Haight Residents, Merchants Express Frustration With Ongoing Infrastructure Project

Haight Residents, Merchants Express Frustration With Ongoing Infrastructure ProjectPhoto: Amy Stephenson/Hoodline
Amy Stephenson
Published on September 13, 2016

As the infrastructure project around the 1400-1500 blocks of Haight rages on, noise levels and parking disruptions have some residents and merchants frustrated. 

We reported last month that some Haight merchants were so concerned about the potential loss of business during the busy summer months that they considered protesting. Ultimately, they didn't, but Jammin' on Haight owner Sunshine Powers is still seeing the impact of the construction.

"Construction has slowed down business, and my workers are having to talk very loud/yell at customers due to the noise," Powers said in an email, noting that she's also seeing less foot traffic. "You can look down the street on Ashbury and see more people, [but] the 1400 block seems empty."

Merchants aren't the only ones taking issue with the ongoing construction. Local resident Matt Dikdan, who lives on Buena Vista East, said he's frustrated by the construction staging area on the corner that takes up about 20 parking spaces, and is scheduled to remain there for another 12-18 months. He says the city's choice to house its equipment on the street, instead of in a dedicated storage area, places a "significant burden" on area residents. 

To alleviate the issue, Dikdan is urging neighbors to sign an application to get the area approved for S residential parking permits. He's holding a meeting at his house tomorrow night to gather signatures.

Dikdan also says he's been in contact with District 5 Supervisor London Breed's office to put pressure on Ghilotti Brothers, the contractor on the infrastructure project, to move its equipment elsewhere. Ghilotti's permit to store equipment on the site expires on October 9th, and Dikdan is hopeful that neighbors can pressure the city into not renewing it. 

Supervisor Breed's aide, Conor Johnston, said that while the Supervisor's office doesn't oversee projects or direct other departments, its role is to be "an advocate for the resident," which it is doing every day.

"It’s absolutely a frustrating situation, and our office is working closely with neighbors to improve it," Johnston said in an email. "Together, we are pushing MTA and DPW to reduce the impact the project is having in the neighborhood, and expedite a number of changes. I’m optimistic we’re making some good progress."

In the meantime, Alex Murillo of SF Public Works says that the water main work on the Masonic to Ashbury intersection will continue to march on. Expect service interruption notices this week, as it ties in service lines to the water main.