- Welcome to another SF Parks site! :tada:/
- Park Improvements/
- Active Park Projects/
- Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project/
Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project
Buchanan Street Mall is a pedestrian walkway and city park that runs through a five-block section of the Western Addition, from Eddy Street to Grove Street. Its renovation, planned with neighbors and local community organizations, will transform the park into a safe, vibrant hub for recreation, arts, culture, and inter-generational connection. The project also includes sewer improvements and new green infrastructure, in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Construction is underway April 2025-late 2026.
- Read our latest construction update > > (posted June 17, 2025)
- Sign-up to receive project updates via email or text at tinyurl.com/buchananupdates
Background
The Buchanan Street Mall was built by the then-San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, opened to the public in 1975, and transferred to the Recreation and Park Department in 1976. The park underwent major renovations in the late 1980s and early 1990s and received repairs in the early 2000s.
After years of underuse, the Buchanan Street Mall came alive again in 2015 after the San Francisco Recreation and Park department, project partners, and community members celebrated the first activation: installation of temporary gardens, benches, archways, historical photos, lighting, and two “audio-domes” providing stories from the neighborhood.
In 2017, after extensive outreach and input from the community, the Buchanan Street Mall Vision Plan was complete. This plan has helped guide Rec and Park and key partners Citizen Film, Green Streets, and Trust for Public Land, to create a conceptual design for the entire five blocks of the park. The concept plan was developed by the Office of Cheryl Barton, with support from Studio MLA, and was approved by the Recreation and Parks Commission in April 2020. The concept plan provided an essential story on why funding was vital while also helping to guide future capital investment for the community.
With the support of key partners and city, state, and federal funding, Rec and Park has secured over $30 million for this project. We are working with Public Works on detailing the design and will renovate all five blocks of Buchanan Mall, including the installation of decorative paving and foundational art elements along a new Memory Walk, and three park-activation kiosks to support education and entrepreneurship in the Fillmore.
Key Project Goals
- Safety, lighting, and beautification
- Connect all blocks and unify the community
- Tell the story of the community and the neighborhood
- Social interaction and multi-generational recreation
- Skills training and jobs creation
- Urban greening and stormwater management
Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative
Rec and Park launched a Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative, after hearing directly from the Fillmore Community and key partner organizations on the importance of public investments translating to a park project that is meaningful to the community. That means we are focusing on strengthening the neighborhood, creating equitable economic opportunity, and improving health and wellness for everyone in the Western Addition.
This PIEA Initiative will ensure that the Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project is a community driven process that centers the rich culture, legacy, and identity of the neighborhood. Thank you to Senator Scott Wiener for securing State funding that will go towards transforming the park while uplifting the community.
Estimated Project Schedule
Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
Planning | January 2015 |
Design: Conceptual Design | April 2020 |
Design: Turk to Golden Gate | September 2021 |
Design: Eddy to Turk and McAllister to Fulton | May 2022 |
Design: Golden Gate to McAllister and McAllister to Fulton | April 2023 |
Design: Memory Walk | September 2023 |
Construction | Early 2025 |
Open to the public | Mid 2026 |
Note: Design for park renovations has proceeded block by block, as funding became available.
Funding
The Buchanan Street Mall conceptual design was funded by The Trust for Public Land and its donors.
Main sources of project funding include:
- 2012 Neighborhood Parks Bond Let’sPlaySF! program
- 2020 Health and Recovery Bond
- Development impact fees
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
- State Budget allocation from Senator Wiener
- Prop 68 Statewide Parks Grant
- Outdoor Recreational Legacy Partnership grant through the National Park Service
- And other public funds
Resources
- Memory Walk Concept Design, September 2023
- Eddy to Turk Schematic Design by SF Public Works
- Turk to Golden Gate Schematic Design by SF Public Works
- Golden Gate to McAllister Schematic Design by SF Public Works
- McAllister to Fulton Schematic Design by SF Public Works
- Fulton to Grove Schematic Design by SF Public Works
- Park Conceptual Design by Office of Cheryl Barton
- Video about Buchanan Street Mall visioning process
#BuchananChange
Project Partners
The Trust for Public Land - A national nonprofit founded in San Francisco in 1972 to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. TPL funded the conceptual design contract and is supporting community outreach and engagement and the development of the Memory Walk through administering a Prop 68 Statewide Parks project grant.
Citizen Film - A nationally recognized nonprofit that uses documentary storytelling, including film, oral histories, and other media, as a tool to foster dialogue about solutions to local problems. Citizen Film has partnered with Green Streets to engage neighbors, tell stories of community empowerment, facilitate park activation, and develop artwork and interpretive elements along the Memory Walk.
Green Streets - The staff of this small local business were key community organizers and members of the Design Task Force, which developed the Activation design and continue to connect the community to the project and cultivate new opportunity for local entrepreneurs. Green Streets is a social enterprise providing environmental services and beautification through recycling, composting, and community education programs.
The Exploratorium - Exploratorium Studio for Public Spaces works in the public realm to create exhibits and environments that encourage play, exploration, creativity, and social connection. The Exploratorium Studio designed the initial activation project and facilitated a unique community design-build process. The studio continues to advise on the project.
Success Centers - As part of the Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative, Rec and Park is collaborating with local nonprofit Success Centers to create hyperlocal jobs and skills trainings through park renovations construction contract, workforce development, and entrepreneur cultivation. Success Centers has 40 years of experience breaking down barriers to empower communities and build new pathways to success.
Project Updates
If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here , scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select “RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates” to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. You’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.
Project Updates
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, June 2025
Construction at Buchanan Street Mall is making great progress! Major work has been focused on carefully mapping and assessing existing utilities, and refining our plans for health and safety, site logistics, and traffic control. There has also been some Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, May 2025
Our contractor has mobilized, and tree work has begun at Buchanan Street Mall. Tree work on the southern blocks is well underway, with a cluster of pine trees south of McAllister to be removed next week. Tree work will continue progressing to the Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Upcoming Job Fair + Opportunities for Artists
We want to make sure folks are aware of these upcoming opportunities. First, if you are interested in making art for the Memory Walk at Buchanan Street Mall, please compete the interest form by Friday, May 23. This is a great chance for both new and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Equity Action Opportunities
As part of our Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project and Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative, we want to make sure folks are aware of these upcoming opportunities. Come out to talk to members of the Memory Walk Art Advisory Committee about the Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update - Tree Removals and Construction Fencing in early May
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Tree work and tree removal will begin at Buchanan Street Mall the week of May 5. This work is expected to take approximately 2 weeks. Tree work will happen between 7am - 3pm. Expect to see barriers around work zones, marked detours for Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Calling Artists (who have strong ties to the Fillmore)
You are invited to submit an application for your art to be considered for the Buchanan Street Mall Memory Walk! Applications are due on May 23, 2025, by 5:00 pm. The initiative includes art that honors the neighborhood’s rich history, culture and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction begins at Buchanan Street Mall
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the groundbreaking on March 27th! It was a beautiful celebration for and with the Fillmore community. We’re excited to share this milestone moment with you. After more than 10 years of visioning, planning, and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Mayor Lurie Breaks Ground on Renovation of Buchanan Street Mall
Long-Anticipated Project Marks the Culmination of a Partnership Between the City and Fillmore Community. Community Space Will Celebrate the History of the Neighborhood While Marking a New Chapter for Western Addition. Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Groundbreaking event on March 27!
Join us for the groundbreaking of the Buchanan Street Mall Project on Thursday, March 27 beginning at 9:45 a.m. Buchanan Street Mall is a pedestrian walkway and city park that runs through a five-block section of the Western Addition, from Eddy Street to Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Panel Discussion on Black Public Art in SF + Paid Opportunities for Youth
We’re pleased to share two upcoming opportunities to participate in the development of the Memory Walk at Buchanan Street Mall. Join legendary artists Dana King, Kristine Mays, and Malik Seneferu in a panel discussion moderated by Adrian Owens and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Exciting Opportunity Alert - Orientation for Construction Training!
Build Your Future with Success Centers and the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations Project! Are you ready to jumpstart your career in construction? Our workforce development partner, Success Centers, is hosting Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Read on…
Let’sPlaySF! Initiative | Take the Let’sPlaySF! Playground Survey open through January 31, 2025
Thanks to the successful Let’sPlaySF! Initiative funded by the 2012 Park Bond, SF Parks Alliance, and philanthropic partners we are renovating 13 dilapidated playgrounds across our city. With 11 playgrounds already beautifully renovated and two more Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Project update, November 2024
Thanks to all who joined us for a Community Gathering at the African American Arts & Culture Complex on 11/12! It was nice to see so many familiar faces, and we are filled with gratitude for you community members who have been such wonderful advocates for Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Buchanan Mall Gathering & Project Updates
Join the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (SFRPD), Trust for Public Land (TPL), Citizen Film, and the Memory Walk Art Advisory Committee (MWAC) for a festive gathering to review the latest updates on the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Sunday Streets in Western Addition, this Sunday, Sept 22!
Join us at Buchanan Street Mall this Sunday, September 22 for Sunday Streets’ Western Addition Community Block Party! Our project team will be sharing a table with Trust for Public Land to show plans and renderings of the renovated Buchanan Street Mall Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Buchanan Mall Memory Walk and Workforce Development
It’s been an active August at Buchanan Street Mall! Rec and Park and project team staff participated in the carnival/ backpack give away/ jobs fair on August 3 and National Night Out on August 6. At both events, we shared information on two key elements: Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Carnival and Job Fair at Buchanan Mall this Saturday
The project team has been busy the first half of this year, finalizing drawings and specifications, and we are just about ready to put the project out for public bid under a Best Value contract. Rec and Park is working to complete several workforce Read on…
Thank you! Contractor Meet & Greet on July 22 a big success!
Thank you to all who attended the contractor meet & greet event on July 22! At the event we shared information on three important RPD projects that will be advertising this summer and fall: Buchanan Street Mall, Portsmouth Square, and India Basin Read on…
Contractor Meet & Greet event on July 22, 1pm-3pm
Attention General contractors and Local Business Enterprise contractors: Please join us for a Contractor Meet & Greet event on July 22, 1pm-3pm, at 49 South Van Ness to learn about Rec & Park’s investment in equity and upcoming opportunities on Read on…
Upcoming Job Fairs related to Buchanan Street Mall Renovations
As part of the Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative, SF Rec and Park is working with partner organization Success Centers to connect Fillmore community members with current and upcoming job opportunities. We have two scheduled Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | $8.1 million federal ORLP grant awarded for Buchanan Street Mall renovation
In early 2023, the state of California recommended to the National Park Service that the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations project receive additional federal funding. We just found out that an additional $8.1 million is being awarded to Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | 2023: Community Building Before Park Building
Tremendous thanks to everyone who has participated in community gatherings, events, focus groups, and surveys in 2023! The Fillmore Community showed up, shared honestly and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | End-of-year Community Gathering, Thursday, December 14
In 2023 Rec and Park and core partners hosted twelve gatherings in the Fillmore Community, with a focus on community-building, equity, and healing. The Park Improvement Equity Action Initiative has led to the development of Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Project update October 2023
Design continues to progress, and—though there is a slight delay due to utility conflicts—park renovations are still planned to begin early summer 2024 and complete in Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Memory Walk design reviews + workforce development meetings this week!
This is a full week for the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations project! The Buchanan Street Mall project team is seeking San Francisco Arts Commission Civic Design Review committee approval on the Read on…
Last call for the Buchanan Mall Memory Walk survey!
If you haven’t yet, please take 10 minutes to complete the survey before 5pm on this Thursday, 8/10/2023! Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall Renovations | Healing circles and Memory Walk design
Thanks to everyone who is showing up and participating in summer healing circles. Community gatherings continue every other Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall Renovations | Join us for Summer Community Gatherings in June, July, and August
Join neighbors and facilitators to continue conversations on healing and transformation in our community Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall Renovations | Summer Community Gatherings, June-August
Join neighbors and facilitators to continue conversations on healing and transformation in our community Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | May Community Gatherings focus on the Memory Walk
Thanks to everyone who has participated in healing circles over the past several weeks as part of the Buchanan Street Mall Equity Action Initiative Read on…
Documents and Materials
Commission Materials
- Recreation and Parks Commission, staff report, Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project – MOU with SFPUC, February 5, 2025 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, staff report, Buchanan Street Mall Renovations – Contract Award, December 19, 2024 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, staff report, Buchanan Street Mall - Memory Walk Status Update, September 21, 2023 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, staff report, Buchanan Street Mall - Memory Walk Conceptual Design presentation, September 21, 2023 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, staff report, Concept Design, March 2020 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, presentation, November 21, 2019 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, Turk to Golden Gate Concept Design, staff report, November 21, 2019 (PDF)
- Recreation and Parks Commission, Activation Project, staff report, July 1, 2015 (PDF)
- Recreation and Park Commission - Capital Committee, presentation, July 1, 2015 (PDF)
Grant Award Materials
- Buchanan Street Mall – Grant Agreement and Accept and Expend, June 17, 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall Park Improvement Project – Grant Application, Accept and Expend, and Associated Agreement, April 7, 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall – Grant Agreement and Accept and Expend, December 16, 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Mall and India Basin Specified Grant Resolution to Apply, Accept, and Expend, December 16, 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall - Trust for Public Land Grant Acceptance and Agreement, February 6, 2019 (PDF)
- Let’sPlaySF! SFPA Related Agreement for Buchanan Street Mall playground renovation, February 6, 2019 (PDF)
- Approval of Grant Agreement for Buchanan Street Mall Visioning Grant, April 6, 2016 (PDF)
- Approval for Buchanan Street Mall Park Activation Project, July 1, 2015 (PDF)
Community Meetings - Notes and Presentations
- Park Improvement Equity Action summary boards, December 2023 (PDF)
- Community meeting presentation, January 19, 2021 (PDF)
- Community meeting notes, January 19, 2021 (PDF)
Additional Project Documents
- Buchanan Street Mall - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design public art for the Phase 1 art opportunities on the Memory Walk, April 2025 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Flyer for Memory Walk Advisory Committee (MWAC) August 2024 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, One-pager on Workforce Development Provisions, August 2024 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Civic Design Review, September 2023 (PDF)
- Golden Gate to McAllister Schematic Design by SF Public Works, April 2023 (PDF)
- Grove to Fulton Schematic Design by SF Public Works, April 2023 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Civic Design Review, March 2023 (PDF)
- Eddy to Turk Schematic Design by SF Public Works, May 2022 (PDF)
- McAllister to Fulton Schematic Design by SF Public Works, May 2022 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Civic Design Review, May 2022 (PDF)
- Turk to Golden Gate Schematic Design by SF Public Works, September 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Civic Design Review, September 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall, Art Enrichment Allocation Report, August 25, 2021 (PDF)
- Buchanan Mall Concept Design, February 2020 (PDF)
- Buchanan Street Mall Vision Statement, March 2017 (PDF)
Contact Us
Lauren Dietrich Chavez
Project Manager Email Phone: 1-628-652-6643