San Francisco’s downtown commercial core is at a crossroads. Vacancy rates have skyrocketed since the pandemic, but meanwhile, some of our neighborhoods are thriving. Can we look to them for inspiration?
Our Founder, William Duff, recently led a conversation on this topic for the 21st annual Architecture + the City Festival, hosted by the Center for Architecture + Design. He focused on the Folsom Street corridor, where William Duff Architects (WDA) is headquartered and invested in the community.
Stakeholders with connections to the neighborhood discussed whether adaptive reuse, affordable housing developments and city programs are encouraging a vibrant mix of live, work and play. Panelists included Eric Tao, Principal at L37 Development; David Baker, Founder of David Baker Architects; and Jeffrey Tumlin, Director of Transportation at SFMTA.
Here is a recap of the event:
How does SFMTA’s Folsom-Howard streetscape redevelopment project serve as a model for the revitalization of San Francisco’s major downtown corridors?
Jeffrey Tumlin (JT): San Francisco invents what is next through our unique creativity and misfit view of the world. This ripples throughout the world. The sidewalk is a place that brings us together, and we are hoping the Folsom-Howard streetscape project can facilitate that.
Eric Tao (ET): Invest in the community and get its design input, and you can successfully preserve both economic and neighborhood character.
Folsom Street already has an identity. What building types and developments does it need to enhance it?
JT: The price of real estate is often higher than income levels in the city. This can push people out, but their cultural hearts remain. Hold on to these institutions by taxing new development. These will attract like-minded businesses, and culture will continue to flourish and evolve.
What kind of neighborhood should Folsom Street be and how can design support it?
David Baker (DB): It would be great if we could peel back the 101 Freeway. Like what happened in Hayes Valley when the Central Freeway came down, there would be a lot of mixed-use and revitalization.
What were the key takeaways from your perspective?
William Duff (WD): Folsom Street represents a diverse cross section of the city – from the towers of the East Cut to the varied historical districts. Different constituents and interests are represented, and no simple solutions can appease all concerns. However, an underlying optimism is rising from the economic downturn, and this is when the most innovative ideas are born. It is exciting to see this happening on Folsom Street and seeing it serve as a model for the rest of the city.
Did you gain any insight or learn anything new?
WD: I learned a lot about the history of SOMA, dating back to when San Francisco was part of Mexico. Our street sizes were measured on the Spanish unit of vara, equal to 33 and 1/3 inches, which explains why some of our streets have non-standard dimensions. Also, our neighborhood has traditionally favored industrial uses but that is changing, and today new people-focused project types are being incorporated to achieve a more viable and sustainable neighborhood in the future.