Dozens of SF Bicycle Coalition members — along with other community stakeholders — crowded into Bessie Carmichael Elementary School last week to see the long-term vision for Folsom and Howard revealed.
With a rapidly changing landscape in SoMa, local residents and regular commuters alike have been pushing for a visionary redesign of corridors like Folsom and Howard. We’re excited that the extensive design process for the Folsom and Howard Streetscape Project has yielded a plan with fully protected, two-way bike lanes and protected intersections.
The high-quality design also creates space for cultural art and community gathering places. As an homage to the rich history of the Filipino community in SoMa, neighborhood groups, including the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN), have been deeply engaged in developing artistic and cultural concepts as part of the streetscape project. Their ideas will turn into recommendations for seating, landscaping and public art that will be embedded into the design.
“The history of SOMA Pilipinas is a microhistory important in San Francisco and the rest of the world,” said Lian Ladia, Community Engagement Organizer at SOMCAN. “We’d like to see a gateway to welcome people to our flourishing, evolving community in the South of Market.”
On an upcoming walking tour with SOMCAN, we’ll be taking a look at some of the Filipino neighborhood history surrounding Folsom and Howard. Join us as we continue to push for protected bike lanes and a project that reflects the rich history of SoMa.
