[San Frangelino]

Being a great city has little to do with buildings on the waterfront.

Thanks for saying that CyberEric. I just went to Paris, which isn't lacking in high rises, but certainly isn't cramped with them. Its cramped with 8 story lowrise density. In fact the spots I loved the most, had no high rises to be seen. It's undoubtedly one of the worlds great cities.

Let's not forget that waterfront high rises are being planned into large scale building projects within San Francisco. Projects like the recently approved Treasure Island redevelopment, Candlestick/Hunters point, and the nearby Giants development. Wether they get built, I guess is another argument. Wether with or without them, San Francisco will become a more dynamic place is also arguable.

[tommaso]

Thanks for saying that CyberEric. I just went to Paris, which isn't lacking in high rises, but certainly isn't cramped with them. Its cramped with 8 story lowrise density. In fact the spots I loved the most, had no high rises to be seen. It's undoubtedly one of the worlds great cities.

Let's not forget that waterfront high rises are being planned into large scale building projects within San Francisco. Projects like the recently approved Treasure Island redevelopment, Candlestick/Hunters point, and the nearby Giants development. Wether they get built, I guess is another argument. Wether with or without them, San Francisco will become a more dynamic place is also arguable.

Paris is a great place and in no way are its zoning laws and residential stock to be confused with S.F.'s. Any time I see a six to eight story well designed mixed use residential development on Van Ness and in parts of SoMa, I immediately think of Paris because that is how the post-Hausmannian Paris was built. I like those types of developments, but clearly, they are far and few between in S.F. and far too many prime development plots of land in S.F. are immensely underutilized. Just take Market Street starting from Powell and stretching to Van Ness. We've been following the approved zoning laws that govern building rights along that corridor for well over 3 years now here on Skyscraperpage Forum. Certainly, it's been well documented here that the rights to build on prime real estate are there. Our politicians have done their part. Demand for commercial/residential space even beyond Powell and extending to the Castro on Market Street is undoubtedly there. No one is truly worried about some vagrants from the 'loin' bothering the office workers/residents in Mid-Market. If that were the case, Trinity wouldn't be under construction and the Federal Building wouldn't have been built. Demand is not the issue. Financing is. S.F. is always short on its housing stock and that's why the price to rent here is through the roof! People from the outside largely view S.F. as the only response to New York City west of New York in terms of lifestyle and quality of life and that includes cultural and economic diversity. Well, that being said, this is why my expectations are and will always be higher for S.F. than they will ever be for Chicago or L.A. I know that due to the small mindedness S.F. can often have when it comes to building on the scale of a Chicago or L.A., it becomes difficult to get massive projects approved. NIMBYS know who they are. I always enjoy entertaining these conversations with you guys here and I consistently appreciate the vast wealth of information that all of you here at skyscraperpage bring to the forefront. We are the best website to go to when it comes to these conversations and discussions. I'll get back to this discussion in a bit and I don't want to get off topic either because I know this is a Mission Bay specific thread so I'll keep it on topic.

[timbad]

it's been a while, so I thought I would give a quick update on a couple of things that don't have webcams...

first, they continue to plug away steadily on Madrone, and I sure can't tell yet where one phase would stop and a second start. here looking at the south side facing the Commons, from the southwest across Third:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/5862005223_f4914b17bf_b.jpg

here is the Third-St-facing (west) side:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5040/5862007529_7f1ce61825_b.jpg

here the north side (on a different day). it's hard to tell, but the first windows had been placed:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5862619442_0cf5935b12_b.jpg

and the side facing the little alleyway separating it from older-but-little-brother Radiance:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5862617386_ca5820cc83_b.jpg

[timbad]

... and, things have definitely finally gotten to the point where they visibly change rapidly over in the northwest corner near the roundabout. daily progress is always evident now.

the inbound road from Seventh has been poured:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/5862011707_42329491da_b.jpg

the outbound one is next:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5862621752_8d667d2157_b.jpg

I wish there was a better way to make this clearer from this (northwest) side, but in this shot is the roundabout itself coming into being. the roads from Seventh come in from the right in the photo, and splay when they get to the roundabout ring which has mostly been poured:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5239/5862564928_e9a558923f_b.jpg

and here taken from the stub end of Owens coming up from the south:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/5862561178_1a20cc62d3_b.jpg

[tommaso]

These recent photos are phenomenal! I have renewed hope that South of South Beach can turn into a vibrant mixed use neighborhood! The more dense housing with quality retail, the better.

Not every local worker wants to commute to work and the convenience of good housing coupled with some quality K-12 schools should improve that area. I can imagine at least one new K-12 school will need to be built to accommodate the new population. I haven't read exactly where that school will be built or when. Hospital shouldn't be an issue finding access to and entertainment isn't very far either, there's baseball adjacent to Mission Bay and most downtown nightlife is a few Muni stops away or a short cab ride.

My main hope is that Mission Bay ultimately becomes at least a Hayes Valley in terms of pedestrian activity level and diversity of retail/restaurants/nightlife. I'm not expecting a Mission district vibe in Mission Bay, but there's no reason why Mission Bay can't become an energetic or vibrant area as parts of SOMA are.

Who will decide to become the neighborhood's retail tenants? Well, the obvious ones are Albertsons, Whole Foods, CVS, maybe a BevMo, Starbucks, Bank of America, Chase. But, only very basic needs will be met with these retail tenants. The diversity of the retail will have to be addressed and I don't know that that will be possible because the rents will be high and most of the residents Mission Bay will be targeting will be families and middle-aged professionals.

I don't know that Mission Bay will be able to turn into the kind of culturally vibrant neighborhood that I would want to visit; visit its cafes, its bookstores, its bars, its restaurants, its parks, its everything. I'm not sure this neighborhood will have the opportunity to grow a bit of flavor. It would be good to have some flavor. 100% corporate and stale isn't the ideal place to live for everybody. I don't see any commercial spaces being built in Mission Bay that would offer enough space to house a movie theatre, multiple screens. That is necessary and would be a great addition to the neighborhood!

For those of you who wonder where my frustration comes from when I can no longer accept that S.F. develops real estate at such a snails pace and on such a small scale compared to other major cosmopolitan cities, I ask that you please follow this link which leads to a large scale mixed-use development in the Toronto area that has left me with no doubt that this is precisely how major cities should approach development.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=182236

And I absolutely don't doubt that Mission Bay could have been developed in this manner and especially on this scale. It is politics and a general small mindedness that the power brokers have when it comes to conceptualizing and defining land use laws for S.F. that enable this perpetuation of new neighborhoods that never resemble the mass, scale, density or diversity that a real city neighborhood with a real city feel should have.

[WildCowboy]

Not every local worker wants to commute to work and the convenience of good housing coupled with some quality K-12 schools should improve that area. I can imagine at least one new K-12 school will need to be built to accommodate the new population. I haven't read exactly where that school will be built or when.

There is a 2.2-acre site at the northwest corner of UCSF's campus that has been set aside as a school site. Tentative plans lean toward a K-5 or K-8 school with a science focus drawing on UCSF's expertise. I believe the school district has until 2027 to commit to building the school.

Who will decide to become the neighborhood's retail tenants? Well, the obvious ones are Albertsons, Whole Foods, CVS, maybe a BevMo, Starbucks, Bank of America, Chase. But, only very basic needs will be met with these retail tenants.

I'm not sure the retail space for another supermarket is in the plans...I imagine the Safeway at Fourth and King is intended as Mission Bay's supermarket. I could be wrong about that though.

I don't see any commercial spaces being built in Mission Bay that would offer enough space to house a movie theatre, multiple screens. That is necessary and would be a great addition to the neighborhood!

No thanks on movie theaters. The majority of them in the area are just teenager hangouts that draw crime.

[timbad]

something is afoot... pile driving imminent on block 2?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5886935086_c7b27a8eef_b.jpg

and more concrete has gone in over in the NW corner - this is the outbound road and sidewalk:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/5886988410_f06e99b6ca_b.jpg

Socketsite had a blurb on Madrone today:

http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/06/madrone_tminus_two_months_to_sales_and_expected_pricing.html

[WildCowboy]

^^^Woo hoo...go Block 2! For reference, this is a project by UDR along Channel Street between Third and Fourth. It consists of 315 rental units and about 8,000 sf of retail.

I guess Farallon is finally looking (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2011/06/is-alexandria-a-buyer-again-in-mission.html) to sell of Block 40 to someone who will develop it. This is the odd-shaped block squeezed up along 280 between 16th and Mariposa along the future Owens Street extension. It will be right across the street from UCSF's hospital parking garage and lots, and will eventually be across the street from hospital functions once UCSF builds out the second phase of the hospital in a couple of decades.

650,000 square feet of space allowable on the site, and it's basically the last major biotech site available in the area. Speculation is that Alexandria may be interested after having sold off almost all of its vacant land in the area to Salesforce.

[timbad]

... pile driving in progress! :tup:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5889481973_2c8fac8fe4_b.jpg

they have the eastern half of block 2 fenced off and as of this evening had stuck two long beams in the ground over on the Third St edge (here looking south):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5889483975_b3445f2564_b.jpg

lot C just got a little smaller!

[WildCowboy]

^^^Very nice. Looks to just be indicator piles for now, but hopefully they'll quickly move forward on fabricating the full set based on the results of the tests, and we'll be up and going!

[Potrero]

At the edge of Mission Bay on 16th Street, Daggett Place (http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/99/Daggett%20%20Place.html)seems to finally be on the move. I can't wait until something starts there.

They are going in front of the SF planning commission in July. Not sure how long before construction can start after that.
:cheers:

[WildCowboy]

^^^Very nice to see this still moving forward. It'll make a huge difference in the initial impression of Mission Bay people get as they come in on the heavily-traveled 16th Street access.

Now, if only they didn't have to see the back end of 1700 Owens as the first thing after crossing the tracks.

[CyberEric]

Looks like a very nice project. The design is interesting without being caustic.

Thanks for posting. Do we think this deserves its own thread?

[Potrero]

Looks like a very nice project. The design is interesting without being caustic.

Thanks for posting. Do we think this deserves its own thread?
Not sure what the rules are about threads but I for my convenience I would love to keep it all in one thread so I don't have to check too many of them :). Is there a Potrero/Showplace Square thread around?

[WildCowboy]

I don't think there's a Potero/Showplace thread anywhere.

FWIW, I like having neighboring stuff like Daggett Place and Pier 70 here in the Mission Bay thread, but I recognize that that's not strictly kosher.

[CyberEric]

I see your point about it being convenient, I like that too. But what about new people looking for threads on Petrero/Showplace projects? Aren't they going to be at a disadvantage?

[WildCowboy]

I see your point about it being convenient, I like that too. But what about new people looking for threads on Petrero/Showplace projects? Aren't they going to be at a disadvantage?

That's the problem. Of course, are there that many projects in Potrero and Showplace that people are really looking for? If there are, they're not being discussed in these forums as far as I know. So if Daggett is the only thing going on in that area and it's so close to MB, I prefer to see it lumped in.

[viewguysf]

That's the problem. Of course, are there that many projects in Potrero and Showplace that people are really looking for? If there are, they're not being discussed in these forums as far as I know. So if Daggett is the only thing going on in that area and it's so close to MB, I prefer to see it lumped in.

I also prefer that.

[peanut gallery]

Same here. I don't think there's enough happening in the surrounding neighborhoods for each to have its own thread. I think it's fine to keep them here.

timbad - thanks again for all the fantastic updates. I was asking around on SocketSite about the phasing of Madrone and someone told me they will start by only selling 200 units in the south and west side of the building. So I'm guessing they will complete the shell in one fell swoop, but complete interiors as they decide to bring more units online.

[Potrero]

I ran on Terry Francois yesterday and the windows are now going up on the Madrone. First floor almost done.

The building will be looking much more complete in a few weeks. :cheers:

[ElDuderino]

I ran on Terry Francois yesterday and the windows are now going up on the Madrone. First floor almost done.

The building will be looking much more complete in a few weeks. :cheers:

Good news. Bring a camera next time ;)

[Potrero]

Good news. Bring a camera next time ;)
Not when I am running :). However I just figured out how to add pictures to the website so I will start posting pictures too.

[WildCowboy]

Excellent profile of Marc Benioff (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/24/MN3B1KAGMQ.DTL) in today's Chronicle centering on his philanthropy, which is of course primarily toward UCSF's Mission Bay hospital these days.

Buried in the article is mention that the Salesforce Foundation (the company, not Benioff personally) is considering making its largest gift ever, a $10 million gift to Family House to help build a $30 million facility next to UCSF's Mission Bay hospital where out-of-town families can stay while their children are receiving treatment. Family House is a national network of such facilities, and the Koret Family House currently operates two small buildings near the Parnassus campus (one on Irving and one on 10th Ave).

I don't remember seeing anything about this project anywhere, so I'm not sure where it is supposed to be. Anybody else remember anything on this?

[WildCowboy]

More good news (http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/27/dropbox-leases-giant-new-sf-office-plans-to-grow-to-400-employees/) for Mission Bay North...file syncing and sharing firm Dropbox is taking 87,000 sf in the China Basin building on Berry Street along the channel.

They're moving from the Phelan Building on Market and looking to grow from 65 employees to 400 as they're reportedly seeking to raise a $200-300 million round of private financing.

[WildCowboy]

Mission Bay news keeps on rolling today.

Just received word that UCSF will be starting construction on the hospital parking garage this week. They'll be drilling the piles instead of driving them.

Here (http://www.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/documents/presentation4_mbcat11-16-10_medicalcenteratmb_phase1parkingstructure_0.pdf) is a PDF document of a presentation showing site plans and renderings. It'll be along future Owens Street, but that's not going in just yet.

They want the garage done by the middle of next year I think so that they can use it for contractor parking for the hospital buildout when that gets into full swing.

The garage will also eventually be expanded to the south when UCSF builds the second phase of the hospital west of Fourth.

[peanut gallery]

Excellent updates all the way around.

Potrero - look forward to your photos. In the meantime, how does the glass that's gone on so far look? Anything look much different from the renderings?

[WildCowboy]

And now a not-so-excellent update:

Merck is pulling out of 1700 Owens, shutting down the unit it acquired when it bought Sirna Therapeutics. Sirna's work will be distributed throughout Merck's research, but the SF unit of 50 jobs is going away. Not a huge amount of people or space, but certainly a major drug maker that was a feather in Mission Bay's cap.

http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/07/29/merck-shuts-down-rnai-research-center-in-sf-cutting-50-jobs/

[timbad]

... how does the glass that's gone on so far look? Anything look much different from the renderings?

I'll jump in here with an incomplete answer... here is a shot from the distance of 4th St, taken over the weekend. it might still be difficult to compare the present state with renderings, since I think all the windows are still covered in blue. (I haven't posted in a while partly because, although work has been steady, there didn't seem to be too much visible difference anywhere since the last time I put pics up, but I'll try to get close-ups soon)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/6004120039_158f7e5444_b.jpg

over in the northwest, visible progress has slowed considerably since a spurt in June and early July. here is the inbound road, where landforms have been molded and it seems landscaping is waiting to be put in:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/6004665144_3a93ebb771_b.jpg

and here is what the approach to the roundabout looks like coming up Owens from the south:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/6004122049_5174b20c73_b.jpg

test piles continue to go in across all of block 2.

changing subject, I also vote to have nearby projects such as Daggett Place, Potrero Launch, Pier 70, Seawall Lot 337, kept in this thread for now. Pier 70 might deserve its own thread when it really gets going, and Showplace Square *might* need its own when there are more things going on there, but I like Mission Bay being the gravity and the glue connecting it all.

[peanut gallery]

Thanks timbad! Can't wait to see the glass after the protective covering is removed.

[WildCowboy]

Thanks for the shots, timbad...looking good, and really helps for those of us not in the area but still following the progress.


I just grabbed a couple of shots from the UCSF webcam (http://missionbayhospitals.ucsf.edu/multimedia/live-webcam) showing the current state of things on the hospital.

First, in line with what I noted earlier this week, they have indeed begun drilling piles for the hospital parking garage near 16th and future Owens:

http://i52.tinypic.com/2z6rrpl.png

Over at the hospital itself, they seem to have pretty much wrapped up work on the southern portion of the main steel structure and have now switched over the northern side to begin working their way back toward the crane.

Here's the southern portion:

http://i54.tinypic.com/npo2uq.png

And here's the northern portion:

http://i55.tinypic.com/9te2bk.png

In both shots you can see that they've really cleared away and done grading on where future Fourth Street will be. UCSF is still working on getting approvals to have it closed to through traffic and just have cul-de-sacs coming in from the north and south to service the hospitals. They've presented to the community and need to go all the way up to the supes to get the public right-of-way turned over to UCSF.

UCSF wants to develop seating areas and open space there, with pedestrian and bike access running through it. It seems key with the hospital being on one side of Fourth and the parking lot/garage on the other side to cut that off to through traffic for safety's sake. From what I know of the history of the planning on it, the Dogpatch neighbors are behind it, as it will keep traffic shunted to Third and Owens rather than flowing from Fourth directly into their neighborhood. So hopefully it will go through smoothly.

[timbad]

thanks WC for the med center shots! even tho I walk by there fairly frequently, I should check out the webcam more often - the camera's perspective gives a better idea what's going on behind the fences.

this is what it looks like from street level, looking south down Third:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6043848280_42bc708516_b.jpg

and here a similar above-the-ground shot from the Third St garage roof:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6043860858_3b4a439837_b.jpg

for me, the biggest surprise seeing the bulk start to take form is how far west, toward the freeway, the building extends. not sure why, but in my mind's eye before construction, it hugged the Third St edge much more closely.

[timbad]

and of course, that other crane you see in the distance in that last photo is the Potrero Launch project, which takes up most of the block bounded by 19th, 20th, Third and Illinois. here is how it is doing, looking south on Third:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6043362533_85c5ff5dba_b.jpg

and north:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6043915394_e46125e967_b.jpg

and here is the 'back', on Illinois, across the street from the Pier 70 project (out of the pic):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/6043370023_04f65598e6_b.jpg

[timbad]

again, in the distance of the second photo above, you can barely glimpse the cranes over Madrone. I had promised some closer-up shots.

first, some 'context', taken from the Commons to the southeast:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/6043231077_60d66795d3_b.jpg

here a close-up of the southeast corner, the base of one of the tower sections:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/6043235439_4757dcc7ac_b.jpg

here looking from the southwest:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6043240073_633be45849_b.jpg

and here a close-up of the contrast of a tower section with the central part of the south façade:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/6043816656_5809947b99_b.jpg

and here is the Third St side. it seems that for now at least, most of the glass has gone in around the southern half of the building:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6043807442_93df5f96ac_b.jpg

here is the northwestern corner and north side:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/6043262843_dbfab77489_b.jpg

and the east side, looking onto the little passage between Madrone and Radiance:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6044011652_04f3d65966_b.jpg

[timbad]

first, an overview of the area that might help make more sense of what is shown in the following pics: this post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=5118937&postcount=761)

they have started placing the soil in the median between the in- and outbound roads leading between the roundabout and the RR crossing at Seventh. my nose told me there was a hefty dose of manure in there. looking east down the inbound road:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6044229998_5e41d60d69_b.jpg

and looking south from under the freeway:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6044232856_805cc02b37_b.jpg

in the roundabout itself, they have cast a concrete wall of some sort, with more framing in progress. looking from the northwest:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6043687043_926425ca42_b.jpg

looking at the roundabout from the southeast:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6044222130_9015ffb955_b.jpg

and here looking just to the right of the previous image, you get a glimpse of the sidewalk that curves along what will be the west edge of block 12. the road in the foreground would be the one coming from the future Commons:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/6044218494_cdf4171628_b.jpg

here is looking from Owens coming up from the south, where they have also started laying down soil in the median:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6043644167_3f44613f88_b.jpg

here it looks like they are getting ready to pour the sidewalk on the left (west) side of the Owens approach (in the future there will be a playing field on the left):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6044197022_392d70a680_b.jpg

and the sidewalk on the east. this block on the right is the site slated for a public school:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6044201938_fb64ac3549_b.jpg

[timbad]

elsewhere, not sure if you can see in the distance, but they were working on the next section of Nelson Rising Lane behind the neurosciences building. they had been digging significantly back there for quite some time, as well as in the already-finished section behind the CVR (which you can also see is somewhat ongoing). looking west across Third from the roof of the South St garage:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6044318814_31596f2d3c_b.jpg

(not in the pic, but maybe related, they are still excavating deep on the Koret Quad side of Rock Hall; this work seems interminable to me.)

and, also hard to see the equipment, but they were tucking into the massive mound of dirt that has sat for over a year northwest of the neurosciences building:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/6043678523_ebd8d1f036_b.jpg

and, here a shot northwest up the former Fourth St, showing the pile driving that has been completed on block 2 (and the Fourth St Bridge in the distance):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/6043708758_9b8f53e618_b.jpg

[timbad]

Construction should be starting any time now. See Port document (http://www.sf-port.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=1787)

I did notice for the first time some sort of indication of activity in this area. besides the excavator, for some reason there was a heavy plastic sheet spread across the ground along the bayfront (with bright yellow weights). as seen from the roof of the Third St garage:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/6044790374_a83c306b45_b.jpg

here is a closer (but poor) view looking north:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6044250847_6ffd3b5329_b.jpg

[ElDuderino]

Wow. Great update. It looks like the Madrone only has 2 more regular residential floors and the penthouse floor to go until it is topped out. That seemed fast.

[1977]

Thanks timbad! Amazing update.

It's really great to see some movement at that waterfront park. What a pleasure it'll be to finally enjoy this section of the waterfront. It's amazing how many decades it's been underused and neglected.

[WildCowboy]

Great shots as always, timbad...thanks!

[timbad]

Socketsite had some Mission Bay stuff posted today...

here (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/04/mission_bay_neighborhood_block_watch_and_construction_c.html) it gives the run-down on the timeline on especially the blocks at the north end of Fourth (nothing new, but a nice reminder as we get closer to things getting rolling):

http://www.socketsite.com/Mission%20Bay%20Block%20Watch%204-15-11.jpg

"Blocks 5 and 11 down in Mission Bay have just changed hands for a combined $41.4 million according to the San Francisco Business Times. Entitled for 198 and 170 units respectively, the acquiring BRE Properties plans to start construction of rental units on the two blocks by the end of the year.

In related neighborhood block news, United Dominion Trust is planning to break ground on 315 rental units and 9,000 square feet of retail on Block 2 in the third quarter; Mercy Housing will likely break ground on 134 affordable units on Block 13 East by the end of the year (with Bosa following with 285 condos on Block 13 West); and Urban Housing Group is expecting to break ground on 147 rental units on Block 3 in 2012. ..."

[San Frangelino]

This image was on Socketsite (http://www.socketsite.com/) yesterday.

1300 Third Street Today And In The Context Of Tomorrow
http://www.socketsite.com/1300%20Third%20Street%20Tomorrow.jpg

I believe that's the Giants Development in the background.

[WildCowboy]

timbad, that report is from April.

And San Frangelino, yes, that's actually the new police/fire station wrapping around the old fire station, and presumably a generic depiction of the Giants development beyond.

Here (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/08/the_plans_for_the_frederick_meyer_designed_1300_third_s.html) is the new Socketsite report on the old fire station, which will be turned into offices and community gathering space.

[timbad]

timbad, that report is from April.


yep, thanks, I realized the goof today but couldn't correct from work, sorry for any confusion everyone... I had linked to the block status article from the firehouse one at Socketsite, and my eyes quickly scanned 'April' as 'August'. I was going to delete the post, but I will leave it just as a reminder of what should be coming down the pike soon.

[peanut gallery]

You've outdone yourself, timbad. Anyone can post photo updates but you give us descriptions of smells as well! Nice touch. Of course, to impress us next time you'll have to actually taste the dirt and let us know what you think about it then. :)

[timbad]

... to impress us next time you'll have to actually taste the dirt and let us know what you think... :)

ha, maybe that is a challenge I won't take up just yet! but speaking of that dirt, it looks like it's about to get some company. sorry for the poor exposure - with the end of summer I just about don't have any daylight after work anymore. but it's going to be so nice to get some green in in an area that has been brown and trashy for so long.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6075639526_b62cfde6f9_b.jpg

and a couple shots from this last weekend...

they've poured the sidewalks on either side of the Owens approach to the roundabout:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6075644862_fbb91c9bab_b.jpg

here is a close-up on the work on Nelson Rising Lane behind Rock Hall and the neurosciences building, looking west from Fourth. they'd been working underground for quite some time:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6075642316_a0cbe3610c_b.jpg

and a couple shots of the hospital, first from the South St Garage:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6075108255_0abd6a7770_b.jpg

and at street level, from the current foot of Fourth St at 16th:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6075193787_3bca438fe8_b.jpg

what used to be three discreet sections of steel are now gradually being linked up into one massive form.

[WildCowboy]

Looking great, timbad...thanks as always. Lots of activity going on all over MB South it seems like...everywhere you look from Madrone to the roundabout to the hospital.

Can't wait until Salesforce gets up and going.

[KVNBKLYN]

looking great, timbad...thanks as always. Lots of activity going on all over mb south it seems like...everywhere you look from madrone to the roundabout to the hospital.

Can't wait until salesforce gets up and going.

^^^^^^^ +1!

[WildCowboy]

^^^Okay, that was weird selective removal of capital letters from my post. :shrug:

[peanut gallery]

Including the caps in your name! Only a single L survived.

Anyway, I'm with you too. It's exciting seeing these elements coming together all over MB. It's rare to see a clean slate rebuilt with so many individual developments like this.

timbad - guess I'll have to come down there and taste the dirt myself. ;) Thanks, as always, for the updates!

[KVNBKLYN]

^^^Okay, that was weird selective removal of capital letters from my post. :shrug:

I just clicked "quote"; no idea why there was a selective decapitalization!

[timbad]

work has started on a mural on the backside of Crescent Cove, the affordable housing tucked between the curve of the Caltrain tracks and the 280 ramps.

this seems to be the project's website:

http://systemsmuralproject.com/SMP-PROJECT_INFORMATION-WHAT.html

and here a shot of what the finished product will look like:

http://www.dbarchitect.com/images/dynamic/slideshow_images/image//systemsmuralproject.jpg

these were taken from a moving train through smudgy windows, sorry:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6091712467_46c9302076_b.jpg

this is as you're first making the turn coming up from the south:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6091697781_2ba6ab3290_b.jpg

[peanut gallery]

That is one big mural. I hope the idiot taggers leave it alone.

[CyberEric]

That's going to look fantastic! Thanks for posting.

[peanut gallery]

Bad news: 4 workers were seriously injured when a roof collapsed at the Potrero Launch Apartments construction site -- you can see its crane in the background of one of timbad's shots above. The complete article is on SFGate (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/31/BA4G1KU8BI.DTL&tsp=1), but here's a snippet:

4 hurt in roof collapse at S.F. construction site
Vivian Ho, Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writers
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Four construction workers in San Francisco were hurt today, three seriously, when a roof where they were pouring concrete collapsed, authorities and the construction company said.

The crew was working on a six-story apartment building under construction at 2235 Third St. near 19th Street when the accident happened at about 8 a.m., said Mindy Talmadge, a Fire Department spokeswoman.

Four workers were taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where three were in serious condition. The fourth suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was discharged this afternoon, said hospital spokeswoman Rachael Kagan. The victims are men in their 20s to 30s.

...

It sounds mostly like broken bones. Hopefully, all of them will recover just fine.


Edit: adding a shot of the area they were working on:
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2011/08/31/ba-Concrete_0504048403.jpg
Source: SFGate (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2011/08/31/BA4G1KU8BI.DTL&object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2011%2F08%2F31%2Fba-Concrete_0504048403.jpg).

[1977]

Archstone Apartments recently bought Daggett Place and is looking to start construction next summer. Unfortunately, I don't have a subscription to the SF Business Times so I can only offer a fragment of the article.

Archstone Apartments is continuing its Bay Area buying spree with the $36 million acquisition of the Daggett Place property in inner Potrero Hill, a development site entitled for 470 units.
Archstone plans to start construction next August. The two-building rental development, at 1000 16th St., will take 18 months to build...
Remainder of the article and source:http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2011/09/02/archstone-buys-potrero-site.html

For reference:

http://www.dbarchitect.com/images/dynamic/slideshow_images/image/20311_2011-07-27_16th_7th_corner.slideshow_main.jpg
Source: http://www.dbarchitect.com/

http://www.dbarchitect.com/images/dynamic/slideshow_images/image/20311_2011-07-27_16th_and_connecticut.slideshow_main.jpg
Source: http://www.dbarchitect.com/

Daggett Place is lower center just west of the freeway (280)...

http://www.dbarchitect.com/images/dynamic/slideshow_images/image/5464-09_copy.slideshow_main.jpg
Source: http://www.dbarchitect.com/

For more renderings and information:
http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/99/Daggett%20%20Place.html

[1977]

Actually, if you go here (http://digital.bizjournals.com/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=c09F12Yp7y0R&EID=c76d3bc5-c588-4da4-a86c-8ddfa5bd8f86&skip=) and flip to page 4 you can read the article about Daggett Place.

[patriotizzy]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6107978405_1d6507fb69_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/patriotizzy/6107978405/)
Mission Bay Construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/patriotizzy/6107978405/) by patriotizzy (http://www.flickr.com/people/patriotizzy/), on Flickr

Took this yesterday, September 2nd. Shot is from AT&T park, during the Giants game.

[peanut gallery]

Very nice, patriotizzy (can I call you Izz? :) ). Shows very clearly how Madrone will help break-up the tabletop effect south of the channel. Can't wait to see the glass on this side.

[patriotizzy]

Very nice, patriotizzy (can I call you Izz? :) ). Shows very clearly how Madrone will help break-up the tabletop effect south of the channel. Can't wait to see the glass on this side.

Thank you! All my friends call me Iz, so yes that's fine :P

[timbad]

a few updates from around the horn...

first, the plantings have been going in steadily in the median of the connector road from Seventh to the roundabout. here looking east:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6118982453_5db32e0453_b.jpg

and back west-southwest:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6118991781_78c21e23cf_b.jpg

someday all that dirt in the foreground will be planted as well, but I keep having to remind myself that that's probably not so soon. I don't think it is part of the current project - my guess is the park parcels (mainly P2, but maybe also P8 and P9) will all be done at once, and they will at least need to remove the two warehouse-y buildings that are occupying part of P2 (and block 12) for that. if I remember right, in an earlier post we speculated that that would happen in early 2013, since that was the slated construction start of one of the block 12 projects.

here, looking southeast, you can sort of make out the roundabout and its central circle. they were digging and dumping dirt on the east side of the circle 'behind' the low curving wall that divides it in two unequal parts, and in the distance I think you can make out that there are trees waiting in the wings in the distance. you can also see one of the buildings they will need to remove to make room for the park and the housing for block 12 (I'm leaving this pic and the next at original size because I think otherwise it is hard to make anything out):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6119033647_4f0a8c0f64_o.jpg

on the opposite side, looking north from the end of Owens, where they have now poured the concrete base for the road:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6118985853_ac145440f8_o.jpg

and over on Nelson Rising Lane behind Rock Hall and the neurosciences building, they have poured the north sidewalk and are getting ready for the southside one:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6118984301_71de548b18_b.jpg

so far I haven't seen any evidence of work on the west side pedestrian promenade that I think I remember from renderings, but that's probably because they still need the area for construction staging.

here's a shot of Madrone from Terry François Blvd:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6119532862_99198c82ef_b.jpg

... and a closer-up:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6118989885_3ea85c0624_b.jpg

[CyberEric]

Is Madrone topped out? I hope it gets a little taller so it looks a little less stubby.

[peanut gallery]

If not, it's very close. Counting floors, it looks to me like they're all in place (14 levels with balconies). There could be some superstructure for the mechanical shrouds but I think that's the roof at the top of timbad's latest shots.

[WildCowboy]

Sales underway at Madrone, with 15 contracts written so far.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2011/09/bosas-madrone-open-for-business-in.html

[1977]

I saw on the evening news that the new police headquarters, just north of Madrone, had a groundbreaking ceremony today. Dirt is flying in Mission Bay!

[timbad]

I saw on the evening news that the new police headquarters, just north of Madrone, had a groundbreaking ceremony today.

wow, I know these groundbreakings are often just ceremonial and that real construction comes some time later, but I thought that thing was still a couple years off! that's a nice sign that things will be happening there though, for sure. I'll try to wander over there this weekend and see if there is anything to see.

[WildCowboy]

Terrific news. Based on this page (http://sfearthquakesafety.org/the-bond/public-safety-building/), construction starts next month with substantial completion set for March 2014!

Edit: Here (http://sfearthquakesafety.org/wp-content/uploads/PSB_Public-Safety-Building-Townhall-Presentation-6-30-11.pdf) is a PDF presentation from June showing a November start for excavation and shoring. Foundation and structural work begins next April.

[1977]

Terrific news. Based on this page (http://sfearthquakesafety.org/the-bond/public-safety-building/), construction starts next month with substantial completion set for March 2014!

Edit: Here (http://sfearthquakesafety.org/wp-content/uploads/PSB_Public-Safety-Building-Townhall-Presentation-6-30-11.pdf) is a PDF presentation from June showing a November start for excavation and shoring. Foundation and structural work begins next April.

Great find. Great news!

[peanut gallery]

Excellent! There will be plenty to keep timbad's shutter clicking for a long time.

SocketSite (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/09/mission_bay_public_safety_building_officially_breaks_gr.html) has some nice renderings that I hadn't seen before:
http://www.socketsite.com/sf%20PSB%20Detail.jpg

A couple more at the link.

[peanut gallery]

Here's another one I pulled off the city's earthquake safety website (http://sfearthquakesafety.org/the-bond/public-safety-building/):

http://sfearthquakesafety.org/wp-content/uploads/PSB_DD-rendering_Soth-Plaza-on-China-Basin-St.jpg

You get a little more detail on the shroud-like structure that wraps over the building. There are many more openings in it than I realized before.

[peanut gallery]

Shoot, didn't realize that would appear so large. If it's too big let me know, and I'll remove the image and just put the link.

[viewguysf]

Shoot, didn't realize that would appear so large. If it's too big let me know, and I'll remove the image and just put the link.

Looks great on my iPad--glad to see this one getting under way!

[timbad]

thought I would post a few 'before' pics of the old fire station and the future public safety building lot.

here looking east down the narrow street (China Basin? I always forget) that separates the parcel from Madrone. you can see the green wooden fence surrounding what will be the little public courtyard at the corner:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6135458996_c3c291d238_b.jpg

here looking south:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6134912141_b0a12da19e_b.jpg

and a couple shots of that quirky remnant of old Mission Bay that will soon disappear: the stub of old Fourth Street, which used to continue along the path it takes perpendicular to Market St, running into, and crossing, Third at an angle.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6135463106_d17cf4a5b4_b.jpg

here the old alignment is clearer, looking back northwest toward the Fourth St Bridge:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6135457118_ba4f90f46b_b.jpg

[timbad]

the hospital's frame continues to grow by leaps and bounds (as seen from the roof of the South St Garage):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6135597350_33e6686b9f_b.jpg

... and is starting to add to the view south down Fourth St:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6135047425_2c522769e9_b.jpg

Nelson Rising Lane's new block is taking form (glimpsing between the Diller Cancer Center and UCSF dorms). can't tell from this shot, but workers were still active underground behind the neurosciences building today, and you can see that work is still going on behind the CVRB:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6135048267_d0745b4cbe_b.jpg

(oh, and I noticed this evening that the sidewalk lamps on the new section work.)

and I'm not sure exactly what it does (holds moisture in?), but the plantings over in the northeast corner have gotten a thin black blanket that they poke through:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6135046035_9f0d920d78_b.jpg

[HarshLiving]

The black sheet is a weed blocker.
and I'm not sure exactly what it does (holds moisture in?), but the plantings over in the northeast corner have gotten a thin black blanket that they poke through:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6135046035_9f0d920d78_b.jpg

[timbad]

:previous: thanks HL

can anyone say block 3? this morning I noticed through the gloom that test piles are being driven there too, after weeks of inactivity at neighboring block 2:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6149092569_3bcafdaaa9_b.jpg

and, the mural is coming along behind Crescent Cove (I'm likin it :tup:):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6149644452_b08d9272c7_b.jpg

I will be away for a couple weeks, and will be excited to see what's changed when I get back!

[peanut gallery]

Yay for more action at the northern end of MB! And that mural turned out great.

[1977]

More great news out of Mission Bay. Thanks Timbad! Although, I'm a little confused - do we have a rendering of Block 3? Too many projects! :tup: I skimmed older pages but couldn't find one.

[peanut gallery]

I really like this proposal just a couple blocks down Third. From SocketSite (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/09/six_stories_and_106_rental_units_at_2121_third_street_a.html):

http://www.socketsite.com/2121%203rd%20Street%20Rendering.jpg

Currently a commercial fueling and storage facility adjacent to the 20 units at 700 Illinois, and stretching from Illinois to Third, as proposed a six-story, 68-foot building consisting of approximately 106 rental units and 80 parking spaces would rise at 2121 Third Street.

It's just the one on the right. The building on the corner is already built.

[WildCowboy]

More great news out of Mission Bay. Thanks Timbad! Although, I'm a little confused - do we have a rendering of Block 3? Too many projects! :tup: I skimmed older pages but couldn't find one.

Looks like this page (http://www.cadreas.com/projects/556?page=inspirations) has some renderings of Block 3 West.

http://www.cadreas.com/system/inspirations/photos/8999/large/382-20NorthElevationRendering.jpg?1314651996

http://www.cadreas.com/system/inspirations/photos/9000/large/382-20WestElevationRendering.jpg?1314652000

[1977]

Thanks WildCowboy!

[peanut gallery]

A little more on Block 3. First, this is just the west end of the lot. The east end is still owned by the Redevelopment Agency (as far as I can tell anyway) and is slated for 97 affordable rental units. The west end is being built by Urban Housing Group who developed neighboring Strata. Here's a description from the Redevelopment Agency's website (http://www.sfredevelopment.org/index.aspx?page=127):

The project will consist of market rate rental units.

The project will be built as two (2) stories of Type I construction consisting of a parking garage, retail space, residential lobbies and residential units. Above this podium will be an additional five (5) stories of residential units built with metal framing, Type III construction. There will be 147 apartments, 5,000sf of common area amenities and approximately 9,000sf of retail space. It is anticipated that the foundation will be designed as a pile system.

I read elsewhere that there will also be 147 parking spots. 1:1 parking surprises me considering it's right on the T-Third line. The project also includes 15 bicycle parking spaces. That's seven more than are required, but just doesn't sound like very many.

[1977]

Some new renderings of Block 2:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306790_238885749488240_221506174559531_743969_6504763_n.jpg
Source:http://www.facebook.com/ankrommoisan

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306790_238885752821573_221506174559531_743970_7286981_n.jpg
Source:http://www.facebook.com/ankrommoisan

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306790_238885759488239_221506174559531_743971_1353740_n.jpg
Source:http://www.facebook.com/ankrommoisan

[CyberEric]

Looks pretty nice, thank you!

[peanut gallery]

I like it too. Thanks for finding those, 1977.

[Illithid Dude]

I love it. From an urban standpoint, it is perfect. Dense, urban, and a tram (or MUNI- whatever) line in front! I wish all cities in the U.S. were like this.

[sahran]

Guys,
I am very happy to report that Block 2 had its ground breaking last Wednesday and there is some serious dust flying now. Here are a few images that I took yesterday 09/27/11. I live in Mission Bay so I'll make sure to update with photos on a regular basis. :cheers:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/68042065@N02/6192195905/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68042065@N02/6192712752/in/photostream

[peanut gallery]

Hello sahran, and welcome to the forum! I look forward to your updates. Unfortunately, your photos aren't appearing. The URLs for them seem to lead to a Gmail account. It usually works best if you can first upload them to a free photo sharing site like Flickr or ImageShack, then use the URLs they provide for your photos. Let me know if you need any help with that.

[sahran]

Thanks Peanut,
Its exciting watching Mission Bay transform into a connected neighborhood on a daily basis. I made the changes you suggested. Let me know if you can view images.

Thank you

[peanut gallery]

Great, now you can get the URL of the actual photo:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/6192712752_b6727e2098_b.jpg

Rather than the Flickr page it appears on:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68042065@N02/6192712752/in/photostream

Add the tags, and voila:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/6192712752_b6727e2098_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6192195905_3bbe967d05_b.jpg

You can get the photo's URL by selecting "View all sizes" under "Actions" then right-clicking (or ctrl-click on a Mac) on the image to "Copy image address."

Hope this helps! And thanks for sharing your photos. It is fun watching that whole area transform. Must be extra interesting for you since you live there. As a resident, has it hit the critical mass to feel like a real neighborhood yet? Or does more of the 4th St retail and other northern developments need to happen first?

[sahran]

It is especially exciting to be living in an area that continuously is improving on a monthly basis and is trending upwards. It still feels like an area more so than a walk-able neighborhood. I think, at the moment, the phrase "urban prairie" coins it well. Walking Mission Bay, you'll see great lots with panoramic views but then you'll also see surface parking lot after lot with weeds growing out of control. I do think though with Blocks 2,3,11,5 &13either already in the works or in the works soon, that in the next two years, Mission Bay will feel much more like a neighborhood. Can't wait!

[timbad]

welcome sahran! it will be great to have someone else in the neighborhood uploading images as things progress. :tup:

I've just come back from a trip, so am catching up on things... thanks as always, peanut and WC, for the info and pointers to more.

took a brief walk around yesterday to see where things stood... first was excited to see that the asphalt on block 2 had been scraped up, in a sign of new activity, as sahran alluded to with the news of the groundbreaking there. at least from the renderings, I like the Third St (east) project better than the Fourth St side (which is too bad), but I will just be happy to get something up there - I think it will be significant in changing perception of the area south of the creek into one of neighborhood.

(these pics were taken mostly before the morning clouds had burned off, so things will look a little gloomy)

this is looking basically west from Third:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6203609833_077da32ff6_b.jpg

and this looking northwest, showing the pile-driving activity on block 3 (west) off to the left, and block 2 in the distance. I hadn't realized when the driving started on 3 that it was limited to the western half of the lot.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6203606637_5f14826472_b.jpg

[timbad]

I was eager to see more change than there was at the northwest roundabout area, but things are coming along in any case. some planting has started in the roundabout itself, including a semi-circle of trees (looking southeast-ish):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6204120984_54327f648d_b.jpg

... and, on the Owens (south) side, more planting has gone in in the other median approach sections, as well as sidewalk trees along Owens. not sure if it can be made out in this size of photo, but it looked like ground-lighting had also been installed for the trees in the roundabout:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/6204118614_c828ee55c5_b.jpg

and, meet the latest section of new street for MB: the block of Nelson Rising Lane behind the neurosciences building had its fence along Fourth removed and it looked like they were just carrying out some final surface work before they open it completely.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6204100080_707dd08edf_b.jpg

the fence blocking off the section of the lane behind the CVRB had also been taken down, so it seems the work there is wrapping up after many months. one more little piece of MB we can almost check off. :)

at the hospital site, there was noticeable evidence of the parking garage coming out of the ground (I assume that is what I was seeing). this is the view looking south from Owens across Sixteenth:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6203584557_c1f6a03279_b.jpg

I wasn't able to grab a screenshot, but you can always take a better look using the site webcam (http://www.onsiteview.com/ucsfmedcenter/), too. to pan over to the garage you may have to take control of the camera using the button in the lower-right-hand corner.

and, as if someone were slowly filling a graduated beaker with some glowing-blue-hued liquid, the glass continues to fill in, floor by floor, over at Madrone. looks like they are working on the roof stuff now, so certainly topped out:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/6203588317_f54793ef8e_b.jpg

can't see in this shot, but from closer-up the framing around the windows looked gray to me, so I'm a little concerned Madrone won't be as bright-looking as the models I've seen of it, where the overall impression was of a white building. we'll see.

[ElDuderino]

:previous: I'm interested to see how the glass looks once they remove that protective covering. I too hope it turns out lighter than it currently appears. If the glass is clear it would certainly appear lighter on sunny days.

[WildCowboy]

Topping out ceremony (http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/10/10763/ceremony-mark-milestone-mission-bay-medical-center) for the UCSF hospitals is scheduled for Monday.

[peanut gallery]

Steel buildings go up so fast.

[LWR]

:tup: Hummm... and here I am, stuck at the Parnassus campus! At least I know that Radiation Oncology will have a special place after all is operational.

[timbad]

after not being able to check for a couple weeks, I wandered around a little this afternoon...

in the northwest corner of MB, I didn't note as much progress as I had hoped to see. one reason may be that for some reason, they have had to tear out half of the bed of the road (in both directions) that links the roundabout to Seventh. not sure what went wrong there:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6252500391_f2bfe26804_b.jpg

one new thing, tho, was they they had begun to erase the last traces of the intersection of Sixth and Channel. there is no chain-link fence or curb next to the fire hydrant in the foreground anymore...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6252502751_1bb9f101c0_b.jpg

seen from the Owens approach on the south side, not much has changed since the last photo posted from this location (but at least now you get a sunnier view of it)... you can barely see that the roundabout itself has had its planting completed:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6252504869_c29b1406cb_b.jpg

... and they have filled in the cobbles at the base of the street-trees, on the east side, next to where the public school will someday be...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6252508265_c8325a518e_b.jpg

... and on the west next to the future playing field:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6252510889_8ac1160f6e_b.jpg

[timbad]

over at blocks 2 and 3, also not too much change... block 2's gravel now has sprouted little neon pink tufts, but I didn't see anything else different (this is looking roughly east from Fourth, Channel St angling off from the left):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6252568767_be5137016b_b.jpg

again looking east, this will be the passageway between the two blocks (2 on the left). I'm not sure if it will be pedestrians-only, but I'm pretty sure it is not intended to be a fully-functional street - alley maybe?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6252571121_e3beba21cd_b.jpg

and looking northwest, block 3 piles on the left:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6252572783_ee1de8e9cc_b.jpg

and looking south from Fourth and Channel:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6253104970_f15d52d4d8_b.jpg

[timbad]

maybe it's just me, but they don't seem to be getting that glass in at exactly a lightning pace:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6253144284_3afb04cec6_b.jpg

here's the Third St side:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6253146722_dbd26e56b6_b.jpg

[timbad]

I really like this proposal just a couple blocks down Third. From SocketSite (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2011/09/six_stories_and_106_rental_units_at_2121_third_street_a.html):

.

It's just the one on the right. The building on the corner is already built.

on the back side (the Illinois side), this is what that parcel looks like currently. am looking forward to the new development!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6253192028_965cc37b02_b.jpg

something that doesn't get mentioned too much is how the development of Third St is also in many cases transforming Illinois. it might be hard to see, but this development will fill in the gap in this shot:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6253193398_64835eab4e_b.jpg