This Thursday, March 3rd, SF Public Works is hosting a meeting to discuss the proposed Piazza Saint Francis, the Poets Plaza. The meeting will be held from 6–7:30pm at the Tel-Hi Center, 660 Lombard St.
District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, project supervisors, and representatives from Public Works and other city agencies will speak. Former supervisor Angela Alioto, who is spearheading the project, also told us that City Lights' Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who first envisioned the idea of the plaza, will speak as well.
The plaza has been a contentious issue in the neighborhood because it would close Vallejo Street from Columbus to Grant avenues. Many neighbors, as well as Peskin, have asked for additional outreach prior to that closure, citing concerns about traffic, safety and more.
Meanwhile, Alioto has expressed frustration with the ongoing postponement of the plaza, which she says she's been working on for eight years. She has accused Peskin of "interfering with several city departments to feed his own vindictiveness," asking them to hold off on approvals for the plaza until more community outreach is done.
In related news, Public Works has begun digging up Vallejo Street for water and sewer work. Alioto had told us previously that she hoped the projects could be done in conjunction.
