Public Realm Projects

Maiden Lane decorated with lanterns, flowers, and butterflies for Bloom

Maiden Lane

“A former red light district prior to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Maiden Lane is now home to a charming array of boutiques and art galleries. The Union Square Foundation looks forward to bringing more life to this historic space in the City through food, art, and entertainment activations.”

Maiden Lane is a backstreet connection between Stockton Street and Grant Avenue, lined on both sides with high-end retail and cafes. It is closed to vehicular traffic during the day by unique white gates with light posts. The Foundation installed and maintained the flower baskets at Maiden Lane. For the holiday season they were replaced with poinsettias and festive greenery.

A range of ideas for Maiden Lane include both short term quick fixes to long term permanent solutions. Short term solutions include locating opportunities for art, temporary inexpensive paving treatments, optional greening of street by adding planting at tree bases or through hanging baskets, mobile food events, other weekly events such as art nights, music nights, etc. Long term solutions that might include partnering with the City for improvements include replacing all paving, planting and adding sustainability features.

Funding for:

  • Planting and hanging flower baskets

  • Public art

  • Community programming

  • Signage and wayfinding

Flower Baskets

Flower baskets were installed in 2018 thanks to a community grant. Additional funds are needed to maintain these beautification efforts.

Powell Street

In 2023, Mayor Breed and Board of Supervisors President Peskin announced $4 million in funding for the Powell Street Improvement Project. The City asked the Union Square Alliance to lead the initial design phases of the project. On June 10, 2024, the Union Square Alliance, in partnership with the City of San Francisco unveiled a new design proposal and robust vision for Powell Street that would allow it to retain its status as the pre-eminent gateway to Union Square, Downtown and all of San Francisco.

The Alliance is proud to announce that this phase has been completed on time and on budget with the remaining $3.5 million going towards an initial phase of the revitalization.

The design, led by San Francisco-based firms Field Operations and SITELAB Urban Studio, reimagines a three-block stretch of Powell Street with practical and aesthetic upgrades to welcome residents and visitors, offer a more enjoyable transit experience and spur economic development in the area. The proposal celebrates and centers the iconic cable cars as well as Powell’s beautiful historic architecture.

See press coverage on the Powell Street Improvement Project by SF Examiner, SF Chronicle, and KTVU.

For more information, visit here.