Pedestrian improvements approved at new Whole Foods location

Earlier this month, the Planning Commission approved a plan that should help expand pedestrian safety and mobility around the new Whole Foods / apartment complex location at 2001 Market Street. The plan includes bulb-outs at crosswalk intersections, a pedestrian refuge for the giant crosswalk along Market crossing Dolores, special paving on Dolores near Market, raised sidewalks crossing Clinton Park, and greenery with a few benches for seating in the expanded entrance area. The improvements also extend down to 14th Street with bulb-outs on each corner. The developer of the new grocery and housing location has agreed to pay for the pedestrian improvements in lieu of $510,000 in impact fees, according to SF Streets Blog. The neighborhood group Dolores United expressed support for the plan while the Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association wanted the bulb-outs at Market Street shrunk to avoid losing a lane of traffic. According to SF Streets, the original plan called for one lane of traffic on each side all the way down Dolores to 14th Street, but the approved plan calls for single lanes only within 60' - 80' of the intersection with Market. Supervisor Scott Wiener, who helped champion the projects approval, said that he is looking forward to seeing the underutilized space become a more attractive place for pedestrians.

via SF Streets