New Parklet Application for 24th Street

What started out as a rumor in June is now a reality: A giant sign in the window at Patxi’s Pizza at 4042 24th St proclaims the pizza shop’s “notice of application to install and maintain a parklet” out front “for the purpose of placing tables, chairs, benches, landscaping and/or bike parking on a Parklet.” The application was filed by Jim Howard, head of marketing for Patxi’s.

Parklet permit - click the image to see it large

Sounds like a great place to enjoy a slice or a froyo on the sunny side of the street - but there are still some hurdles: Debra Niemann, who represents the Noe Valley Association and the Community Beautification District, told the Noe Valley Voice in no uncertain terms that the NVA will not approve any more parklets for 24th St. Period.

Hmmm. So it’s not a done deal and it’s unclear if the NVA can block the application, but hope springs eternal. Also of note – in this earlier post, when we first heard about the possible parklet, several commenters mentioned Patxi’s hasn’t always been the best neighbor – and unfortunately the double-parking delivery drivers may be compounding neighbors' ill will.

The final day for comment on the parklet application is August 5, 2015. If no protests are received, Patxi’s can submit a detailed plan for approval with the San Francisco Department of Public Works.

Update: An astute follower on Twitter reminded us that Patxi's has also applied for a parklet on Irving.

What do you think? Does 24th Street need a new parklet - and is this a good place for it?

This Weekend Is The Noe Valley Harvest Festival

The 9th Annual Noe Valley Harvest Festival is this Saturday from 10-5 on 24th St between Sanchez and Church. Expect music all day on two stages, over 50 local vendors, lots of fun for kids, costume contests (for dogs, too, natch) and the ubiquitous hay ride. The Farmer's Market will be open all day. Check out the official website and also photos from past years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012.

Harvest Fest is organized and run by volunteers from the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association, the Noe Valley Association and local residents.

What: Noe Valley Harvest Festival
Where: 24th St between Sanchez and Church
When: Saturday, October 26, 10AM-5PM
Cost: Free!

NVV Oct 2013: 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 notable highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories online until the middle of the month.

October 2013

Front Page: Noe's bar is hosting an Animal Care and Control fundraiser on Oct. 19; Harvest Fest is coming on Oct. 26; Real Foods is still closed (this is year 10).

Letters: Shannon on Duncan Street is not a fan of the many pigeons (aka flying rats) in the neighborhood; RIP Kathleen Dwyer, the "Bird Lady of Noe Valley."

Features and Short Takes: The Noe Valley Association is meeting for input on how to make 24th St safer for pedestrians on Oct 30 at 7pm in the Sally Brunn Library community room; several blocks in Noe will be under road construction to upgrade the water main - get details at sfwater.org/construction.

Cost of Living in Noe: Thirteen homes sold in Noe Valley this August and all for more than $1.35 million. The most expensive home that sold cost $5 million - and the average price of a home here is now $2.5 million. The average rent for a 1 bedroom? $2,761.

Store Trek: Griddle Fresh (4007 24th St)

Rumors: Todd David reports that The Noe Valley Town Square improvements should happen after the first of the year - in the meantime, the Square still needs to raise $300,000 more to reach the final improvement goal; Google and Genentech workers have pledged the most to the Square so far, but other companies have also kicked in with matching programs including Survey Monkey, Chevron, Apple, Disney, Salesforce, the Gap, Tibco, VMWare and nVidia; over 500 residents have pitched in. Millionaire NIMBYs are protesting their neighbors plans to improve or expand their houses. Noe Valley's red-hot real estate market makes news after the Twitter IPO was announced. A CardioTone pop-up opens in the old Bay Cleaners spot; the former Lola spot on Castro at 24th St. will soon be occupied by Nail Chic which is moving in from next door - the old Nail Chic space will become Tone of Music Audio, a high-end home entertainment components store that currently operates out of a living room on Jersey St.; Elisa's Health Spa has been taken over by the Huynh family which operates Crystal Island Massage in Oakland's Chinatown; When Modern Was owners Dona Taylor and Alison Porter are converting When Modern Was II into Buttons, an old-fashioned candy store. Douglass St resident Janet Kessler has created a YouTube video to raise awareness about coyotes in the city.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

This Weekend: Noe Valley Harvest Festival 2012

This Saturday kicks off the 8th Annual Noe Valley Harvest Festival from 10am - 5pm on 24th Street between Sanchez and Church. Get ready for a full day of hayrides, live music, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, and lots and lots of kids and pets in costumes. The Farmer's Market will also be an all-day affair from 8am - 5pm. Judging from the sponsors and the lineup this year's event looks to be bigger than ever -- the energy and costumes should be especially festive given it's an election year and THE GIANTS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES. (Woot!)

If you want a preview of what to expect, check out photos of previous Harvest Fest events here and here.

Noe Valley Word Week Starts Sunday

The Friends of Noe Valley present Word Week in Noe Valley:

Sunday, March 11th
My Favorite Book
Local celebs read from their favorite books and tell why. 3-4pm at the Noe Valley Library. Come hear Senator Mark Leno, Supervisor Scott Wiener, former Supervisor Bevan Dufty and his daughter Sidney, Noe Valley artist Ramon Sender, and Noe Valley Association Executive Director, Debra Niemann plus more.

Marshmallow Madness!: Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes by Shauna Sever. Enjoy yummy, puffy madness at this fun event from 3-4pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Monday, March 12th
Nonfiction Night
Organized by Judy Levy-Sender and Ramon Sender of Odd Mondays fame. On an even Monday at 7pm at Phoenix Bookstore. Five non-fiction authors will be reading from their work and answering questions from the audience.

Ginny Pizzardi: SF Noe Valley psychotherapist and author of Lessons In Loss-What Every Therapist Needs To Know. In her book, Pizzardi shows beginning and experienced therapists and laypersons what they need to know to face grief and loss.

Reverend Robert Warren Cromey: Retired Episcopal priest who is a therapist and the author of Sex Priest. Cromey is known for his courage in speaking out on rights of homosexuals and all beleaguered minorities.

Sydney Gurewitz Clemens: SF teacher and author of Pay Attention to the Children: Lessons for Teachers and Parents from Sylvia Ashton-Warner. This memoir tells of the influence of New Zealand author Sylvia Ashton-Warner, on Clemens’ work in Harlem and in Bayview-Hunter’s Point. Sydney has written two other books and is also a poet.

Bill Yenne: Author of novels and many history books has written about Noe Valley and most recently has written Cities of Gold. This book charts 5 centuries of quests based on rumor, inuendo, fable and fantasy about explorers, new world cities and people still seeking gold.

Mike Miller: Known for 50 years of activism with SLATE, SNCC, Mission Coalition and his pioneering work in the Organize Training Center. His book, A Community Organizer’s Tale details some of his accomplishments in community organization.

Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way by Chloe Coscarelli. Book discussion and signing from 6-7pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Tuesday, March 13th
How I Got My First Book Published
Authors dish all the dirt. 7pm at St. Philips Church. A panel of four local authors will discuss the ins and outs of getting a book to press. On the agenda are:

Michael Aleynikov: Ivan and Misha: A Novel in Stories – Northern California Book Award Best Gay Fiction, 2011

Chris Cole: His first novel is in the hands of his agent and prospective publishers

Carolyn Cooke: Daughters of the Revolution; The Bostons: Short Stories

Julia Flynn Siler: The House of Mondavi: The Rise and fall of an American Wine Dynasty; Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America’s First Imperial Adventure - San Francisco Chronicle’s bestseller list

Wednesday, March 14th
Notes From a Maine Kitchen by Kathy Gunst. Food and book signing, 6-7pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Thursday, March 15th
Happy Birthday Phoenix Books! Come celebrate the birthday of Noe Valley’s very own Phoenix Books with authors, music, and food. 7pm at Phoenix Books.

Friday, March 16th
Winning Student Writers Read Winning literary work from the kids in Noe Valley schools will be read by the student winners. 4-5pm at the Noe Valley Library. Come one come all to congratulate our budding authors!

Saturday, March 17th
A Taste of Paris: Words, Wine and Crime! Spend the afternoon with Cara Black, Noe Valley mystery writer, whose latest book is Murder at the Lanterne Rouse. 4-5:30pm at Le Zinc. $62 includes an autographed hard cover book, 2 course hors d’oeuvres and wine. RSVP to Le Zinc.

Reminder: Noe Valley Harvest Festival

A booster for the Noe Valley Harvest Festival (who asks to remain anonymous) would like to remind you of tomorrow's event:

This Saturday! 10AM -5PM. Some cool things: Farmer’s Market all day, live local music on TWO stages all DAY!, tons of children’s events. Pets and childrens costume contest 1:30 GREAT Prizes! Intensely great raffle – FIRST PRIZE TRIP TO HAWAII second prize IPAD! Come one, come all! See and be seen!

Street Trees: 24th St Blight To Get Blightier

The two trees in front of Real Foods are set for removal at the request of the owner, who apparently came out of hiding. The notice states multiple trunk injuries, decay, etc. The notice also states that the trees will be replaced by the Noe Valley Association, which is great but will leave a gap in the canopy for some time.

If you'd like to make the building owner show up at request a hearing to appeal the trees' removal contact the DPW Urban Forestry department at 2323 Cesar Chavez St, SF CA 94124. You can fax your letter to (415) 695-2147.

Click the photo for complete info.

Parking, Parklets and Other Backroom Deals in Noe Valley

Yesterday we learned from the Twittersphere that "new angled spots have arrived on Castro Street" between 24th and Jersey Streets. A fly-by and quick check on Mapjack confirms there is a gain of four parking spots on this block of Castro (there were six, now ten). Four spots were lost to trial of the parklets on 24th St. Coincidence?

Interestingly, earlier diagonal parking on Castro took years. But when Isa Muhawieh moved his salon to Jersey and Castro in 2005, he pushed through a "trial" that easily became permanent. With the parklets taking away 4 spots on 24th Street, the Noe Valley Merchants Association is rumored to have brokered a back-room deal to add this new parking to Castro St at 24th. The parklets are a six month trial with no guarantee of permanency, but it's unclear if the parking spaces on Castro are a trial or a done deal.

In other words plazas and parklets are controversial, but apparently adding parking places is just fine. For previous opponents of the plaza who objected to the NVMPA making decisions by fiat, where's the outrage? And for fans of the parklets, are you OK with this horse trade?

NVV December 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.

December 2010

Front Page: "This is the last edition you'll see until the first week of February 2011." And a pretty picture of fog.

Letters: Dismay over smoking in the parklet at Martha & Bros. (Ed.--illegal to smoke in SF parks since 2005 [pdf]); some poor soul can't figure out how to find a print copy of the Voice.

Features: Interview with Bevan Dufty on his eight years as District 8 Supervisor; City Guides has been offering Noe Valley tours since 2008 (with fun sketches of Victorian era "bric-a-brac" like sewer vent grates); Giants fans celebrated on 24th St; brief blurb on page 15 about 24 HoliDAYS on 24th St.

Cost of Living in Noe: 16 Single Family Homes sold in October, 11 of those over asking.

Short Takes: A few events in Glen Park, Scottish dancers at the Noe Valley Ministry, fun at the Randall Museum in Corona Heights, a workshop for public artists at the SF Arts Commission on Van Ness, a show at the Marsh Theater on Valencia, and Paxton Gate in the Mission turns 18. Also a bit about upcoming changes to Cesar Chavez.

Crime Beat: Turns out there were two bank robberies last month.

Store Trek: Design Quarter; Re:Construction Salon.

Traveling Voice: Not.

Rumors: Election results; Wiener sets priorities (like the Town Square and Real Foods); Town Square moves ahead (for more info the Voice suggests "googling 'Noe Valley Town Square'"); the Tech Search Party raised "just over $17,000" for Alvarado Elementary School; Delano's is closing its "Eureka Valley" location; Parklets hit 24th St; and this excellent tidbit about the Noe Valley Association:

The NVA, and the 10 members serving on its board of directors, has an annual budget of $230,000, funded by a parcel tax on each of the 179 property owners in the 24th Street/Castro Street shopping area. The board has been quite active this year improving Main Street. They steered the Pavement to Parks process that brought us the parklets. Seven new benches were installed on 24th Street. Few people realize the NVA spends $10,000 a month keeping 24th Street trash-free, maintaining the miniparks in the public parking lot and the Ministry parking lot, tending the many planters and flower baskets and trees, as well as regularly cleaning the Downtown Noe Valley sidewalks. The NVA sponsors, or co-sponsors - in addition to 24 HoliDAYS - the Harvest Festival, the Noe Courts Easter Egg Hunt, and the Summer Solstice.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

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]

Approved: Parklets For 24th Street

22nd St at Bartlett

From murphstahoe:

The 24th Street Parklets were approved by ISCOTT (the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation) today! They are permitted for a 6 month trial beginning in November. At the meeting the Parklets were supported by Debra Neimann from NVA, myself, Martha's Coffee Founder Martha Monroy, Supervisor Dufty's Legislative Aide Todd David, Louis Bryan, and Supervisor Candidate Scott Wiener in the form of his proxy, Gillian Gillett.

As I mentioned before, they will be going in front of Martha's Coffee and Just for Fun. See you out there!

Just in time for winter.

[Pavement To Parks]

Noe Valley Plaza: Tea Party Filibuster Hijacks Community Meeting

Apparently some people missed the memo - tonight's community meeting was never intended to be a town meeting.

Even so, the boos and jeers started as soon as Andres Power started speaking. The "Don't Block Noe" crowd was at tonight's meeting in force and insisted on being heard. What was supposed to be a 20 minute presentation of the results of the traffic study and the status of the project so far twice had Planning staffer Sarah Dennis-Phillips scolding the crowd: "Next time Andres is interrupted Planning is leaving and none of you will be heard." Momentary quiet.

The shouting resumed 2 minutes later after Andres said the words "easily removable" and "if the project moved forward" at least 20 more times. Despite angry shushing, Bevan Dufty (who arrived late from a budget meeting) had to take the mic and also had the quote of the evening: "It will make the news if we have to call the police to a meeting in Noe Valley." Nervous laughter.

General gist voiced by Bevan, Andres and other members of the Planning staff: "It will be difficult to move forward" with this project given the "vocal opposition."

This will not be resolved anytime soon.

Update: Video uploaded to Youtube by sattvicwarrior

Noe Valley Plaza: Agenda And Fact Sheet For Community Meeting

From Andres Power:

Dear Noe Valleyans,

In preparation for next week's community workshop, attached please find a three-page fact sheet highlighting the goals of Pavement to Parks, some preliminary analysis of the Noe Street option and other locations suggested by the community at our first workshop, and a brief overview of how the options would be evaluated, should they move forward towards a trial.

Thanks,

Andres Power
sfpavementtoparks@sfplanning.org

The fact sheet is here (PDF)

What: Noe Valley Pavement to Parks Community Meeting #2
When: Wednesday, June 30rd, 7:30-9:00pm
Where: St. Philip School, 665 Elizabeth Street @ Diamond

Pixie Hall Studios will provide a calls for kids free of charge so parents can attend the meeting. Details to follow.

[NVSF: All Plaza Posts]

Family Fun This Weekend

Two events worth noting:

The Noe Valley Association and the Noe Valley Merchant's and Professional's Association are putting on the first annual Midsummer Celebration from 3-6pm on Saturday, June 19th. Among other things, there's a hayride leaving from Walgreen's, a petting zoo and face painting at the Noe Valley Ministry parking lot, and garden demos at Whole Foods. Live music, too.

And on the 20th, it's Sunday Streets in the Mission from 10am-3pm. Follow the link for a map of street closures and events.

Noe Valley Pavement to Parks Community Meeting, Round 2

Via Bevan Dufty's June Newsletter:

Noe Valley Pavement to Parks Community Meeting

On Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:30 pm at St Philip's school, we will hold the second community meeting on the Pavement to Parks proposal for Noe and 24th streets.

I will be joined by Andres Power and David Alumbaugh of the San Francisco Planning Department and a Traffic Engineer from the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA).

A spirited community workshop was held on April 8th to discuss a temporary trial closure of Noe Street at 24th Street. The meeting was well attended by those for and against a temporary trial closure. Participants also suggested a number other ideas for improving the public realm along 24th Street that are being pursued.

Since April, Planning/DPT have conducted traffic studies and new data as well as greater details on how the trial would be evaluated and assessed will be presented.

What: Noe Valley Pavement to Parks Community #2
When: Wednesday, June 23rd, 6:30 pm
Where: St. Philip School, 665 Elizabeth Street @ Diamond

Noe Valley Plaza: NVMPA Unanimous In Support

In a letter to the Editor of the Noe Valley Voice ostensibly to be printed next month the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association unanimously endorses a full plaza at 24th and Noe Streets:

Today, the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association has gone on record of supporting the proposed trial of the Noe Valley Plaza.

The vote taken was one hundred percent in favor of the proposed trial.

Enclosed find a certified copy of the Resolution presented and approved. Please, publish this letter and the enclosed Resolution in their entirety.

We are whole heartily in support of the proposal and believe that once a trial is underway the community will be in favor, including those adjacent as well; that a neighborhood center where neighborhood activities can be conducted and presented will benefit the entire community; and that the Noe Valley Plaza will be a model for future urban design and the corner stone of the Mayor's Pavement to Park program.

The Noe Valley Plaza is beneficial to our community, our neighbors, our customers and our fellow merchants.

Thank you,

Robert T. Roddick
President
Noe Valley Merchant and
Professionals Association.

NOE VALLEY
MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONALS
ASSOCIATION, INC.
A Nonprofit Corporation
P.O. Box 460574
San Francisco, CA 94146

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that the Noe Valley Plaza would serve the community as a whole by providing an open space to be used as a neighborhood center;

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that the location at the South side of Noe Street at 24th Street is the ideal location for such a community center because it is the center of the 24th Street Commercial Corridor and has the recommendation of the San Francisco Planning Department;

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that the installation of the Noe Valley Plaza will boost business along the 24th Street Commercial Corridor which has been confirmed by past studies. One such study was reported in the San Francisco's Chronicle Parade, "...outdoor seating areas boost foot traffic by 20%, leading to 10% more retail sales. Local property values also increase by 7%. In San Francisco four new plazas will be open this summer."

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that the installation of the Noe Valley Plaza will add to the community, making Noe Valley a destination location for tourists and visitors;

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that once the trial installation of the plaza is established that the community as a whole will find it beneficial and prefer that it become permanent; and

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that with the proper study that the trial will afford a well designed plan balancing the needs of the pedestrians, drivers, customs and merchants; and

WHEREAS the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association believes that the Noe Valley Plaza is on the cutting edge of urban design for better living and will be an inspiration for other neighborhoods. This summer San Francisco is opening four new plazas;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association goes on record of supporting the installation of the temporary plaza on the Southside of Noe Street at 24th Street on a trial basis to determine the benefits and the detriments in accordance with the Mayor's Pavement to Parks program.

APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY on May 11, 2010.

Thanks to a reader for passing this on.

Pavement To Parks: Feedback Appreciated

Via email:

Dear Noe Valley Community Member,

I would like to thank you for taking the time to send an email expressing your opinions and thoughts about the proposed Noe Valley Pavement to Park. We have received hundreds of emails, both supportive of and opposed to the trial, and unfortunately, we cannot respond individually to each. I would like to assure you that every email has been read and noted. Based on comments we heard at the April 8th community meeting, we are conducting some additional analysis in advance of a meeting tentatively scheduled for late May. I will send out an email invitation for the next meeting as the date gets a bit closer.

Again, thanks for taking the time to make your voice heard. It's much appreciated.

Best,

Andres Power
Pavement to Parks Project Manager

[NVSF: Parklets and Plazas: Notes from the April 8 Noe Valley Community Meeting]

More Pavement to Parks - and the Noe Valley Master Plan

Here's some further reading for those who want to be well-prepared for the Community Meeting on April 8 at 6:30PM at St. Philip's (665 Elizabeth Street) to discuss the proposed parklet/plaza at Noe and 24th:

• The Noe Valley Association (NVA) has assembled a Questions & Answers document (PDF) to address Noe Valley community questions and concerns regarding the Pavement to Parks Program options for the neighborhood.


• The Noe Valley Long-Term Plan is a 29-page PDF of the NVA's long-range plan developed for 24th Street involving extensive public meetings and community input starting in 2006. From the report:
  

The plan proposes strategies that would enhance the pedestrian experience of the street while addressing the need for amenities that encourage community interaction and taking into account environmental concerns…

• Reader Murphstahoe highlights sketches of the proposed plaza/parklet on a blog dedicated to the creation of the plaza persuasively titled Yes Noe Valley.


• And Kit Hodge, director of the San Francisco Great Streets Project points us to analysis his organization has done on the impact of other Pavement to Parks projects. He emphasizes that these are "independent reports; the City does its own data collection on traffic and other issues. But our analysis might help answer some questions for the curious." Also, the "before" study of the parklet on Divisadero is done; the group will be completing the "after" portion and issuing a report in a few months.