Parking spaces turned to outdoor seating bring cafes into city streets

By Brian Rinker
The Guardsman

An  aesthetically-pleasing public patio called a "parklet" extends six feet  into the road and takes up three parking spots at 22nd and Bartlett  streets, kitty-corner from the City College Mission campus.

Public  roads constitute up to 25 percent of public space, the majority of  which is ultimately used by motorized vehicles for commuting, rather  than by pedestrians for relaxation and enjoyment. This has caught the  attention of groups such as design firm Rebar, who built the parklet on  22nd.

“Three  quarters of public roads are comprised of private vehicles and  obviously, there doesn't need to be that much metal out there,” Rebar  designer Blaine Merker said. “Public roadways should be more comfortable  for humans. We understood the huge need for that.”

Originally  conceived as a grassroots movement, parklets became permanent city  fixtures when former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom pushed the idea of  creating parks on public roads.

“He  wanted it to be the last great thing before he left office,” Escape  From New York Pizza Manager Chewy Marzola said. Escape from New York  Pizza is one of the parklet’s five owners and they are responsible for  its maintenance, Marzola said.

“All  in all the parklets are great,” Marzola said. “But right now I’m just  worried about the upkeep — keeping all the wear and tear to a minimum.”

Because  parklets are meant for public use and reside street side, upkeep can be  difficult at times. The graffiti on the decor wood is especially  problematic, Marzalo said.

Marzola  is also concerned about the amount of trash collecting underneath the  parklet. Every time the street cleaners come they push the entire  street’s garbage underneath it. But he has no serious complaints, nor  does anyone else.

“There  have been no legitimate complaints, except for some parking issues at  first, but people have adapted,” Marzola said. “They don’t receive any  more negative attention than anywhere else around here.”

Around the Mission, people are in favor of parklets.

“I  think parklets are a great idea,” said Oliver Gomes, FedEx delivery  driver and parklet patron. “ I want to go to all of them in one day.”

Some  neighbors have complained about pending parklets in front of two cafes:  Ritual Coffee and Farm:Table. The proposed parklets have yet to receive  permits, and no parklet opponents went to the appeal hearings. A final  decision has not yet been reached.

The  application process is fairly easy, but getting grants and money to  build the parklets is a long and tedious process, said Debra Niemann,  representative for the association Noe Valley Community Benefit  District. The association is in charge of maintaining parklets located  on 24th and Sanchez streets and on 24th and Noe streets.