San Francisco
$16.3 million Jefferson Streetscape Project at Fisherman’s Wharf finished
San Francisco, California – The $16.3 million Jefferson Streetscape Project at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco was finished in an effort to make the famous tourist site more welcoming for both tourists and locals.
To help ease car traffic, the project shortened the Jefferson Street roadway and established alternating concrete bands. Additionally, to increase pedestrian safety at night, walkways were enlarged, new trees were planted, and scaled lighting was installed.
The second project phase focused on the area of Jefferson Street between Jones and Powell streets.
On Friday, city officials gathered to celebrate at the new Jefferson and Taylor streets plaza, which was transformed from a parking lot. The plaza was treated to new seating and pavement.
Mayor London Breed said visitors will now be able to sit at the plaza and enjoy the clam chowder bread bowls from Boudin’s, adding:
“It’s an amazing plaza that can be used for activities where people can eat, where they can enjoy live music.”
Supervisor Aaron Peskin thanked the multiple agencies that helped make the possible, as well as the Fisherman’s Wharf community members who endured the construction. Peskin said the project went smoothly even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Interim Public Works Director Carla Short said crews used pandemic-related business to their advantage, adding:
“This ensured that any construction impact would be minimal once businesses resumed operations and were ready to welcome back locals and out-of-town visitors.”
The Port’s Executive Director Elaine Forbes said:
“The Fisherman’s Wharf community is thrilled that the city is making general generational investments in this place for our future.”
Crews completed the project’s first phase on Jefferson Street between Hyde Street and Jones streets in June 2013, with a budget of nearly $5 million. The Department of Public Works managed construction of both phases in collaboration with the Port Authority and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Design and planning for the project began more a decade ago as part of the Fisherman’s Wharf Public Realm Plan.