Who needs pink fog in the Castro when you could have a rainbow crosswalk instead?
Readers may remember the somewhat wacky proposal to emit pink mist to create a pink cloud over the Castro. That winning design from a 2000 competition to enliven Harvey Milk Plaza never did come to fruition. But that's okay, because improvement plans for the Castro this time around are more reasonable �" and actually have the funding to achieve them.
We've been impressed with the planning for the Castro sidewalk widening project. A number of workshops and meetings were held, and planning staff refined the design to include a number of items requested by community members. Funding for the $4 million project comes from the $248 million road-paving bond measure approved by San Francisco voters. (So, to those naysayers who complain that the money should be used for something else, it can't.)
The plan calls for widening the sidewalks along Castro Street between 17th and 19th streets from 12 to 18 feet and eliminating a traffic lane. The amount of street parking would remain the same and left turn pockets from Castro onto 18th Street should remain in place.
As the Bay Area Reporter has noted in numerous stories this year about the project, the goal is to make Castro Street more pedestrian-friendly between 19th and Market streets. Along with widening the sidewalks, the project will bring cosmetic improvements to Jane Warner Plaza, the mini-parklet at the corner of 17th, Market, and Castro streets, and see a new bulb-out built in front of 575 Castro Street, where the late Supervisor Harvey Milk had his camera shop.
And while area merchants �" and shoppers �" will be inconvenienced once construction starts, the end result should be worth it, with wider sidewalks that will accommodate more foot traffic in the gay neighborhood. The privately funded Rainbow Honor Walk's first 20 plaques honoring historic LGBT figures will also be installed, giving visitors and residents yet another reason to tour the neighborhood.
But what got us excited was the news last week that there are plans for a rainbow crosswalk in one of three possible intersections, along with proposals for other gay-themed crosswalks. The Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District will foot the bill for the decorative crosswalks and we say that the $28,000 will be well spent. Similar crosswalks in West Hollywood and other cities are very attractive and make the neighborhood stand out.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency must sign off on the crosswalk designs, and we're confident they will approve a rainbow design for one of them.
Making the Castro more appealing to pedestrians is something that merchants and residents can support. The Castro is one of the city's tourist destinations and its streetscape should reflect its importance in LGBT history. Wider sidewalks, the bulb-out, new trees, and the gay-themed crosswalks will add to the Castro's prominence.
Jose Sarria's legacy
The death of Jose Sarria this week is a reminder of the pioneer he was, both in politics and entertainment.
Sarria, who died Monday at the age of 90, was the first openly gay person in the country to run for public office. His campaign so terrified the city's Democratic leaders that they persuaded other candidates to run, thus diluting the vote and decreasing Sarria's chances for a seat on the Board of Supervisors.
But in deciding to seek election, Sarria shattered barriers and helped show San Franciscans that gays could wield political clout. He was right when he said that he probably could have won if he had run again.
His campaign inspired another gay person to seek elective office just over a decade later: Harvey Milk, after two attempts, won a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1977, and since then, there has been gay and lesbian representation on the board.
Sarria also founded the Imperial Court System, a charitable organization that celebrates drag and helps raise funds for numerous causes. He led a long life and accomplished much. Sarria is a true San Franciscan who always exemplified our values.
He leaves a legacy that will always live on. "God, save us nelly queens!"