Just a couple of months ago there was a farm here, and before that, a freeway. You wouldn't know it, however, by the current looks of things at Parcels O and P.

The plot of land bounded by Laguna, Oak, Octavia and Fell, which was most recently home to Hayes Valley Farm, is now a barren dirtscape. The land is being cleared in preparation for the development of a 5-story, 182-unit apartment complex developed by Avalon Bay Communities and Build Inc. As of yesterday, all the trees had been removed, and crews were working to excavate the remaining freeway asphalt and concrete from the site. Here are a few more pics of the scene. The project is scheduled to be completed some time next year, at which point the landscape will look more like this: So, enjoy that view of City Hall and downtown while you can.