San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood could soon be back on “center stage.”
Supervisor Bilal Mahmood Thursday announced a proposal to create a new theater arts district along a portion of Market Street.
The proposal would create a vibrant destination in a neighborhood that’s had a history of struggles.
The supervisor says this idea is a multi-pronged approach; that includes upgrades that people would not only see, but also experience.
At Oxford Street Clothing Store, the owners have seen the ups and downs along mid-Market street over the decades.
“Market used to be alive, now it’s different. No traffic, no people want to come down,” Nahil Hanhan said.
She points to concerns they’ve heard through the years including drug activity, but say things seem to be moving in the right direction.
“It’s improving but it needs more,” Hanhan said.
The corridor is home to iconic theaters and music venues. Thursday, Supervisor Bilal Mahood announced a proposal for a Theater Arts district on Market from 5th to 9th Street.
“The idea basically is that if you walk down Market Street, it is the economic engine of for the city arts and culture, now there is a lot of focus on downtown and office and tech, but really not enough focus on the arts and culture which has been the beating heart of our city for so long,” Mahmood said.
He says already a million visitors a year come into the city to visit theaters, laying the groundwork for economic growth and the proposal would bring public enhancements.
“So imagine art-filled crosswalks that actually feature your favorite plays and musicals, interactive imagery and lighting and led lighting and billboards that actually indicate with San Francisco character,” Mahmood said.
This folds in with city small business investments and work on public safety, like increased foot patrols. He says UN plaza is an example of strides being made.
“Through a combination of public safety, enhancement and ambassadors. And turning it into a skatepark and an area where people would gather and changing the physical architecture of the block, we don’t see the open air drug market anymore,” Mahmood said.
“We would love to see the neighborhood get this kind of catalytic treatment that could really continue to foster the economic revitalization that we see happening here and across the broader downtown,” said Fernando Pujals, executive director with the Mid Market Business Association.
The proposal would run about $5 million, and Mahmood says they’re looking to privately fundraise. The initial pilot would run about $1 million.