Divisadero Street Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative - Office of ...

• More garbage receptacles• Better night-time lighting at storefronts or store windows• Consolidated pay boxes to replace parking meters• Consolidated news racks to replace the “hodgepodge” of individualnewspapers’ competing racks• More bike racks• Remove billboards, which negatively give Divisadero a “highway feel”Pedestrian AccommodationsThere are many available services on Divisadero which are ideal for customerswalking from nearby residential areas. However, the narrow sidewalks andgeneral urban design makes it difficult to support a high volume of pedestriantraffic, and there is little room for outdoor seating and displays of the typethat encourage activity.The lighting of the sidewalk area is not conducive to pedestrians feeling safeat night on the street. Most of the lighting is auto-oriented, placed in themedian, and a lack of light from storefronts creates a large number of darkspots throughout the district.The crosswalks and signals are not ideal for pedestrians, either. Mostintersections have no pedestrian signals or count-down signals to indicatewhen it is safe to cross on foot, making the individual rely on the automobiletraffic light. Some intersections, in particular Grove and Ellis, have only acrosswalk, and pedestrians complained of the very real danger of crossing thestreet at these intersections, as cars very rarely slow down or stop for peoplein the crosswalk.Given the tight dimensions of the street, Divisadero delivers a sharp,uncomfortable contrast between pedestrian and vehicle activities.Meeting attendees had the following observations and suggestions:• Increase sidewalk width for better ADA and stroller access, as well as toencourage café seating at restaurantsDivisadero Street Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative21