L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 8 Piazza, Park and Pomodoro - Updates from North Beach L ittle Italy is no longer little, nor has it b een for a while. As a matter of fact, what once was the Italian District on the Wes t Coas t has morphed/transformed into one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in th e Bay A rea. With that vibrancy comes change and below are updates on three major community projects previously reported by L'Italo-Americano. Piazza S t. Fran cis , Th e Poet's Plaza The proposed piazza for the 600 block of V allejo S treet between Grant and Columbus Avenue is still under review by city officials and neighborhood groups. The proposed piazza could require the clos ure of Vallejo Street redirecting traffic north along Grant Avenue. Concerns voiced by some res- idents continued to be focused on whether that block of Vallejo should be permanently closed, or whether some traffic should be allowed to flow through. Public hearings have been spirited with both sides presenting their argu- ments resulting in introduction of a s ugges ted redes ign for the plaza that would allow some traf- fic to continue on V allejo through to Columbus Avenue. Further public hearings along w ith cons ideratio n by the SFMTA may result in a hearing on the permit in June of 2016. If approved, a hearing would be set at Public Works in the fall of 2016, and then the project would go to the Board of Supervisors for a vote in late 2016. If the plaza passes those hurdles, a per- mit would be issued in early 2017. Joe D i Maggio Park & Playground In 2014 L'Italo-Americano reported in-depth on the plans for the improved Joe DiMaggio park and playground and now we can report the new playground reopened in Winter 2015 to the delight of neighbors and beyond. The playground and park were named for the local baseball legend at a location that has been a neighborhood land- mark recreation area since the 1930s. The new playground and park has 50 new trees, 12,000 sq. ft. of planted area, a completely new children's play area in the center of the park far from street traffic, new tennis courts and a resurfaced and renovated sports court area with more basketball hoops. The playground connects directly to the new North Beach Library via the former Mason Street, now the Mason Green pedestrian way, and to the North Beach Pool and Clubhouse. The renovated playground provides improved facilities for children, families and seniors. The success of this project is due in large part to the donations made by hundreds of citizen- sthrough their purchase of com- memorative tiles that encircle the beautifully remodeled park. To date, tile sales have contributed $350,000 to the park renovation. People are having fun locating their tiles along the perimeter. A small quantity of tiles are still available by ordering online or via mail-in order form available along with ordering information a t http://dimaggioplayground.org/d o n o r - t i l e s - a r o u n d - t h e - park. Donations to the play- ground for tiles are tax deductible. N orth Beach Farmer's Market As L'Italo-Americano high- lighted in the September 3, 2015 issue, Italians were instrumental in establishing San Francisco's firs t produce dis trict and farmer's markets. Over 100 years later, North Beach may be doing it again. According to the North Beach Neighbors organization, a recent survey they conducted indicated 225 of 229 respondents (98%) said they thought a farmers' mar- ket would improve the North Beach neighborhood. For the allotted 50 spots at the potential market, there have already been 150+ applications through the Agricultural Institute of Marin. F or a brief time in 2012, there was a farmers market on Powell Street near Columbus Avenue. The proposal to estab- lis h a new market in N orth Beach has been under considera- tion for several years with three potential locations having been narrowed down to the one on Green Street between Columbus and Grant Avenues although attendees at a recent public meeting asked organizers to con- sider other locations including Greenwich between Columbus and P ow ell S treets and the Francisco Middle School parking lot. The latest meeting on the pro- pos ed market w as held on February 22 at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club on Stockton Street, and, although it proved to be both lively and informative, no final decisions have been made. Additional community meetings are expected to be scheduled in the near future. SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY CATHERINE ACCARDI o ion l C C 6 y e m y se ce m ice ty n m d tio n ation er an r o m w h ncs t com t or an ww an d a Colonia n li de he • y ude: ca l ta d ion d d g l. .italiancs.com 6 www 5 6423 • nci o, CA 362 • 415 n F an Francisco, CA G S 67 Stree S 78 678 Green St et C C a o o asa e J Casa Coloniale J ude: ill. wil d tion and good dw dw s n t cation and good uca du du d p y, e on y, e ed ed ty, e un ty, e i unit it eng y, comm muni il il ily, comm m amil mil f h om f fam ng t t r uo an a and s ia e h th engt hasi ul r tr s he s t r hasis on t the s h a p d p h an emp phasis on t phasis on t th an emp th an emp nd it e, w wi ur tur cult ing alian lang iv li tiv talian lang It he d p ing t the e ving t ving t mm r er r de re e p and p pr pr de ing r d to hono ed to hono ed to hono i ie e m commi mi p h nd e liv r ctive liv d uctiv rodu pendent and p prod li am hem y, inde ependent and p ependent and p an hy, inde th alt e he eal liv hem liv ve he an t f p t them liv them liv h n-A help t d r ed rour ed rour te rust trus h th it ili w wi Ita Ser a amili w fam fam an and f it rs rs io enio ican se ican mer e alian-Amer er C t n C talian-Ame talian-Ame It It alia Se v es id B rovid prov vices r Italian Community Ser rvices rvices l c n in t, os o cos t n a er ices, v er S l i d n ti als r err eferr d r n ormation an v In f n • Inf formation an mmunity Co dinati n g mig i w vice coor r / • Community ser s sl s o an w immigra e ne /ne s or senior anslation f for senior r T • T Tr Tr . . t om d 9413 m t com A 9 A 94133 . zi Fugazi h F hn F F F. Fugazi ha e hat com at com and t tha and uage e g e e ar to . W We ar v v. W c to our rc to B a ea r y A ay A B Ba ants Joe DiMaggio Playground with commemorative tiles. Courtesy of Friends of Joe DiMaggio Playground Piazza St. Francis-The Poet's Plaza rendering from above. Courtesy of Dennis Sullivan North Beach Farmers' Market on Powell Street in 2012. Photo from www.yelp.com

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