Union Square’s $40 Million Makeover Coming to Powell Street
Union Square is planning a $40 million makeover for the three blocks of Powell Street between Market Street and Union Square.
The redesign includes a giant suspended “golden lantern” of hundreds of programmable LED bulbs above the cable car turnaround, plus rows of glowing globe lights strung in a zigzag pattern down the street. The lantern could light up for occasions like Pride or big sports wins.
The plan also calls for widened 21-foot sidewalks, new café seating, gold-colored benches, leaning rails for the cable car line, added plantings, and a continuous red brick roadway with sparkling charcoal concrete inlays.
The price tag has climbed from $30 million to $40 million, and so far about half is funded. $3.5 million has already been set aside in the city budget, while the rest may come from a $390 million civic improvement bond on the November ballot.
If funding and approvals fall into place, construction could kick off in fall 2026.
H/t: SF Chronicle and SFist
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