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Historic Preservation Commission asks SFMTA to shrink mast arms, paint poles and coordinate in‑pavement lights at Civic Center crosswalk
Summary
The Commission recommended smaller mast arms, painted poles matching existing streetlights and retaining coordinated in‑pavement flashing lights when SFMTA replaces a mid‑block crosswalk at Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place; staff cited safety after a prior fatality and urged visible signals over lanes.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend changes to SFMTA’s proposed mid‑block traffic signal at Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place adjacent to City Hall, asking that the agency adopt a shorter mast‑arm design where feasible, paint new poles to match existing ornamental streetlights and coordinate or retain the existing in‑pavement flashing lights so they operate with the new signal.
Planning staff presented findings that the number and size of mast arms as proposed would inappropriately alter the setting of the Civic Center Landmark District and recommended an alternative, shorter mast arm used elsewhere in the city. Pilar LaValley, Planning Department staff, also said the Mayor’s Office of Disability requires yellow ADA domes but recommended interagency coordination to identify high‑contrast but more compatible treatments.
Ricardo Olea, SFMTA’s city traffic engineer, told commissioners the agency recommended 20–25‑foot mast arms so the signals would sit over traffic lanes and be highly visible; he noted the agency expedited the project after a pedestrian fatality linked to the existing crosswalk layout. Commissioners balanced preservation concerns against public safety, and amended staff’s conditions to include painting poles to match existing dark opera blue streetlights and to retain the in‑pavement flashing lights tied to the traffic signal.
Next steps: the Commission’s recommendation is advisory to SFMTA. Staff also asked that the Civic Center master plan study consider bulb‑outs or other street redesigns to shorten crossings in the future.
