GEARY BLVD
THE HEART OF THE RICHMOND
FALL SPRING 2022 UT URBAN DESIGN
CRITICS: DEAN ALMY, GHIGO DITOMMASO (GEHL), LAURA JOHNSON (GEHL)
AUBRY KLINGLER GEARY BLVD SAN FRANCISCO IN 1864
THE CITY
GEARY BLVD
SAN
LEGEND
Geary Blvd
Site Area
IN 1864
Geary was originally named Point Lobos Road, but was changed to Geary Blvd in the early 20th century after San Francisco’s first mayor John Geary
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER HISTORY
GEARY BLVD
THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY
1923
Geary Boulevard was the first street to be built in the Richmond district. And was one of the first corridors for development in the area
THE STREET CAR
In 1909 a bond was approved to build a street car line from the corner of Market street downtown out to Ocean Beach
1923
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
1911 1930 AUBRY KLINGLER HISTORY
The street
remained
1964 2022
has
essentially unchanged since the middle of the last century. The only difference between these photos is the style of the cars STAGNATION GEARY BLVD THE LAST 60 YEARS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER HISTORY
LONG AND MONOTONOUS DANGEROUS AND BICYCLISTS GEARY BLVD CURRENT CONDITIONS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
BY THE CAR
FOR PEDESTRIANS BICYCLISTS DOMINATED
AUBRY KLINGLER INTRODUCTION
GEARY BLVD
DEFINING
LEGEND
Commercial Areas
WALKING RADIUS
ave
point lobos ave
irregular blocks
35th ave 40th ave 43rd ave
access to lands end greenspace george washington highschool
site boundary
ave
ave high point
46th
great highway
40th
47th
0.700.47 miles 0.25miles 0.5 miles0.125 0.25
Cultural Institutional Greenspace Significant Roads 0.25 mile radius 0.5 mile radius 0.38 mile radius 5 min walking 5 min by bike 5 min by bus
ELEMENTS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
site boundary
asian community richmond public library
greenspace
presidio middleschool blocks
“little russia”
washington highschool
arguello blvd 4th ave 7th ave 10th ave park presidio blvd 25th ave 28th ave 31st ave 21st ave 17th ave
kaiser permanente medical center park presidio blvd 25th ave 28th ave arguello blvd
commercial area
0.75 miles0.68 miles existing
low point 0.85 miles0.70 miles 0.25 miles 0.25miles 0.25miles AUBRY KLINGLER INTRODUCTION
GEARY BLVD
SUBNEIGHBORHOODS
TERRITORIES
Along this 12-block stretch of Geary, the existing building fabric is at a large scale but with many “missing teeth”
This 14-block stretch of Geary Blvd through Central Richmond contains most of the existing commercial fabric
Outer Richmond, between 28th and 40th ave, is a primarily residential street with a few corner cafes.
The portion of Geary which connects to the coast feel almost suburban
The intersection at Arguello Blvd creates an entry point to the Richmond
Park Presidio, the parkway which runs north-south, creates a large intersection
George Washington High School and Presidio Middle School create a threeblock interface along Geary Blvd.
TERRITORY
35th ave 40th ave 43rd ave 46th ave point lobos ave great highway site boundary
04 TERRITORY 39th ave 47th ave 0.53 miles TERRITORY 04 TERRITORY 0.25miles0.25miles 0.5 miles0.125 0.25
NODES N-01 T-01 N-02 T-02 N-03 T-03 T-04
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
TERRITORY
arguello blvd
01
4th ave 7th ave 10th ave park presidio blvd 25th ave 28th ave 31st ave 21st ave 17th ave site boundary TERRITORY 03 NODE 03 NODE 02 NODE
TERRITORY 02
01 park presidio blvd 28th ave arguello blvd 2.77 miles 0.64 miles 0.85 miles 0.73 miles TERRITORY 03 TERRITORY 02 TERRITORY 01 0.25 miles 0.25miles miles AUBRY KLINGLER INTRODUCTION
GEARY
TERRITORIES
T-01 North side of Geary between 7th and 8th avenue lots of parked cars, several small shops, parking lot, several street trees
T-02 North side of Geary between 22nd and 23rd avenue angled parking, many small shops, many street trees, parking meters on sidewalk
T-03 North side of Geary between 34th and 35th avenue street parking and several cars in driveways, on corner cafe, and no street trees
T-04 North side of Geary between 45th and 46th avenue street parking, building setbacks, fenced in front yards, cars parked in driveway
T-01 T-02
T-03
T-04
BLVD
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER INTRODUCTION
GEARY BLVD NODES
N-01 The intersection of Geary and Arguello Blvd is the entry point to the Richmond District. The intersection is home to an Office Depot, a parking lot, a gas station, and a corner store.
N-02 The intersection of Park Presidio and Geary Blvd creates a long interruption in the fabric of the street.
N-03 The two-block stretch along George Washington High School creates a barrier in the neighborhood.
N-01 N-02 N-03
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER INTRODUCTION
VISION
REVIVE GEARY AS THE SOCIAL HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES A DENSER, GREENER
GEARY BLVD THE
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
OF GREENER GEARY
NEW MOBILITY PATTERNS TO RELINK THE CITY TO ITS COAST
IMAGINE
POSSIBILITIES
AUBRY KLINGLER FRAMEWORK
NODE03 developmentintroduction of commercial and live/work spaces paired with the conversion of garages into ADUs conversion of garages into ADUs VISION: TERRITORY 03TERRITORY 04 GEARY BLVD THE STRATEGIES RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
N ODE01NODE02 extension of parkway greenspace into geary blvd signals a threshold coniferous gateway creates entrance to the neighborhood development of a neighborhood “heart” and restaurant row Revive Geary as the social heart of the neighbourhood Explore the possibilities of a denser, greener Geary Imagine new mobility patterns to relink the city to its coast VISION: TERRITORY 01TERRITORY 02 AUBRY KLINGLER FRAMEWORK
0304 GEARY BLVD THE PROPOSAL RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
0102 AUBRY KLINGLER FRAMEWORK
BIKE GREEN ROAD TRANSIT GEARY BLVD SYSTEMS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER FRAMEWORK
GEARY BLVD NODE 01
Node 01 occurs at the intersection of Arguello Blvd and Geary Blvd and acts as a gateway to the Richmond District.
LOCATION ALONG GEARY
20 40 80 feet
PLAN RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO N01
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 01
GEARY BLVD
01 INTERSECTION
Node 01 signals to the visitor that they are about to enter somewhere new and different, and includes elements such as the dune parklet which are a nod to the identity of the Richmond.
EXISTING PROPOSED
NODE
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO N01
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 01
LEGEND
Car Infrastructure (roads, parking lots, etc...)
Commercial/Public Programs
Parks/Public Greenspace
Territory 01 is characterized by long low buildings, prevalent parking lots, gas stations, and other car related spaces.
TYPICAL INTERSECTION
TYPICAL BUILDINGS
0’ 35’ 1st floor 2nd floor 3rd floor roof 10thAve 12thAve ParkPresidioBlvd
T01 GEARY BLVD EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
Kaiser Permanente
Evergreen Mortuary of McAvoy O'Hara Star of the Sea Church Park Presidio United Methodist ArguelloBlvd 3rdAve 5thAve 8thAve
San
Francisco Medical Center
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 01
25 50 100 ft T01 GEARY BLVD TYPICAL STREET RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 01
BIKE SHOP 15’ ADJACENCIES 3 mph 5 mph 3 mph 12 mph 25 mph 40 mph 0 mph T01 GEARY BLVD LIGHT RAIL STATION RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
16’30’9’10’20’ 20’ AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 01
GEARY BLVD
THE STREET
T01
Territory 01 gives visitors and residents opportunities for play and exercise. The pedestrian space and park strip are wide enough to accommodate things like dog parks, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and other such community spaces.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 01
GEARY BLVD
THE INTERSECTION
The intersections of Territory 01 have turning lanes to accommodate greater traffic volume due to the proximity to downtown.
EXISTING PROPOSED
T01
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 01
GEARY BLVD
NODE 02 PLAN
N02
Node 02 occurs at the major intersection of Park Presidio, the parkway which runs north to Marin County and south to Daley City.
LOCATION ALONG GEARY
20 50 100 ft
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 02
GEARY BLVD
BEFORE/AFTER
N02
At Node 02, a density of plantings which mimic the park way, flow into Geary on either side to signal a moment of transition.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 02
GEARY BLVD
T02
Car Infrastructure (roads, parking lots, etc...)
Commercial Store fronts
Parks/Public Greenspace
Territory 02 has a finer grain of existing building fabric than Territory 01. This is currently the liveliest portion of Geary, with many small shops and restaurants.
TYPICAL INTERSECTION
TYPICAL BUILDING
28thave
floor
floor
25thave
Holy Virgin Cathedral (Russian Orthodox)
23rdave
0’ 25’ 1st
2nd
roof LEGEND
EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
Our Lady of Fatima Byzantine (Catholic)
existingslowstreet
20thave
Cathedral Orthodox)
17thave
The Alexandria Theater
parkpresidioblvd
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 02
25 50 100 ft GEARY BLVD TYPICAL STREET RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO T02
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 02
15’ ADJACENCIES 0 mph 3 mph 3 mph 12 mph 25 mph 40 mph 0 mph GEARY BLVD LIGHT RAIL STATION RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO T02
24’12’8’40’20’ AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 02
GEARY BLVD
THE STREET
T02
The focus of Territory 02 is to enhance the existing character of the street which is currently be suffocated by car traffic and lack of density.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 02
GEARY
THE INTERSECTION
In Territory 02, every other intersection has a turning lane to accommodate car traffic. The southern side of the street is lined with trees to create a comfortable pedestrian experience on the south side of the street as well.
EXISTING PROPOSED
BLVD
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO T02
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 02
GEARY BLVD NODE 03 PLAN
N03
Node 03 occurs at the 3-block interface created by the Public High School and Middle School in the neighborhood.
LOCATION ALONG GEARY
25 50 100 ft
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 03
GEARY BLVD
N03
Node 03 is focused on the new plaza at the northern edge of the High School where a new community-focused building opens up the site to the neighborhood.
EXISTING PROPOSED
BEFORE/AFTER RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER NODE 03
GEARY
EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS
T03
LEGEND
Car Infrastructure (roads, parking lots, etc...)
Commercial Store fronts
Parks/Public Greenspace
Territory 03 is similar to Territory 02 in form, but not in program. The buildings along Geary along this stretch are almost entirely residential.
40thave
TYPICAL INTERSECTION
TYPICAL BUILDINGS
37thave
0’ 25’ garage 2nd floor 3rd floor roof
BLVD
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
Middle School
30thave 32ndave 34thave George Washington High School (north wing) Presidio
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 03
25 50 100 ft T03 GEARY BLVD TYPICAL STREET RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 03
20’10’ ADJACENCIES 3 mph 0 mph 12 mph 25 mph 30 mph 3 mph 0 mph 3 mph 3 mph 0 mph T03 GEARY BLVD TYPICAL SECTION RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
20’12’ 10’30’8’ 10’ AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 03
GEARY BLVD THE STREET
T03
Territory 03 is focused on strategically injecting new program into the street. Because the surrounding fabric is exclusively residential, utilizing the center of the street gives the opportunity for live/work spaces or corner stores.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 03
GEARY BLVD
THE INTERSECTION
T03
Territory 03 becomes almost like two separate streets, one with cars, and one with the light rail. For fire safety, emergency vehicles can utilize the concrete strips of the light rail tracks.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 03
Car Infrastructure (roads, parking lots, etc...)
Commercial Store fronts
Parks/Public Greenspace
Territory 04 is very different from the other territories. It feels almost suburban, with yard setbacks and detached single family homes.
TYPICAL INTERSECTION
TYPICAL BUILDING
46thave 48thave 0’ 20’ garage 2nd floor roof LEGEND
T04
GEARY BLVD EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco Firehouse #34
Chinese Seventh-day Adventist Church
40thave 43rdave AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 04
25 50 100 ft T04 GEARY BLVD TYPICAL STREET RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 04
12’15’ ADJACENCIES 3 mph 3 mph 3 mph 0 mph 0 mph 25 mph 25 mph 12 mph T04 GEARY BLVD TYPICAL STREET SECTION RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
9’10’ 15’50’9’ AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 04
GEARY BLVD
THE STREET
T04
The central park strip grows significantly in Territory 04 and becomes increasingly more wild the closer it gets to Lands End and the Ocean.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 04
GEARY BLVD
THE INTERSECTION
T04
The road and light rail become a one way loop around the Geary/Point Lobos triangle in Territory 04 which allows for more greenspace within the street.
EXISTING PROPOSED
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER TERRITORY 04
GEARY BLVD PLANTING STRATEGY
The coastal landscape bleeds into the street
ARRANGEMENTS
Moments of transition are marked by a density of planting
A balance of shade and sun is achieved in recreational spaces
Low Barrier
TREE SPECIES
Single
Row
Magnolia Graniflora (Southern Magnolia) (Califoria Sycamore) (Catalina Ironwood)
Row Platanus Racemosa Double Offset
Lyonothamnus Floribundus Asplenifolius Lophostemon
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
Informal
Lophostemon
of way curb root barrier
pavers stone
varies
open soil volume
permeable
subase right
(Brisbane Box)
Confertus AUBRY KLINGLER DETAILS
GEARY BLVD
LIGHTING
Lighting strategies along Geary exist at different scales to respond to different needs. All lights incorporate solar technology to save energy produced by the grid.
STREET
LIGHT
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
LIGHT RAIL PEDESTRIAN
AUBRY KLINGLER DETAILS
GEARY BLVD
LIGHT RAIL
TRACKS AND STATIONS
The light rail tracks are embedded in concrete strips which allow low grasses to grow between the rails. The stations are located approximately every six blocks to allow for access with speed.
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
overhead power supply lines for light rail
emergency vehicle clearance
luminaire for track and platform illumination
topsoil layer concrete reinforcement at light rail tracks
power pole
luminaire for pedestrian area illumination
metal guardrail concrete slab
permeable pavers stone subase
AUBRY KLINGLER DETAILS
Lightrail tracks in grass1. 2. 3.colored pavement bike path brick pavers at crossings 1. 2. 3.4. 5. The materiality of the street changes to signal different uses. The pavers of sidewalk change at moments where pedestrians are intended to cross the light rail and bike lanes. GEARY BLVD CROSSING CHOREOGRAPHY RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
4. 5. 6.landscape barrier at tracks sidewalk pavers and curb lighting to mark the crossing 3. 2. 4. 5. 6. 1. AUBRY KLINGLER DETAILS
GEARY BLVD TODAY RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER THE VISION
TOMORROW
GEARY BLVD
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER THE VISION
GEARY BLVD TOMORROW RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER THE VISION
GEARY BLVD TOMORROW RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER THE VISION
TOMORROW
GEARY BLVD
RICHMOND - SAN FRANCISCO
AUBRY KLINGLER THE VISION