23 parking spaces during commute hours added in Chinatown amid 3 major renovation projects

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Chinatown always lacks parking spaces to meet demand. The situation worsened after the city began three major construction projects simultaneously in June this summer. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announced the addition of 23 parking spaces in Chinatown during weekday commute hours to improve the situation.

Of those 23 parking spaces, 11 are on the southern side of the 2-block stretch of Clay Street between Kearny and Sansome streets, and the other 12 are on the southern side of the 1-block stretch of Sacramento Street between Powell and Stockton Streets.

Prior to the changes, 11 parking spaces on Clay Street were in a tow-away zone during 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. on weekdays with parking restrictions. The 12 parking spaces on Sacramento Street were a tow-away zone at 4-6 p.m.

Since August, all 23 parking spaces have been available to the public 24 hours a day, every day.

Both Clay and Sacramento streets are also two-way routes for the 1-California line, which connects the Richmond District to downtown and passes through Chinatown.

Meanwhile, the SFMTA converted the adjacent traffic lane next to the curbside lane along the 2-block Clay Street into a 24-hour transit lane. The transit lane allows use by right-turning vehicles and taxis.

According to the SFMTA, the 1-California is one of Muni's busiest routes, serving more than 20,000 riders every day.

Ed Siu, President and Founder of the Chinatown Merchants United Association, has vocalized constant communication with the SFMTA for years regarding more parking spaces in Chinatown. His demands on behalf of the merchants grew stronger in June this year when construction began simultaneously for three major renovation projects: Portsmouth Square Park, Chinatown Branch Library and Chinatown Public Health Center.

"Chinatown merchants have asked for more parking and better curb access near Portsmouth Square. In response, we identified ways to add parking while still supporting reliable Muni service," said the SFMTA in an announcement. "This project focuses on balancing curb access for businesses with reliable transit service on the 1-California."

SFMTA’s Streets Director Viktoriya Wise spoke at a press event announcing that this project could achieve two goals: creating a 24-hour transit lane to help the 1-California move more reliably and restoring parking for Chinatown.

Wise further said the project was carried out to support and listen to businesses and customers. In the meantime, the project also helped reduce delays for the 1-California Muni ride, improve reliability and reduce crowding and pass-ups.

The SFMTA added those two tow-away zones in Chinatown in 2016 to help buses move faster. The tow-away zones also led to reduced curbside parking during peak hours.

Siu welcomed the SFMTA adding more parking in Chinatown. "It is a return of the parking spaces to the community that we have demanded for years," said Siu.