Infill - courtesy of the Planning Department
The most important part of the Japantown zoning is the new Geary BRT. Geary at present is one of the most traveled streets in San Francisco, and the new transit system should suit it well. Many neighborhoods along the route should expect major growth, especially those areas closest to the Central Business District.
After covering the Geary BRT, the Japantown Plan shows that most of the area is well served by transit. Large amounts of people will be coming through on other lines just to transfer to the BRT as well While many people envision the future of Geary BRT to be light rail, this is a positive first step. I was very excited to see the neighborhood preference as re-routing Geary to be at grade instead of though the tunnel. This revisioned intersection can shave time off of transit, and help make the neighborhood more transit friendly. The new proposal is shown at left, versus the existing condition shown below. It might delay traffic to some extent, but it will remove one of the major scars of the Redevelopment Agency, and help reunite the neighborhood.
Of course, any further design is subject to many departments’ review and commentary. I just happen to think that any idea of routing more transit along one of the city’s busiest streets is always a winning idea. Not to mention the capacity of the adjacent proposed towers, and the addition of the Webster Park. All in all, this project deserves our approval.
Existing Condition - courtesy of the Planning Department
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Tyler on 05.29.2009
How are we supposed to have an opinion when the images aren’t big enough (nor can I click through to full sized versions) to read?
Admin on 05.29.2009
Sorry about that – it was a late night entry. Images should be fixed now.
Highways Divide : San Francisco Transit Oriented Design on 06.22.2009
[...] crosswalks at key intersections. Thankfully, much of this is en route to being corrected with the Japantown Plan, and the creation of the Geary BRT. If you like to dream, take a look at the powerpoint [...]