Built Project PHASE 2:
17th and Castro "Castro Commons"

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHASE 1 OF THE 17TH & CASTRO PLAZA

After being evaluated for over a year, the Castro Plaza has been made permanent by request of the community. Marking this milestone, the plaza was upgraded using grant funds awarded to the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District.

Building off lessons learned during the trial, Seth Boor of Boor Bridges Architecture designed this new space, providing a greater sense of enclosure, more seating, and more greening opportunities.  In collaboration with Flora Grubb Gardens, a beautiful palette of low-water, wind tolerant plants have been added, including a variety of palms, olives, and succulents.  Seth contributed his design services pro bono while Flora Grubb provided materials at a significant discount.   Paul Cesewski fabricated the movable gates over the unused Muni tracks using surplus rail and other metal donated to the project by the Port of San Francisco.  And finally, Nibbi General Contractors, who installed the concrete planters, provided their services at reduced cost to the CBD.

Building off the community partnership model common to all Pavement to Parks projects, much of the labor was volunteered by people in the community.  The Castro / Upper Market CBD provided invaluable help in organizing these volunteers (many of the member businesses were even out with shovels) and has graciously accepted responsibility for maintaining this beautiful public space.

The City encourages both formal and informal use of the Castro Plaza.  If you would like to hold an event here, please contact sfpavementtoparks@sfplanning.org for more information.

Please visit the Castro Plaza Facebook page!

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