SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor London Breed was joined by other community leaders on Tuesday, January 2 to unveil over 97 newly installed streetlights in the Tenderloin District. According to the Mayor’s Office, the new lights will help the neighborhood and increase public safety as part of Mayor Breed’s commitment to developing the region.
The new streetlights were funded as part of the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) Cathedral Hill Hospital Development Agreement in 2013, with $4.25 million provided by CPMC.
“Since taking office, I have been out regularly in the Tenderloin talking to residents and merchants about how we can bring meaningful change and improve public safety for people who live and work in the community,” said Mayor Breed. “The increased lighting we are unveiling today is an important project that residents have asked for, and today we are delivering.”
As part of $9 million in funding for public improvements offered under the CPMC Development Agreement, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) was provided a community benefit grant of $4.25 million. The new streetlights have been installed between McAllister and O’Farrell Streets on Larkin, Hyde, Leavenworth, and Jones Streets, as well as on Eddy Street between Larkin and Mason Streets.
“A community with more streetlights is a safer, healthier and more-connected place for everyone,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. “We are proud to work alongside Mayor Breed and our public and private partners to bring new light and vitality to the Tenderloin.”
The street lights match the style poles along Taylor Street and Golden Gate Avenue. With two lights on each pole, one lights the street and the other lights the sidewalk, allowing the new enhancements to heighten the pedestrian experience in the Tenderloin District.
“As a not-for-profit organization, Sutter Health believes in giving back. Sutter Health’s CPMC recognizes that public safety and neighborhood investments are a key component of our community’s health,” said Hamila Kownacki, Chief Operating Officer of CPMC/Sutter Health. “We are proud to work with the City and County of San Francisco to fund enhanced lighting in the Tenderloin neighborhood so residents can feel safer at night. We look forward to joining this community as a neighbor when our Van Ness Campus opens in March of this year.”
“I began working with former Mayor Lee to increase the number of streetlights in the Tenderloin in 2011,” said Randy Shaw, Director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. “We are thrilled that this critical neighborhood safety project has finally been completed.”
“As a resident of the Tenderloin neighborhood, I find it of utmost importance to increase the lighting on our streets. I am a woman who works cleaning offices at night and appreciate this effort, and it that should be duplicated throughout the neighborhood since there are still many very dark streets and this makes it dangerous and a vulnerable place for residents. We hope this continues in 2019 and that all the Tenderloin is illuminated to improve neighborhood safety and comfort,” said Tenderloin resident Johana Ramirez.
“I have lived in Tenderloin for more than 40 years. These new historic pedestrian lights are very attractive addition to our neighborhood and makes a huge difference in the night. I feel this is a good first step in returning our neighborhood to a place that we can be proud to be part of,” said Tenderloin resident Larry Gothberg.
