Redesign Coming to Intersection of Haight and Fillmore?

Ah, Haight and Fillmore -- the epicenter of the Lower Haight. That magical spot where the 71 meets the 22, where Indian restaurants compete and collude, where all meats are Lo-Cost, where Walgreens guards its toothpaste. Yes, you may think you know the intersection of Haight and Fillmore -- but prepare yourself. Because some big changes may be a-comin'!

D5 R+D, a group of planning professionals and neighborhood folks, has been working on a concept called WalkStops -- enhancements that will make Haight and Fillmore more pedestrian friendly, safer, and more attractive, and will link the intersection to other neighborhoods throughout the city. Based on a similar program in Portland, the WalkStop project envisions several specific improvements:

• BulbOuts, or extensions of the sidewalks, to make the corners of the intersection more pedestrian friendly:
  Flickr/Complete Streets
• Wayfinders, like this one, that will show visitors the distances and directions to other neighborhoods:
  Flickr/Spacing Magazine
• Ergonomic crosswalks, like this conceptual design, which better reflect pedestrians' actual behavior:
  designboom.com
• Parklets, which transform parking spots into human-friendly spaces, like the one at Mojo Cafe on Divisadero:
  Flickr/jeremyashaw

Ideally, the changes would help tranform the intersection from an area people just drive/walk/ride/bike through, to a destination of its own. And in the process, calm traffic and make walking through the neighborhood more inviting and viable. The Lower Haight WalkStop would be a pilot project which, if successful, would lead to WalkStops being created at other busy intersections throughout the city. So, that's the idea. But as of now, it's just that -- an idea. Tonight at 6:30pm, D5 R+D leader Liz Westbrook and landscape architect James Munden will be hosting a community meeting at HSM Realty (600 Haight) to discuss the project. Obviously, feedback from the community is crucial in shaping this project and getting it off the ground. So, if you have strong feelings about it, make sure to stop by tonight and share your thoughts. "Warm drinks" will be provided. Though we can't provide you with warm drinks here at Haighteration, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, as usual!