In the Works - Community Newsletter In the Works April 2017 | Page 33

More than 20 colorful images of
Chinatown alleyway improvement
concepts were on display in a
community room at the Chinatown
Branch Library. There, a large crowd
of people who live and work in the
historic neighborhood enthusiastically
voiced their opinions and picked their
favorite designs to help shape the
future of Ross and Trenton alleys. have been completed, including
Jack Kerouac, Waverly Place, John,
Commercial, Ross, Cordelia, Hang
Ah, Pagoda, Beckett, Wentworth and
Cooper.
The April 5 community meeting was
part of the implementation of the
Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan,
a guide for the renovation of 31
alleys in Chinatown, with the goal of
advancing safety and vitality in this
iconic San Francisco neighborhood.
The Master Plan was commissioned
by Public Works in 1998 and
authored by our nonprofit community
partner, Chinatown Community
Development Center. Ross Alley is a pathway with busy
foot traffic in Chinatown connecting
Washington and Jackson streets. An
unofficial count conducted by Ross
Alley neighbors found an average of
3,000 people using the alley every
day. Trenton Street, which is adjacent
to the Ping Yuen public housing
development, is used as a shortcut
to get to and from nearby shopping
corridors and Chinese Hospital.
Since the adoption of the Master
Plan, 12 alleyway improvements
Currently, Spofford Street is under
construction; Ross and Trenton alleys
are in the planning and outreach
phase.
Public Works collaborated with
District 3 Supervisor Aaron
Peskin and Chinese Community
Development Center to host the
meeting to show the Chinatown
community a variety of design
ideas for improvements in Ross
and Trenton alleys. They included
different pavement markings, murals,
graphic designs, removable barriers,
seating, lighting, interactive arts,
decorative overhead elements and
wayfinding signage.
Two more community gatherings
about Ross and Trenton
improvements are planned. Both
alleys are expected to receive upgrades
in late summer and early fall.
The remaining alleys in the Master
Plan will continue to be included
in the City's 10-year Capital Plan,
which identifies, analyzes and
prioritizes capital improvements
citywide. When additional funds are
cemented, future improvements will
be implemented
April 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter