London Breed, Mayor | Official website of City of San Francisco
London Breed, Mayor | Official website of City of San Francisco
San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed announced today that the city has received an $8.1 million federal grant for the renovation of three blocks of the Buchanan Street Mall Project in the Western Addition neighborhood. The funding will be used to add amenities such as a performance stage, seating areas, playgrounds, an adult exercise area, and a multi-sports court.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, revealed the funding as part of a $58.3 million investment across 11 states to enhance public parks, recreation opportunities, and outdoor ecosystems. This funding from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) aims to improve outdoor access for underserved communities.
Mayor Breed, who grew up in the Western Addition, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, “By creating spaces for creativity, play, and intergenerational connection, we are providing spaces and opportunities for generations to come.” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi also praised the investment, highlighting that it will help transform Buchanan Street Mall into an inclusive community hub.
The Buchanan Street Mall Project, developed in collaboration with the community since 2014, aims to create a vibrant and equitable gathering space for people of all ages. The project will feature a flexible open plaza, a community garden, lawns for relaxation, and a Memory Walk that showcases the neighborhood's history as the Harlem of the West.
Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, emphasized the community-driven design of the project, stating, “Community members have been firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to the design, and this federal funding ensures their ideas will be put into action.”
Guillermo Rodriguez, California state director with the Trust for Public Land, expressed excitement about translating the community's vision into reality, saying, “This federal investment is another example of San Francisco’s commitment to park equity.” Citizen Film Outreach Director Tamara Walker highlighted the importance of preserving the neighborhood's history through the project.
The Buchanan Street Mall renovation is made possible through various sources of funding, including federal grants, state funding secured by Senator Scott Wiener, and contributions from organizations like The Trust for Public Land and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The project is expected to begin construction in the fall, bringing new life to the historic park.
The Buchanan Street Mall, built in 1975 and transferred to the Recreation and Park Department in 1976, has undergone renovations in the past but is now set for a transformative upgrade to benefit the Western Addition community.