After the pioneering gay supervisor was assassinated in 1978 , it was at this same place where thousands mourned his violent death and where many still come to this day to remember his legacy .
Now steps are underway to finally make this hallowed ground a fitting tribute to both Milk and the LGBT civil rights movement . An international design competition has been launched to reimagine Harvey Milk Plaza , located on the southwest corner of Castro and Market streets at the Muni Metro entrance .
The competition ’ s aim is to redesign this space at the historic heart of San Francisco ’ s LGBT community to mark the significant contributions of Milk , as well as to recognize his role in the struggle for LGBT civil rights that is still unfolding .
The Harvey Milk Plaza Competition is a partnership of the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza , the American Institute of Architects San Francisco and the San Francisco Arts Commission . The Center for Architecture + Design is a charitable organization serving as the fiscal sponsor of the Harvey Milk Plaza Competition .
Initial funding in the amount of $ 500,000 to support the design competition and subsequent plaza development has been provided by an anonymous donor . It ' s important to note , however , that no funding has been identified to get the project built . It likely would have a hefty price tag and , if publicly funded , the City would need to determine how it would fit with other funding priorities . If financed with private money , the fundraising would be a major undertaking . In addition , the project would need to clear environmental reviews and the public approval process . All that said , the competition opens the door to reimagining the public space .
The plaza design would need to dovetail with the Public Works and SFMTA Castro Accessibility Improvements Project , which is now in the planning stage . As part of a system-wide effort to improve access to public transit , the public space around the Castro Muni Metro station will be improved and a second elevator will be added to provide continuous access to the station . Station improvements include widening the sidewalk , replacing the existing lighting and re-grading the pavement above the station .
In January 2017 , the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza held two meetings to collect the community ’ s vision for a new plaza . At the same time , Public Works staff solicited ideas for the Castro Accessibility Improvements Project . Attendees shared ideas on how best to honor Harvey Milk ’ s contributions with a memorial / art installation and design and create a safe and welcoming public space that is accessible by all .
Castro neighborhood residents and users of the plaza who attended the public meetings expressed the desire for inspirational art that stirs emotions and encourages people to learn more about the plaza ’ s namesake . The community hopes submissions will shape the space into one that may be used for gatherings in times of celebration , mourning and protest , while remaining safe and secure in the early-morning hours and evenings .
Design teams should look to the past to inspire and inform the future , presenting art that inspires the next generation of advocates , LGBT leaders and allies of marginalized communities .
For more information and the competition materials , check out the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza website .
March 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter