1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since 2008, SF Planning, SF Public Works, OEWD and the SFMTA have created dozens of new public spaces with local community groups, small businesses and neighborhood residents. With the Mayor’s 2014 SF Plaza Program, San Franciscans now, more than ever, can utilize best practices and guidance from experts in making public spaces successful. This stewardship toolkit begins to fill that need. It provides community organizations and City decision makers with models, case studies and ready-to-use tools for funding, programming and maintaining a successful public space.
but many case studies integrate more than one model. Each case study has strengths and weaknesses unique to the objectives, funding and capacity of the stewarding organization or partnership. Case studies were selected to represent a range of organizations, space types, “use levels,” and budgets.
The toolkit presents five models for sustainable public space stewardship; Event-Based Models, Grassroots Partnerships, Public/Private Partnerships, Self-Governing Special Assessment Districts, and Maintenance/Technical Assistance Partnerships. Each chapter introduces a model in general terms, provides an illustrative case study in detail, and includes additional examples. The models provide a helpful framework for understanding each project,
This document is just a starting point. The practical information which follows is based on success stories in San Francisco and throughout the country, but is by no means complete. As public realm planning evolves, we hope that community organizations and cities worldwide contribute public space success stories to the online version of this guide, at publicspacestewardship.org.
The appendices in the document provide readyto-use tools, including a recommended outline for a public space management plan, maintenance plan templates, and a guide to funding sources which references additional case studies.
The Market Street Prototyping Festival in April 2015 engaged residents, designers, and community organizations in coming up with great ideas for Market Street in downtown San Francisco. (Photo by SF Planning.)
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Glossary: commonly-used terms and acronyms 08 Models for Public Space Stewardship: summaries, strengths & weaknesses of 5 models
11
Case Study Comparison: snapshot of 17 case studies
16
MANAGEMENT PLANNING TOOL KIT Outline: Description of Management Plan Components
Appendix A
Creating the Plan: Ready-to-use tools for budgeting, maintenance, and more
Appendix B
Funding Guide Appendix C
The Heart of the City Farmers’ Market activates United Nations Plaza in downtown San Francisco every Wednesday and Sunday. (Photo by SF Planning.)