We did it, gang. We made it to 2014.
While we can't predict the future, we can let you know about some of the developments we're keeping an eye on. Here are the Lower Haight stories we're looking forward to covering over the next twelve months.
Despite hopes that they'd be returning in December, Three Twins and Estela's have yet to re-open on Fillmore. The spaces look nearly complete, but some electrical and plumbing permits filed this week indicate that there's still some minor work to be done. So, maybe January, if we're lucky? Next door, work on the Choux cream puff bakery at 248 Fillmore is moving along. Last we checked, the bakery was aiming for a February launch. We've been waiting for months for the opening of Raijin Sushi at 531 Haight. And although the awning is up and the space looks ready, we haven't seen much activity at Raijin in a few weeks. This one could open any day now -- or not. And we're watching for progress on Black Sands, the microbrewery being planned for the corner of Haight and Pierce. That one's aiming to open in the summer. Construction on the $150 million development at 55 Laguna should continue throughout the year. The project officially broke ground in September, and the Chronicle says the first 40 units of senior housing should open "late in 2014." 2014 will also see a couple of local streetscape projects hopefully come to life. There's a redesign planned for the corner of Duboce and Steiner, including the installation of a seating wall, plantings, and new lighting fixtures at the eastern end of Duboce Park. There's also the Wiggle Neighborhood Green Corridor project, which seeks to calm traffic and improve drainage conditions in the area. Both are still in the design phase, but will hopefully be finalized and break ground later this year. One thing we won't be seeing in 2014: tour buses in Alamo Square. The SFMTA banned them from the area back in November, and that ban has now taken effect. Speaking of Alamo Square, we're also waiting to see whether the SFMTA will create a residential permit parking in the 60-square-block area bounded by Masonic, McAllister, Webster, and Page. Work should begin soon on the Market & Haight Streets Transit and Pedestrian Improvement Project. That means creation of an eastbound transit-only lane from Laguna to Market, widened sidewalks and bulbouts, and traffic signal improvements. The whole project is scheduled to take seven months. Of course, there will be Art Walks, Duboce Park movie nights, and maybe an Urban Air Market in the Fall. And our local bars should be humming with this year's return of the World Cup (which has been known to take over the neighborhood), an Olympics, and plenty of 49ers and Giants action. And that's just the stuff we currently know about! Should be an eventful year ahead. Here's to a good one.
Despite hopes that they'd be returning in December, Three Twins and Estela's have yet to re-open on Fillmore. The spaces look nearly complete, but some electrical and plumbing permits filed this week indicate that there's still some minor work to be done. So, maybe January, if we're lucky? Next door, work on the Choux cream puff bakery at 248 Fillmore is moving along. Last we checked, the bakery was aiming for a February launch. We've been waiting for months for the opening of Raijin Sushi at 531 Haight. And although the awning is up and the space looks ready, we haven't seen much activity at Raijin in a few weeks. This one could open any day now -- or not. And we're watching for progress on Black Sands, the microbrewery being planned for the corner of Haight and Pierce. That one's aiming to open in the summer. Construction on the $150 million development at 55 Laguna should continue throughout the year. The project officially broke ground in September, and the Chronicle says the first 40 units of senior housing should open "late in 2014." 2014 will also see a couple of local streetscape projects hopefully come to life. There's a redesign planned for the corner of Duboce and Steiner, including the installation of a seating wall, plantings, and new lighting fixtures at the eastern end of Duboce Park. There's also the Wiggle Neighborhood Green Corridor project, which seeks to calm traffic and improve drainage conditions in the area. Both are still in the design phase, but will hopefully be finalized and break ground later this year. One thing we won't be seeing in 2014: tour buses in Alamo Square. The SFMTA banned them from the area back in November, and that ban has now taken effect. Speaking of Alamo Square, we're also waiting to see whether the SFMTA will create a residential permit parking in the 60-square-block area bounded by Masonic, McAllister, Webster, and Page. Work should begin soon on the Market & Haight Streets Transit and Pedestrian Improvement Project. That means creation of an eastbound transit-only lane from Laguna to Market, widened sidewalks and bulbouts, and traffic signal improvements. The whole project is scheduled to take seven months. Of course, there will be Art Walks, Duboce Park movie nights, and maybe an Urban Air Market in the Fall. And our local bars should be humming with this year's return of the World Cup (which has been known to take over the neighborhood), an Olympics, and plenty of 49ers and Giants action. And that's just the stuff we currently know about! Should be an eventful year ahead. Here's to a good one.
