The Hall
1028 Market Street
I helped turn an abandoned Mid-Market eyesore into a thriving community hub.
Skills used: stakeholder engagement, event planning, community building, public speaking, workshop design and facilitation
Press: SF Chronicle | Next City | Medium
All images courtesy of Tidewater Capital
Problem
Developers bought 1028 Market Street, a vacant building in the heart of San Francisco's Mid-Market neighborhood, with plans to turn it into a mixed-use, mixed-income building. While the developers navigated the San Francisco planning process, the building was sitting vacant and was an unattractive magnet for negative activity.
Outcome
The project passed unanimously at the San Francisco Planning Commission (a very rare occurrence!)
The Hall became a beloved community institution in the mid-Market area
Approach
We turned the vacant space into The Hall: an interim-use project that was temporarily activated for 3 years as a food hall, bar, and gathering space. Nascent restaurateurs could test their concept before committing to their own brick-and-mortar location, and we offered support and a customer base.
I employed participatory design in the community engagement and development entitlement process. I then programmed the space with events for the community, corporate and private events, and non-profit fundraisers where leaders could network with local businesses and find new sources of support.
I also managed our public art process, from designing the process, recruiting an advisory and review committee, running a participatory process with input from the community, and helping the developer select an artist.
I led community outreach, building relationships with the neighborhood leaders, non-profits, residents, etc, who normally would have opposed a development project. I gave them space and opportunity to showcase their contributions to the neighborhood, building relationships and strengthening the neighborhood network in the process.
Highlights:
Fundraiser for Hamilton Family Homes (homeless service provider) with the cast of the musical Hamilton, exceeding fundraising goals and bringing joy and music to the community.
In partnership with the local police department, hosted a series of jobs fairs that attracted the attention of the Mayor for the innovative approach of providing access to jobs, job training, and services for people with high barriers to employment.
Partners
Tidewater Capital & War Horse Development
