Why North Beach worksIt's time to piss some more people off, esp. the folks who think that highrise housing=urban density=good.
The Chronicle just announced that the American Planning Association has designated North Beach in SF as one of the best neighborhoods in American Why?
The 41,000-member organization took note of the atmospheric collage of low buildings around such historic gathering places as Grant Avenue and Washington Square. They also acknowledged the tenacious way that residents have fought to keep out chain stores and development projects that might water down "its eclectic mix of mom-and-pop shops, nightclubs and polyglot character (that) make it one of the city's most unique and authentic communities," according to the announcement.
What's the message here? North Beach is dense -- one of the densest parts of San Francisco. But it's a real neighborhood, with local stores, locally owned businesses and local character.
And there are strict rules against chain stores.
Now check out the new highrises south of Market. The stores are all chains. There's no neighborhood feel. It's like someone dropped in a bunch of luxury hotels in a faux San Francisco setting.
If the city wants to build density, fine: But build real neighborhoods, with a mix of people, with local businesses, parks, street lfe. The highrises we're building don't do that.
Okay, commenters: let the attacks begin.
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Comments (4)
The original objectives and layout for each neighborhood were different. (i.e. infrastructure and lot) No comparison should begin without acknolegding those two items. Out of towners evaulating neighborhoods from windshield is not very effective in getting a good feel for they way it operates. Who cares what these losers think.
Posted by George | October 2, 2007 04:26 PM
there's actually a very simply reason why the new neighborhoods in SF's mega-projects are all corporate and bland - its very difficult to finance large commercial construction without having fiancially stable tenants secured. oftentimes the only tenants that meet a bank's criteria are the types that we'd rather not see in town. i would expect the commercial mix to change after a few years and with some public sector support (like say, lease revenue guarantees) you can get in locally owned placed like philz coffee and burger joint in mission bay. unfortunately, the questions about other things like a neighborhood's urban design are much more difficult to sort out since a place like north beach evolved over time while something like mission bay virtually springs up overnight...
Posted by wideye | October 3, 2007 12:37 PM
I am born and raised in SF. I also own a store in North Beach and agree that...NORTH BEACH IS DA BEST! That's right eat it you Mission Hipsters, you got nothin on us. Take yo Fillmoe street galleries and try again next year suckas.
Posted by B. Rocka | October 3, 2007 03:48 PM
Wideye, you have a cogent point. When you build mega-projects, you need mega-financing, which means you have to secure anchor tenants (and sell, not rent, your housing for a lot of money).
But when you plan a neighorhood, which is what the city should be doing, you think differently.
Tim Redmond
Posted by Tim Redmond | October 3, 2007 04:32 PM