By Roy - Published on October 29, 2014.
Tomorrow will mark the completion of the Castro Streetscape Improvement Project, the eight-month-long Department of Public Works project meant to beautify the Castro.
At 6pm tomorrow, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Castro and 18th Street, complete with the usual politicos speaking and representatives from both the Department of Public Works and the Planning Department who've been managing the project to completion.
Gilbert Baker, designer of the Rainbow Pride flag, is creating a 65-foot ribbon to cut for the ceremony, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be offering a blessing for the newly beautified Castro.
After the ceremony, stay on for the Castro Street block party, which will see Castro Street from Market to 18th Street closed to traffic so neighbors can come check out all the improvements without having to dodge cars. The Castro Community Benefit District has lined up some entertainment for the event, including music from DJ Liam Shy, Matt Alber, SF Gay Men's Chorus, Amoray and Gypsy Love.
While the bulk of the project has been completed, including widened sidewalks, updated pedestrian lighting, new trees, and sidewalk decorations, there are a few items that will still need some work post ribbon-cutting.
According to John Dennis, project manager with the Department of Public Works, remaining work should not create any disturbances at night for residents along Castro Street. There will still be some overhead wire work over the next two nights, and the resurfacing of Jane Warner Plaza is set to be completed by the end of November. "We expect the contractor to be complete with this work in mid-November but still active on the site doing 'punch list work' (corrective work) up until Thanksgiving," said Dennis.
Tomorrow will be your official opportunity to join your neighbors in celebrating the mostly-finished Castro Streetscape Improvement Project, so head out to the rainbow crosswalks at Castro and 18th tomorrow evening from 6pm to 8pm. See you there!
