People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights

Imagine a Revolution – Park

By: Natalie Leal | February 9, 2010

Despite continued opposition from some business in the area,  city officials and the community are developing three design proposals to turn half of a 220-car parking lot on 17^th Street between Folsom and Shotwell into a park. Eventually, they envision affordable housing on the second half of the lot.

The last opportunity for the community to select their favorite elements of the three designs will be at drop-in sessions today at the Planning Department, Room 431 at 1650 Mission Street.  So far, community input and city planners have come with with elements such as a rain water collecting system, plaza space for food vendors,  community gardens, and a bicycle-powered carousel.

The 60,000 square-foot site, which has been a parking lot for decades, has been identified by the community and city as a priority project. However, Susan Exline, a member of the San Francisco Planning Department cautioned, “Nothing in this project is set in stone because there is no funding.  We’re just in the idea-gathering phase.” Click here to read on...