Community Freeway Transformation Initiative
Category SOMA Community
On Saturday, local residents gathered on Bernice Street in a community effort aimed at garnering support for a transformative project that could reshape their neighborhood.
The focus of this gathering was a proposal to repurpose a portion of San Francisco's freeway system, specifically the Central Freeway "Stub," into something that would bring lasting benefits to the community. The event was part of a broader awareness campaign spearheaded by Vision Blvd & Greening Projects, organizations dedicated to sustainable urban development and enhancing public spaces.
The leaders of Vision Blvd have set their sights on the removal of another segment of the Central Freeway "Stub," which has loomed over 13th & Division Streets for over six decades. Given the success of the removal of a previous one-mile-long section of this freeway, they believe the city is poised to embrace this next step in reclaiming urban land from outdated infrastructure.
Vision Blvd has outlined four key benefits that this initiative would bring to the neighborhood: Housing, by creating space for affordable and mixed-use developments; Open Space, by providing more parks and green areas for the community; Transportation, by improving walkability, bike lanes, and public transit options; and Business, by stimulating local commerce and fostering a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
San Francisco's history of removing harmful freeway structures is well-documented, and the city has continually been recognized for its forward-thinking approach to urban renewal. Previous projects, such as the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway, have shown how communities can thrive when outdated infrastructure is replaced with spaces that benefit the public. This latest effort, if successful, could further strengthen San Francisco’s legacy as a leader in urban transformation, improving both the quality of life for its residents and the environmental sustainability of its neighborhoods.