It's been nearly three years since work began on the new Castro Muni Station glass elevator, and the project is finally nearing completion.
Construction began in June 2023, and the project was expected to wrap up in early 2026. However, that deadline has come and gone.
SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte tells Hoodline that a few factors contributed to the delay.
"We’re still awaiting a state inspection, and there are some procurement delays, but given that we’re in June and we’re anticipating heavy foot traffic during Pride and other activities, we’re going to revisit in July and offer an update then," said Roccaforte.
The new Castro Station elevator is nearing completion. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Roccaforte did not respond to Hoodline's request to explain what the procurement delays were.
However, last week Mission District resident and activist Michael Petrelis was able to get a more detailed response and explanation from project manager Christian Kalinowski.
"The elevator is still being held up by a few pieces of glass that have been delayed coming from Turkey," explained Kalinowski. "The glass is due to arrive at the Port on June 18th, which will be followed by the work to install the glass."
The new elevator will have a stop at Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
On a recent visit by a Hoodline reporter, a punch list of remaining tasks was posted on the elevator at the platform level. A large number of the tasks had been scratched off, with only a few left to be completed.
"We are looking to have a ribbon-cutting celebration in July 2026," added Kalinowski.
Hoodline readers will recall that SFMTA originally announced the $14.5 million, 18-month Castro Station Accessibility Improvements project in December 2018 with a completion date of 2022.
Once completed, the new glass elevator will include four stops: below-ground at the inbound platform level, entry-level at the plaza and fare gates, street-level at Castro Street, and street-level at Market Street. The fourth stop was added at the request of the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza (FHMP).
The project was first delayed until Fall 2021 and again until Fall 2022. Now, nearly eight years later, construction is nearly wrapped up.
A punch list has been posted on the elevator at the platform level. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
The elevator is required to bring the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The new elevator was constructed in the fenced-off area behind the plaza's display of photos honoring Harvey Milk. The project also widened the sidewalk, replaced the plaza's existing lighting, and regraded the pavement above Castro Station to make it more accessible.
Beautification improvements included replanting the concourse-level terraces and installing new fences and benches.
Although it appears that the benches will not be installed, according to Kalinowski. "Regarding the benches, this project is not planned to install additional benches around the facility," explained Kalinowski.
Overview of the design changes proposed by FHMP and SWA Group. | Image courtesy of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza
The elevator construction was supposed to occur in tandem with the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza (FHMP) redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza.
The groundbreaking for that project has been pushed back until January 2027. Construction is anticipated to take 18 months and be completed by June 2028.
The project was funded in part by the passage of Proposition B in November 2024 — a $390 million bond measure that included $25 million for the plaza redo project. The project is estimated to cost $25 million plus $4-6 million for additional features.
