Mayor Edwin M. Lee today highlighted progress in the Market and Octavia neighborhood, in Hayes Valley along the former Central Freeway right-of-way. In 2014, 30 housing development projects, totaling 1,300 units, were completed, generating nearly $12 million for infrastructure improvements that have in turn helped revitalize the neighborhood.

“The results of the Market and Octavia Plan demonstrate that new housing and the revenue it brings can be a catalyst to improve neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lee. “With three new parks, transit, bike and pedestrian improvements, and new community gathering places, the Market and Octavia neighborhood is realizing its full potential as a vibrant, urban place and a stronger neighborhood has resulted in the process.”

When the Central Freeway was damaged by the 1989 earthquake and ultimately removed, the neighborhood worked with the City to design a reuse plan dedicating the newly available spaces to parks, pedestrian connections, and developable lots, including half of which developed as affordable housing. The new Octavia Boulevard and Patricia’s Green park, which replaced the Hayes Valley portion of the damaged two-level Central Freeway, were the first visible improvements to the area, completed in 2005.

The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors adopted the Market and Octavia Plan, the City’s first Better Neighborhoods Plan, in early 2008. But the plan, intended to guide infill development to strengthen the Market and Octavia neighborhood, was adopted at the beginning of the economic downturn, and little development occurred in the early years. Now, with many new projects being built or recently finished, its vision is becoming reality.

The Market and Octavia Plan enabled roughly 6,000 additional housing units. As of the second quarter of 2014, 30 completed projects that totaled 1,300 units generated almost $12 million dollars in revenue for infrastructure improvements. Another 40 development projects, totaling approximately 2,800 units, are in the Planning Department’s development pipeline, with completion expected in two to three years. As a result of these and anticipated future projects, the Planning Department projects that it will receive another nearly $19 million dollars to fund improvement projects in the area over the next five years. In combination with revenue from sales of the Central Freeway parcels, as well as ancillary grants and City support, the area will see almost $40 million worth of community improvements.

The Planning Department’s recently released Interagency Plan Implementation Committee Annual Report details progress towards implementation of community improvements in each of the City’s adopted Area Plan, including Market and Octavia. These improvements were guided by the Market Octavia Community Advisory Committee, a body made up of community residents and business owners who advise the City on infrastructure improvements and expenditures in the area.  Infrastructure projects that have been completed this year include:

·    The Haight Street two-way project created a dedicated transit lane on Haight Street between Octavia and Market Streets, greatly reducing transit travel times through the area; and added pedestrian amenities at the Market/ Haight/Gough intersection.
·    The Polk Street contra flow lane, completed in spring 2014, provided a northbound bike route on the one-way portion of Polk between Market and Grove.
·    Traffic calming across Dolores Street at Market Street improved pedestrian safety in the area, and enabled a new public plaza at the southwest corner of the intersection.
·    An expanded bulbout at the southeast corner of 14th and Market streets reduced the crossing distance across 14th Street, again improved pedestrian safety and providing additional space for pedestrians.
·    At the intersection of Market and Octavia Streets, a right turn enforcement camera for eastbound traffic was installed to ensure bicycle safety for Market Street’s many cyclists.
·    Bicycle improvements at the intersection of Buchanan and Market now guides cyclists entering and exiting the “Wiggle” bicycle path that extends behind the Safeway on Market Street, improving safety through this complicated intersection.
·    The 5L Pilot was launched by MUNI to provide limited stop bus service along the busy 5 Fulton corridor, again greatly reducing travel times for residents.
·    The McCoppin Hub Plaza was constructed in the existing public right-of-way at the western end of McCoppin Street, creating an active gathering space where residents north and south of Market Street can gather.
·    A new skatepark was constructed below a portion of the Central Freeway.
·    A dog play area was constructed below a portion of the Central Freeway.

In addition to creating a wealth of public improvements for neighborhood residents, the Plan is providing a significant number of new affordable homes. Seven of the parcels created by the takedown of the Central Freeway will ultimately be dedicated toward affordable housing, which, in combination with the area inclusionary requirements, will result in well over 50 percent of the homes created on former freeway parcels being permanently affordable to low-income San Franciscans.