San Francisco’s 16th St. BART plazas are being redesigned – again! The question remains: what can the Mission District do differently this time to create a more welcoming public space? Preliminary renderings will be shared by BART in April, followed by public meetings for feedback and fundraising starting around late June, according to BART communications officer Christopher Filippi.

A History of Redesign Attempts

Attempts to physically and socially engineer the plazas into more pleasant spaces are as old as the plazas themselves. The 16th St. station opened in 1973, coinciding with increased visibility of homelessness and drug addiction.

Early Plans and Community Pushback (1966)

Initial plans from 1966 envisioned a modernist complex with office towers, apartments, and tourist facilities connected to the BART station. However, Mission residents strongly opposed the proposals, fearing displacement and the commercialization of their neighborhood. Resident concerns, summarized in historical documents, questioned whether the development would benefit the community or simply cater to tourists.

The Original Design and Unintended Consequences

The completed plazas, embodying BART’s initial disconnect with the neighborhood, featured brick pavilions and curved edges, resembling modernist smokestacks. Gary Leung, a board member of Docomomo, explains the design aimed for a luxurious experience and reflected a post-war desire to break with architectural traditions. The sparse design also unintentionally became a popular spot for skateboarders in the late 1980s.

The 2002 Redesign and its Limitations

In the early 2000s, a collaborative effort by Mission Housing, Urban Ecology, BART, and transportation authorities led to a redesign intended to create a more traditional plaza atmosphere. Curved brick was removed, replaced with a metal railing, palm trees, and benches. However, maintenance proved challenging, with limited BART staff presence above ground. A 2018 attempt to add ping pong tables also proved unsuccessful, as they became a site for unwanted activity.

What Might Work This Time? Expert Insights

Recognizing that design alone cannot solve complex social issues, urban design consultant Anna Muessig of Gehl emphasizes the importance of creating comfortable and engaging streets surrounding the plazas. She highlights the benefit of frequent storefronts – ideally one every 100 feet – to enhance pedestrian comfort and safety.

Improving Street-Level Activity

Muessig points out that transparent storefront windows are crucial for pedestrian visibility and can deter illicit activities. She also suggests developing pedestrian-friendly routes to the station, similar to improvements made at the 22nd St. Caltrain station.

Rethinking Bike Share Placement

The current location of BayWheels bike share docks within the plaza is criticized for increasing congestion and creating an unsafe environment for cyclists and pedestrians. Moving the docks to a nearby location, like Hoff St., could improve pedestrian flow and create space for licensed street vending.

Avoiding the “Race to the Bottom”

Muessig warns against the “race to the bottom,” where public spaces are made unpleasant to discourage certain groups from using them. She notes that such tactics often backfire, attracting only the individuals officials are trying to displace.

Leveraging Skateboarding Culture

Interestingly, skateboarders have been previously considered as potential partners in revitalizing public spaces. In the past, suggestions were made to incorporate skateboarding features into the 16th St. plazas, but were met with skepticism due to previous design failures.