POWELL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The Powell Street Improvement Project re-envisions the three-block stretch of Powell Street from Market Street to Union Square to elevate the historic corridor. Led by Field Operations and in partnership with SITELAB, the new vision celebrates the iconic cable car, and includes a new street design and diverse programming. 

Building upon ongoing work reimagining downtown San Francisco’s public realm, SITELAB partnered with Field Operations to answer the call by Union Square Alliance and the City of San Francisco to create a world class design for Powell Street. For over 150 years, Powell Street and the larger Union Square area has been a central hub of activity and, for most visitors, a gateway to San Francisco. It has been decades since the City has made any major investments to Powell Street.

Field Operations and SITELAB began our work with studying site conditions as well as a public survey hearing from nearly 1,000 San Francisco residents, workers, and visitors about what Powell Street means to them and their desired improvements.

Inspired by the lanterns of San Francisco and golden details found along Powell Street, the street is adorned with a “ceiling” of custom lanterns to create a romantic quality and ambiance, and anchored by a large-scale “Golden Lantern” feature embedded with vintage cable car tokens over the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market. It also includes a cohesive streetscape experience, with a widened sidewalk for outdoor dining and programming opportunities; extra “sparkle” in the pavement via metallic inlays; new trees and plantings along the corridor; and interpretive signage and art opportunities.

SITELAB led the programming proposals which can additionally bring freshness to Powell and support a greater sense of vibrancy on the ground floor. Proposed programming for the near term is focused on quick, targeted moves to address the urgency to activate the street as it is today—including food and beverage carts paired with movable tables and chairs, vacant storefront treatments, pop-up stores and exhibits through the proposed Vacant to Vibrant program for Powell, and seasonal dance performances. Long term programming once the full vision is built supports Powell Street as a destination worth visiting day and night, with a focus on outdoor dining as desired by the public; a kiosk offering a one stop shop for visitor information and tickets for shows in the nearby theater district; and new experiences for locals and visitors alike.

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