The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission unanimously voted last week to approve the final design for the $40 million Embarcadero Plaza waterfront park.
As part of the city’s economic recovery and downtown revitalization strategy, the 5-acre space at the foot of Market Street will transform into a large central lawn, playground, community gathering space and outdoor dining area, a city news release said.
“This new and ambitious waterfront park is part of our vision for a downtown where people live, work, play, and learn and will help us build on our momentum downtown because when downtown succeeds, our entire city succeeds,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie in the release.
The $40 million project is being supported by both in the private and public sector, with $20 million being secured by philanthropic nonprofit Crankstart and the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation, and $18 million secured from public funding sources. According to the news release, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will oversee the project breaking ground in late 2026 and will support long-term upkeep.
On Tuesday, Supervisor Danny Sauter, whose District 3 includes Embarcadero Plaza, introduced legislation for the city to accept up to $20 million in private funding for the waterfront park project. In the news release, he said the renovation will be the “gateway from San Francisco’s downtown to our Bay,” and will bring more art, culture and recreation opportunities.
The release said the large space will host festivals, concerts, picnic areas and gardens to connect the waterfront to downtown.
The final concept design approved Thursday reflects more than a yearlong effort of community engagement through public meetings, survey responses and comments from residents and workers.
The city release said the project also plans to integrate “historic interpretation elements” to show the Embarcadero’s evolution throughout history, including the original plaza with the controversial Vaillancourt Fountain and the Embarcadero Freeway, a 1.2-mile, double-decker elevated roadway that operated from 1959 to 1991.
“Great cities are defined by their public spaces,” said Shola Olatoye, CEO of the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation. “The Embarcadero was once shaped by a freeway. Now it will be shaped by the people who use it, 5 acres connecting downtown to the Bay with room for concerts, markets, and kids having fun on the playground.”
