Fisherman’s Wharf gets new look with completion of Jefferson Streetscape Project

San Francisco completed the $16.3 million Jefferson Streetscape Project at Fisherman’s Wharf in an effort to make the popular destination more inviting for both tourists and locals.

The project narrowed the Jefferson Street roadway and established alternating concrete bands to help calm vehicle traffic. Additionally, sidewalks were widened, new trees planted and scaled lighting was added to improve pedestrian safety at night. 

The second project phase focused on the area of Jefferson Street between Jones and Powell streets.

On Friday, city officials gathered to celebrate at the new Jefferson and Taylor streets plaza, which was transformed from a parking lot. The plaza was treated to new seating and pavement. 

Mayor London Breed said visitors will now be able to sit at the plaza and enjoy the clam chowder bread bowls from Boudin’s, adding:

“It’s an amazing plaza that can be used for activities where people can eat, where they can enjoy live music.”

Supervisor Aaron Peskin thanked the multiple agencies that helped make the possible, as well as the Fisherman’s Wharf community members who endured the construction. Peskin said the project went smoothly even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interim Public Works Director Carla Short said crews used pandemic-related business to their advantage, adding:

“This ensured that any construction impact would be minimal once businesses resumed operations and were ready to welcome back locals and out-of-town visitors.”

The Port’s Executive Director Elaine Forbes said:

“The Fisherman’s Wharf community is thrilled that the city is making general generational investments in this place for our future.”

Crews completed the project’s first phase on Jefferson Street between Hyde Street and Jones streets in June 2013, with a budget of nearly $5 million. The Department of Public Works managed construction of both phases in collaboration with the Port Authority and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Design and planning for the project began more a decade ago as part of the Fisherman’s Wharf Public Realm Plan.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.