately 100 units designated for seniors (62+). From Episcopal Community Services, with Mercy Housing, the site will also be the new home of the Tom Waddell Urban Health Clinic. The projected completion date is January 2022.

Hotel at 1125 Market St. Closer to Reality

Plans for the 12-story building at 1125 Market next door to A.C.T.'s Strand Theater have cleared the environmental review; project plans include "a 180-room hotel, over 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and 10,500 square feet of co-working office space."

1145 Mission St. Moves Forward

The long vacant lot at 1145 Mission St. (between 7th and 8th) moved closer to becoming a 25-unit mixed-use building including four BMR units; the project is still a few years from breaking ground but will also feature ground floor retail.
SUPPORT FOR OUR BUSINESSES

MMCBD Coffee Cafe 
Rewards Program

Mid Market is home to some of the best coffee cafes in the City, and we'd like for you to grab a beverage (or something to eat) at all of the cafes on our map. In fact, the first 50 people to do so, and document their purchases on Instagram, will receive a $100 gift card. The promotion started October 1st and ends December 31, 2021 or sooner if all rewards have been claimed. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Learn more on our site.

Weekly Businesses Showcase

Our latest social media project will highlight a different Mid Market business each week. Featured businesses will complete a fun Q&A to share their story and have a few photos taken by our photographer before being showcased across our social media channels for the week. If you're interested in participating, reach out to us at info@midmarketcbd.org.
MORE NEWS
* SFMTA light rail is scheduled to return late 2020/early 2021; also two, temporary emergency transit lanes now run through the District: Mission Street (14 Mission/14R Mission Rapid) and (19 Polk).

* The California Air Resources Board's effort to improve air quality in lower-income neighborhoods has resulted in the installation of new air quality sensors in, and adjacent to, the Mid Market CBD.
EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Skybridge on Stevenson

Launched in September, Skybridge on Stevenson is a free, Thursday evening event, 5:30-8:30pm, on Stevenson Street (between 5th and 6th) which features live music, performances and food from District businesses Montesacro and Grilledcheezguy. The event offers socially-distanced seating and continues through December 17.


UNDSCVRD Sundays and Global Party

UNDSCVRD has launched a new Sunday event for the month of October - also Fil-Am History Month - where two blocks of Folsom between 6th and 8th streets will be closed from 11am to 4pm and feature outdoor dining, artisan markets, and street art. Also happening this month is the SOMA Filipina UNDISCOVERED global event: a two-day virtual gathering of Filipina/x/o entrepreneurs, creatives and thought leaders, October 17-18. Request tickets here.

A.C.T.'s 2020-2021 Season Online 

In a recent Datebook article, A.C.T. noted their in-person performances won't return until mid 2021, but - there's still a lot to look forward to. This season, theater-goers can watch live performances from home, and check out a throwback to "radio play" with "A Christmas Carol: On Air."
CLEAN & SAFE SERVICES STATISTICS
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

CBD Field Crews Continue to Make a Difference

As our Ambassadors and Clean Team continue to address the needs of the District - they sometimes go above and beyond in heroic ways. Ambassador Margo recently saw a citizen in cardiac distress and administered CPR until medical services arrived. Three cheers for Margo!

If you'd like to support or field crews, use the link below and indicate how you would like your donation used; or contact us at: info@midmarketcbd.org


The team also loves thank you notes and emails!
HOW IT'S DONE

   
Homeskillet's (Market at 6th) temporary window dressing designed by Creatis Group, Inc. is enlivening the boarded-up storefront until their indoor re-opening.

DISTRICT BEAUTY

    
Proper Hotel's new cozy and green outdoor seating area on Market at 7th Street.

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