Placemaking
Downtown San Francisco is filled with major streets and alleys shadowed by rich historical infrastructure dating back to the Gold Rush. We partner with the business community, City departments, residents and other stakeholders to define a public realm vision and implement physical improvements, programming and activations to make the district a welcoming, attractive and vibrant destination.
Public Realm Action Plan
Public realm improvements and placemaking initiatives are vital tools for economic development, transforming spaces into welcoming areas that foster community gathering, cultural exchange, and social connections—all of which contribute to local commerce. In partnership with SITELAB urban design studio, Fehr + Peers, and John Bela, DSFP developed the Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP) in 2022, a comprehensive plan outlining physical, programmatic, and organizational strategies to reshape the district’s streets and open spaces.
Our Projects
Market Street Ambassador Corridor Pilot Program
San Francisco's downtown transit hubs have faced rising concerns that challenge its vitality. Learn how the Market Street Ambassador Corridor Pilot Program helps elevate the everyday experience around BART and MUNI entrances.
FY 24/25 Annual Report
The numbers are in! Downtown SF Partnership is making a tangible difference in downtown San Francisco. Read our FY 2024/2025 Annual Report to learn more.
Downtown Gateway
This critical transit hub connecting BART, Muni Metro, and the waterfront welcomes thousands daily, offering a unique opportunity to establish a gateway to downtown San Francisco.
Mechanics Monument Plaza
Located on Market Street in central Downtown San Francisco, this once underutilized historic plaza is now a hub for community and culture.
Landing at Leidesdorff
Sitting at a crossroad between Transamerica park, the Embarcadero Center, and Chinatown, these historic alleyways are ripe for activation through food and storytelling of its rich past.
Embarcadero Park Project
Embarcadero Plaza is rich with history and untapped potential. The city and its partners are now investing in a bold new vision to transform it into a vibrant park, inviting everyone to connect in a dynamic public space that reflects SF's spirit.
Front Street Entertainment Zone
Front Street is now home to California's inaugural Entertainment Zone. This new designation allows Front Street bars to serve drinks for outdoor consumption during special events, creating a lively and engaging street-level experience for everyone to enjoy.
Battery Bridge
Originally closed to vehicles during the pandemic, the Battery Bridge plaza is now a vibrant passageway featuring a 1,900-square-foot mural, “Estero en Movimeiento,” that brings the natural beauty of Drake’s Bay to downtown’s urban core.
Get in Touch
Claude Imbault
VP of Planning & Economic Development
Franco Ferraro
Urban Design & Placemaking Manager