As the holiday season wraps up, Geary Boulevard gleams a little brighter, courtesy of the new decorative lights adorning storefront windows and trees along the bustling Richmond corridor. According to a blog post by SFMTA, the illumination is part of the Geary Boulevard Improvement Project, which aims to bolster the corridor's small businesses.
The project began in the fall of 2023, focusing on enhancing transit and safety. With the installation of new transit lanes, the relocation of bus stops, and the improvement of visibility at intersections through "daylighting," the 38 Geary bus service has already become faster and more reliable. Although these necessary shifts brought about some parking loss between the 14th and 28th avenues, a unique support program funded by the project has mitigated the impact on local businesses.
In a show of true community spirit, the initiative to add holiday lighting was born from a collective of local businesses forming the Geary Small Business Working Group. Per the SFMTA blog, they swiftly agreed on their wishes: a bus ad campaign and decorative lighting that "would help beautify the neighborhood and make Geary feel safer and inviting."
The Greater Geary Boulevard Merchants Association tackled logistical hurdles head-on, offering merchants the choice between window or tree lighting, ensuring inclusivity for all storefronts. They were instrumental in communicating the program, which saw 28 businesses lighting up the corridor this season to delight visitors. The clever solution by the merchants' association highlights their dedication to the project and the value of local input in community initiatives.
While this festive beautification brings a warm and inviting atmosphere to Geary Boulevard, it's just one piece of a broader effort to promote the diverse range of offerings on the street – from Russian bakeries and Chinese restaurants to Irish pubs and fitness classes. With the upcoming construction phase of SFPUC’s water and sewer upgrade work and transit and safety improvements slated for 2027, it's clear that the city's commitment to the Geary corridor, as detailed in the SFMTA blog post, is a long-term investment.
