Promenade Project Brings New Life to Powell Street

A two block stretch of San Francisco’s Powell Street has been transformed into a series of safe, green parklets focusing mainly on pedestrian safety.

The stretch of Powell between Ellis and Geary is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the country, as an estimated 100,000 people typically travel through the area on foot on the weekends.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee lauded the project for making the area more welcoming for visitors and residents alike.

“By working together, this unique public-private-nonprofit partnership creates a safe, green, forward thinking and contemporary public space for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “With Audi’s laudable commitment, the leadership of the Union Square Business Improvement District and the great work of the City, we are improving the pedestrian experience to the benefit of residents, visitors and area businesses in our world class City.”

Designed by Walter Hood of Hood Design Studios, the Powell Street Promenade features six additional feet of pedestrian space, while adding amenities such as aluminum benches, planters, tables, rails, landscaping and bike parking. Hood’s environmentally-conscious philosophy also includes low energy Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights, solar paneling and free Wi-Fi.

Audi of America was the driving force behind funding for the project.

Photo Credit: Audi of America

It's simple. Keith Mizuguchi loves to write and write and write some more. After taking a hiatus from the journalism business, he has rekindled his passion for writing over the last two years, holding a job as both a web and on-air writer for San Francisco news radio station KCBS. While he enjoys the news business, his true passions are twofold: sports and food. Bay Area born and raised, he lives in San Jose, commutes to SF and loves every minute of it. You can follow his food adventures on Twitter @foodie_keith.