Identify most utilized transit stops and transit connections, and improve those locations for commuters.
Transit stops and shelters are often the first impression our residents have of their neighborhood each day. A transit shelter that is dilapidated, has trash and/or illegal dumping, or has outdated fixtures can make public transit unwelcoming and less safe. In the Sunset District Blueprint, we listed transit stops that are natural gathering places for our community, provide connections to other Muni lines, or otherwise need attention. Our goal is to improve these areas for commuters, students, seniors and families.
N-Judah Terminus (Judah Street and La Playa Street)
For the past several years, our office has engaged with community members in the La Playa area to improve the N-Judah turnaround area. In the past, volunteers have made great strides in greening the area. They have applied for and received funding for a Community Challenge Grant for the south portion of La Playa Park, and have worked with our office to install marked crosswalks and planters to improve pedestrian safety. Recently, our office worked with SF Public Works to remove and replace diseased and dying trees as well as plant new ones throughout La Playa Park. Additionally, the Recreation and Parks Department recently completed the renovation of the Judah restrooms, which has improved the area tremendously.
Currently, we are working on a project with the La Playa Park volunteers to implement improvements as part of a community process that began in 2012. Improvements include beautifying the Muni restroom located on the southeast corner of Judah and La Playa with public art, seating, landscaping and wayfinding. We have recently coordinated with the Planning Department to include this project as part of their Pavement to Parks Program (http://pavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/) which will help neighbors to receive the technical assistance required to implement these improvements.
L-Taraval Terminus (Wawona Street and 46th Avenue)
The terminus of the L-Taraval is a well-used transit hub due to its proximity to the San Francisco Zoo. Additionally, the development of 2800 Sloat Boulevard will bring many more residents to the area, making this an attractive alternative to commute to work each day. As this development comes online, our office will work with SFMTA and SF Public Works to improve the public realm around this important transit hub.
Other Stops
For the remainder of the stops and shelters listed in the Blueprint, we have begun a process within our office to evaluate each one based on a set of criteria we developed that includes cleanliness, quality of information, working NextBus information, and more. This summer, one of our interns went into the neighborhood to analyze each transit stop we outlined in the Blueprint. With this analysis, we were able to identify stops that need cleaning, improved signage, or graffiti removal. We will share this information with SFMTA and work with them on enhancing these areas for our transit riders in the very near future. SFMTA has committed to working with our office to address any existing issues at each of these shelters. Below we have provided an example of the evaluation of the N-Judah stop at 46th Avenue and Judah Street.
