The Mission Streetscape Plan: What It Means To Noe Valley

The Mission District Streetscape Plan advanced out of committee to the full SFMTA board for a vote on Friday after years of community meetings and a full Environmental Impact Report. That's the good news. The bad news is that assuming it passes the Board, it will be 10 years before fully implemented at a cost of $96M.

The entire 62MB PDF is available here: Of note to Noe Valley residents:

• Making permanent the much-maligned traffic-calming plaza at 28th and Guerrero (pages 50-51). A priority project: "The City will continue to look for funds to create a permanent plaza at this location per the designs shown in this plan."
• 24th St BART station improvements (pages 42-43). A priority project: "The City has received approximately $2.2 million in grant funds through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s TLC program to build improvements to the 24th and Mission BART station, including plaza improvements, new bus bulbs on Mission Street, and raised crosswalks at alleys crossing 24th Street."
• Reducing Cesar Chavez to 2 traffic lanes in each direction from Hampshire to Guerrero with dedicated turn lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian bulb-outs, a 12-foot-wide median and a new plaza at Capp/Mission. All that will sacrifice 30 parking places. (pages 54-55, 66-67) Ironically, there is a lot of hate for the project from the bikes-only crowd commenting on StreetsBlogSF - the project doesn't go far enough to protect cyclists.
• Pedestrian safety improvements to Dolores St and the Dolores St park/plaza at San Jose we reported on last year (pages 42-47, 70-71).

When? A projected time line is on page 96. Work on Ceasar Chavez will begin next summer after completion of a sewer replacement project set to start in the next month or so.

[SF Planning: The Mission District Sreetscape Plan]
[SF Planning: Final draft of Better Streets (PDF)]
[NVSF: Proposed: Gateway Park At South End Of Dolores Street]

Closing: Delano's IGA Market

A reader sent this over the weekend:

It's not exactly Noe Valley but close to [enough to] warrant. Was just at [Delano's] in the Castro and noticed a lot of special 'sales'... Talked to the cashier and she said they are closing up in like 1-2 weeks. They announced this news on Wednesday (just before Thanksgiving). Bummer - she said she did not know why nor what will come into its place.

Then last night the RichmondSF blog posted that the Delano's on Geary is closing, which makes it likely that the South Van Ness location will also close. And with SocketSite reporting that the planned Market St Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are unlikely to pan out we could see more people coming over the hill to the Noe Valley Whole Foods.

[RSF: CLOSING: Delano’s Market at 27th & Geary; possible bankruptcy]
[SocketSite: Trader Joe’s Reportedly "Outed" From The Castro Over Traffic]
[SocketSite: Whole Foods Concerned About Market (Street), Delaying On Haight]
[Flickr: delanosiga]

Dear Santa: San Francisco Parents PAC Needs Donations For Toy Drive

From Todd David:

Alvarado parent September Rose-Owens is hosting a toy drive for a community based school located in the Bay View district. Each child ranging from ages 2 months to 5 years has created "Dear Santa" letters with three wishes, but out of 70 children there are 18 left without sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact September Rose-Owens ASAP. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you!

Announced: The Lux Condos On Outer Church

We noticed the above rendering of the development planned for 1596 Church St this morning, now to be called The Lux. The only information posted on the billboard is for Vangaurd real estate agent Keely Ferguson - nothing about financing, contractors or a time line. It's been more than a year since the Blue Church was converted to a vacant lot, but nothing has happened on the permit side of the equation other than a few complaints.

Seems that the original demolition permit was for "INTERIOR NON STRUCTURAL DEMOLITION WORK ONLY. MEZZANINE AND ALL STAIRWAYS TO REMAIN." And while there have been a few complaints, all have been abated with no action. The only new building permit application has been for a "street space" (read: less parking around job site).

The original and approved construction permit reads: "HORIZONTAL & VERTIAL ADDITION: SELECTIVE DEMO OF (E) CHURCH STRUCTURE W/ NEW VERTICAL ADDITION TO CREATE 4 STORY MIXED USE BUILDING HOUSING 6 RESIDENTIAL UNITS, RES. PARKING GARAGE & STREET FRONT COMMERCIAL SPACE."

All that jives with what we found searching for more info. An early rendering (with an equally silly name) from Kotas/Pantaleoni Architects shows the same design with less color:


Here's what they say about it:

Located on outer Church Street in San Francisco, the Del Mar Residences re-imagines a controversial blue church building for new uses in this quiet neighborhood. Our remodeling creates three flats and three townhouses over a new neighborhood commercial space. The building's base is reconstructed to create transparency and lightness, with a deeply recessed pathway on the south and a tall set of windows wrapping the corner. Large bays mark the intersection for drama and to collect light. The building is shaped to distinguish its parts and to balance the mass of a noteworthy large older building across the street.

So... Pretty pictures, but no new permits, no mention of financing and no time line. Will this development happen or are developers just gauging interest? Stay tuned.

Update (11/29): We received the following from Keely Ferguson:

Hello,

The project is fully entitled. The project will have 6 residential units over commercial space:

• 3 x 2 bd/2 ba flats, approx 1050s.f. each.
• 3 x 3 bd/2.5ba townhomes, approx 1750-2150 s.f. (they differ)

High end modern homes. All units have 1 parking space. Shared interior courtyard – some units have decks. Hope to deliver Spring 2012.

Thanks, Keely

In case you're wondering, here's what fully entitled means. Still no change on the building department's permits status page.

[NVSF: Blue church: Slated For Demo]

Open: Patxi's

A few days ahead of schedule - and before the grand opening on Dec. 1 - Patxi's opened for business today. It will be open 7 days a week, 11am-10pm (closed Thanksgiving).

And of course it's already been reviewed on Yelp.

Patxi’s Noe Valley
4042 24th Street
Phone: 415-285-2000

Update: As of Nov. 24 Patxi's Noe does have a beer and wine license.

Parklets: Construction Begins

The long-debated and awaited parklets on 24th St began construction today. The pavers are concrete and rest on steel beams; the planters are also steel. More details from StreetsBlogSF:

The new spaces were designed by Riyad Ghannam, who designed and built the first parklet in the city in front of the Mojo Bicycle Cafe on Divisadero street. The parklets will replace a total of four parking spaces and cost $37,000, the entirety of which came from Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development as part of their commercial revitalization budget. The Noe Valley Association, which represents merchants in the area, is the permit holder and will oversee the maintenance of the facilities.

Expect the parklets to be completed in front of Martha & Bros and Just For Fun in time for the weekend -- just in time for the rain.

Update from Carol Yenne:

The Permit Holder is the Noe Valley Association CBD which is the property owners of the commercial district, not the merchant association.

It would also be nice to mention this is a "trial" to see how folks like them. These are not not permanent parklet being set up.

Thanks,
Carol Yenne
Member of NVA CBD as well as NVMPA board.

[StreetsBlogSF: Noe Valley Parklet Installation Begins]

Open: Tango Advanced Nutrition

Tango Advanced Nutrition has opened in the small Church St nook in which Mabel Chong said she'd remain. What is Tango? "Tango Advanced Nutrition is an exclusive distributor of several groundbreaking herbal formulas designed by leading anti-aging scientists and herbal researchers in China." So...you now have a place to get your herbal prostate formula right here in Noe Valley.

Tango
1311 Church St

Drewes Meats: Now With Turducken

Drewes Meats has been almost-not-quite-going-out-of-business-and-still-hanging-in-there for over 100 years on the outer corridor of Church Street. This year it is reinventing itself with... Turducken.

Via 7x7 magazine:

"Just for the holidays, they've got free range, all natural Willie Bird Turkeys at $3.09/lb, while the organic ones start at $4.29/lb, and go up to 32 lbs! Petite Diestel turkeys start at $3.09/lb, while organic ones go for $4.29/lb. Drewes Brothers also do smoked turkeys, chickens and cornish game hens, as well as house made Turducken for the first time! They've been getting more orders for Turducken than expected so call ahead and reserve one by the 22nd. They're stuffed with andouille sausage, cranberries and pinenuts, and range from $135-150. They'll also brine your birds for you, for $4.99/lb. They'll take your bird orders until the day before Thanksgiving."

Drewes Bros. Meats 1706 Church Street, (415) 821-0515

[7x7: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Getting Your Turkey SF]
[Image: Drewes]

Saucy Joe's Knife Sharpening

If you've been wondering where to go to have your knives sharpened since Cook's Boulevard closed, Saucy Joe is setting up his stone near the Noe Valley Farmer's Market every Saturday this month on a trial basis (demand will dictate if he returns). The prices are reasonable, and Joe will sharpen while you wait.

[Saucy Joe]

Supes Race: Mandelman Concedes, Wiener Victorious

The final tally won't be official until the end of November, but the race for District 8 Supervisor is over. From SFGate:

...The other conceded race goes to Scott Wiener in District Eight. The second-place finisher in that showdown, Rafael Mandelman, issued his statement to ''Dear Friends'' on Wednesday.

''I cannot express just how incredibly grateful I am to all of you who have been part of my campaign for supervisor,'' Mandelman wrote. ''Unfortunately, after two years of dialing for dollars, knocking on doors, chasing after endorsements and harassing the bejeezus out of every registered voter we could track down in the district, we are firmly in second place. ... Scott Wiener will be the next supervisor for District Eight (and a very capable and excellent supervisor he will surely be), but I am so glad and grateful for the opportunity to represent you and your values in this campaign.''

Like Kim, Wiener also made use of the exclamation mark in a mass e-mail, stating: ''Victory!''

In the latest results, Wiener had 42.75 percent of the first-choice votes Thursday to Mandelman's 35.27 percent. But again, when voters' second- and third-choice votes were run in a preliminary count, Wiener surpassed the crucial 50 percent mark.

[SFGate: Kim, Wiener declare victory]

Patxi's Noe Valley Aims To Open December 1

Via Inside Scoop we learn Patxi's hopes to open on December 1, will have 65 seats, a beer/wine license and will be open 11am-11pm 10pm with delivery available.

Patxi’s Noe Valley
4042 24th Street
patxispizza.com

Update: The grand opening is slated for 5-7:00pm on Dec 1st with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Bevan Dufty, and Myth Busters cast member Tory Bellici (also a Patxi's investor) - and there will be "complimentary tastes of Patxi's pizzas" and a raffle. Look for online ordering via www.patxispizza.com in December.

[ISSF: Patxi’s Noe Valley looks to open in December]
[Patxi's blog: Patxi's Pizza Noe Valley Opens Dec 1st!]

Rainbow Over Noe Valley

Taken this afternoon while waiting for a cup of coffee from Blue Bottle at 26th and Sanchez. Also check out a very nice rainbow at SF Citizen.

Town Square: Update On Rec & Park Site Visit

Via Todd David:

On Wednesday, November 3, the Park and Rec Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC) met and discussed The Noe Valley Town Square Project.

Four members of Residents for Noe Valley Town Square attended the meeting--myself, Chris Keene (from Noe Valley Ministries), Erica Sweetman (from Noe Valley Farmers' Market), and Michael Powell (from Noe Valley Farmers' Market).

We made a 3 minute presentation to PROSAC and we submitted a letter strongly supporting the project from Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

PROSAC voted 11-1 to advise the Rec and Park Commission to utilize the Open Space Fund to purchase the property. However, the full PROSAC committee is 23 members and 12 affirmative votes are needed to officially endorse a project. All that being said, Residents for Noe Valley Town Square can still move forward and make a presentation to the Rec and Parks Commission explaining that only 12 PROSAC members were present at the November meeting and the vote to support the project was 11-1. And that is what we are planning on doing.

I want to thank District 8 PROSAC members Frank Triska and Jeanne McKinney for their unwavering support of the project. They have been strong advocates for the neighborhood. It is clear why Bevan Dufty appointed them to represent us.

NEXT STEPS

I don't know when we will be presenting to the Rec and Parks Commission. I will follow up with that important information ASAP.

This Thursday, November 11, I am meeting with Meredith Thomas (Executive Director of Neighborhood Parks Council) and Carlos Rivera (Manager of Circle Bank's 24th Street Location) to open an Escrow Account at Circle Bank for the Town Square. Once the details are worked out, I will send out an email explaining how you can contribute.

Thanks,
Todd David
Residents for Noe Valley Town Square

[NVSF: All Town Square Posts]

NVV Nov. 2010: We Read It So You Don't Have To

The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are highlights from the latest issue. Links are to items we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories online until mid-month.

November 2010

Front Page: Two parklets approved for 24th Street - one in front of Martha & Brothers, the other near Just for Fun; fairy doors on 24th Street; cell phone antennas on utility poles will get a hearing with the supes.

Features: Holiday recipes from local food purveyors and restaurateurs; an announcement of the "24 HoliDays on 24th Street" which will run Dec. 1-24 and include this year's Noel Stroll, Yule Rides, a menorah lighting, and Santa (you'll find a sort-of schedule here); Noe Valley music series leaves the Noe Valley Ministry and relocates to NOPA in February.

Cost of Living in Noe: Trophy homes are cold, condos are hot.

Traveling Voice: See pictures of the Voice schlepped to Turkey, Mumbai and Greece.

Rumors: Halloween on 24th Street - Noe Valley was ranked as the #1 destination in SF for trick-or-treating in 2010; the top costumes from the One Stop Party Shop on Church @ 28th were Lady Gaga, vampires...and beards (Go Giants!); the J-Church rail repairs = quieter trains on Church @ 30th - check out this cool time-lapse video of the whole thing; a recap of the color project on Duncan Street.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Preliminary Ranked Choice Results: Supes Race District 8

The short version: Scott Weiner leads with 12,985 total votes or 55.65% of the vote in Round 2 (Mandelman has 44.35%).

In case you were confused by the ranked choice voting, here's how it works:

The Ranked-Choice Voting Report for Round 1 combines the accumulated totals of first-choice rankings as well as the second- or third-choice selections transferred to the first-choice ranking selections when the first-choice ranking was skipped as required under San Francisco Charter Sec. 13.102: "If a voter casts a ranked-choice ballot but skips a rank, the voter's vote shall be transferred to that voter's next ranked choice."

The numbers are not final, and Mandelman has not conceded. The department will release final results on November 30, 2010.

[SF Department of Elections: Preliminary Ranked-Choice Results Report, Board of Supervisors, District 8]

Closing: Apple Blossom

Another bit of mini-blight in Noe's center: The women's clothing boutique tucked between Cotton Basics and a nail salon on Castro at 24th St (1303 Castro St) is closing its doors. Everything is ~50 percent off while supplies last.

Meanwhile, the former Cooks Boulevard spot a few doors down is also still empty. And around the corner, the postage-stamp-sized Mop Salon (4081 24th St) closed and the space is for rent as of late September.

Early Returns: District 8 Supes Race

Via SF Appeal:

San Francisco's elections for four new members of the 11-member Board of Supervisors remained undecided.

With no candidates achieving a 50-percent majority of votes in races in District 2, 6, 8 and 10, San Francisco's ranked-choice voting system will determine the winners in the coming days.

District 8 in the Castro District and Noe Valley will be led by either Deputy City Attorney Scott Weiner, who got nearly 42 percent of the vote, or public law and affordable housing attorney Rafael Mandelman, who received 36 percent.

[SF Appeal: 2010 Election: Newsom Probably Headed To Sacramento, Other SF Candidate Results]
[Images: Twitter]

Noe Valley Wells Fargo Robbed

Via Twitter:

CatherineBerg Catherine Bergstrom

@

.@murphstahoe I just walked by. Undercover cops galore & nervous Wells employee is telling pple that the branch is temp closed. Nobody hurt.

37 minutes ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

CatherineBerg Catherine Bergstrom

Yes, the #NoeValley Branch of Wells Fargo was robbed earlier this afternoon. Cops are still on the scene. #SF

42 minutes ago

CatherineBerg Catherine Bergstrom

What's with all of the undercover cops and nervous guy outside of the Wells Fargo on 24th Street in Noe Valley? @SFGate

Rollover Accident: 30th & Dolores

The above was sent with out any details. Speculation: the usual high rate of speed on Dolores combined with texting/phone/food/whatever. Just had to get to the freeway...

Anyone see the accident?