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Historic Preservation Commission questions Van Ness BRT shelters, granite curbs and fate of century‑old trolley poles
Summary
Commissioners and staff debated design, materials and historic-asset treatment for the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project in the Civic Center landmark district, raising concerns about shelter form, platform granite curb use under FTA rules, and whether deteriorating historic trolley poles should be retained, relocated or salvaged.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 21 reviewed design proposals for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and gave detailed feedback on station shelters, platform materials and treatment of historic trolley poles that line the Civic Center landmark district.
Preservation staff framed the discussion around district contributing features — including 34 historic trolley poles, brick paving, granite curbs and early fire infrastructure — and recommended that platforms incorporate granite curbs where they match the district context and that a limited number of trolley poles be retained as artifacts with interpretive signage. Staff said the project should follow Secretary of the Interior guidance for Cultural Landscapes when possible.
SFMTA project manager Peter Gavancho…
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