Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Residential streets in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco suffer from urban blight, lethal gang violence, factory pollution, speeding cars, sewage backup and flooding, and disassociation with the rest of the city. The Bayview Model Block project reconfigures the streetscape of just one block—the 1700 Block of Newcomb Avenue—in attempt to support residents' efforts to reclaim their neighborhood. The proposed project would install trees and other plants along the to enhance the streetscape, reduce storm water runoff, calm traffic and create community gathering places.

The Bayview Model Block project is a partnership between Architecture for Humanity San Francisco, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, the San Francisco Department of Public Works and the 1700 Block of Newcomb Residents Association. Together, we are working with residents to turn the 1700 Block of Newcomb Residents Association into a model for a sustainable community—socially and culturally as well as environmentally and economically.

Starting in 2006 Architecture for Humanity San Francisco volunteers began working with residents on the 1700 block of Newcomb Avenue in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco to identify and address the issues and concerns in their community. Six months of community outreach and research revealed a combination of social factors and infrastructure issues that plagued the block and prevented the community from thriving. Among the most serious, gang violence, an extraordinarly high rate of deadly hit and run accidents from speeding cars, sewage back-ups and flooding during the rainy season.

Working directly with residents in a serious of community design workshops, Architecture for Humanity San Francisco designed a number of small innovative changes to the streetscape of 1700 Newcomb Ave that taken together will dramatically improve the qualify of life and increase safety for the families living on this block. Those changes are now underway.

As a result of this community effort and vision, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency designated the 1700 block of Newcomb Avenue as the pilot block in its "Model Block Program." Working in partnership with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, funders, city departments and the 1700 Block of Newcomb Residents Association, Architecture for Humanity is now working to turn the residents vision of 1700 Newcomb Avenue into reality.