Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Space Design topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Transportation Authority adopts Walter Ullum Place public‑space study recommending wider sidewalks, raised crosswalk and temporary closures
Summary
The board adopted the Walter Ullum Place public space study, endorsing a people‑first concept that widens sidewalks, provides a continuous loading zone, adds a raised crosswalk aligned with Portsmouth Square, and designs for temporary street closures; the estimated detailed design cost is $870,000 and conceptual construction cost $4.35 million.
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority adopted the Walter Ullum Place public space study on July 8, 2025, approving a recommended concept design developed with Chinatown stakeholders and city agencies.
Alex Pan, transportation planner, summarized outreach conducted with the Chinatown Community Development Center and a seven‑member steering committee made up of merchants and organizational stakeholders. The proposed concept widens the west sidewalk to 13 feet, introduces a low retaining wall split into stepped curb seating and planting, narrows the vehicle travelway to 18.5 feet, and preserves a continuous 8‑foot loading zone. A raised crosswalk at the Clay Street corner would align the alley with the new Portsmouth Square pedestrian plaza, and the design uses paving materials and patterns to visually connect the spaces.
The study recommends design features that address ADA grade constraints, loading access, drainage and the steep site grade. The report includes a planning‑level construction cost estimate of approximately $4.35 million and an estimate of $870,000 for detailed design. The team recommended coordinating construction with the Recreation and Parks Department’s planned Portsmouth Square renovation to reduce cost and disruption; detailed design funding would need to be secured by December 2025 and construction funds by September 2026 to pursue that coordinated approach.
Commissioner Sauter praised the balancing of merchant loading needs with park connections. The board voted to adopt the study; Commissioner Sauter moved approval and Commissioner Mandelmann seconded. The clerk announced the motion approved.
