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Dear Mr. Mayor,
I want to tell you what a fine job you are doing and I applaud your efforts in managing this city. Thank you. I do have some suggestions for beautifying the city and managing its growth.
BUSINESS LOOP
I applaud the redevelopment of South of Market and the beautiful skyscrapers rising in our downtown area. One idea to help manage the traffic flow of the downtown area is to create a business zone loop. That would mean creating one way boulevards that are open to cars, buses and bicycles. Here are some suggestions:
Create a business loop district by making one way streets;
Open up Market Street to the Embarcadero to ease traffic congestion;
Create a one way thoroughfare for Market Street going Westbound from the Ferry Building to Van Ness Avenue; Loop around Mission Street and make it a one way street Eastbound to the Ferry Building;
Create a Muni streetcar line dedicated to this downtown loop circling the business district.
This would allow traffic to flow in one direction in the higher density district, allow turns off the street to side streets, and defining the business district dedicated to higher density buildings.
CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
My next idea for the redevelopment of civic center is to recreate a public square. Imagine the Place de la Concorde in Paris or Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.
Completely start over Civic Center Plaza by paving the entire square with smooth and even cobblestone;
Open the United Nations mall to two way traffic allowing it to move into the Civic Center and use it as a grand traffic circle;
Move the Goddess of California statue to the middle of this traffic circle and have a large circular fountain around it with the four pioneer statues;
Place large uplighting around the fountain at night for dramatic effect.
On Wednesdays, close off “United Nations Avenue” for the Farmers Market to retain the community local market.
The new plaza could easily be blocked off for civic celebrations. It would be easier to contain the Black and White Ball, City and State fairs and especially for Halloween and New Year’s Eve events. It would give the City Hall and surrounding buildings the perfect backdrop for an elegant and sophisticated gathering place for all San Franciscans especially for visiting dignitary visits.
UPPER MARKET STREET LIGHTING
And finally, how about putting uplighting on the beautiful palm trees along Upper Market Street? It would really give the district added panache.
Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Michael Townsend
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