SPUR Urban Enthusiasts Tour The East Cut

On Thursday, August 29, about thirty urban design and architecture enthusiasts attended the SPUR walking tour of The East Cut. San Francisco Planning Department’s Joshua Switzky presented the ideas behind the Transit Center District Plan and Transbay Redevelopment Plan that created the opportunity to create San Francisco’s first high-density, transit-rich district.

Also leading the tour, SF Chronicle’s very own John King offered historical context and his perspective on the transitional phase from planning to the built environment within Transbay, the Folsom Street corridor, and Rincon Hill (also known as The East Cut!). CBD Staff introduced the attendees to the improvements The East Cut is spearheading in the neighborhood, especially related to beautification and activation of the neighborhood’s evolving open spaces.

The walking tour began at the foot of Salesforce Tower, took the group throughout a variety of open spaces in The East Cut district, stopped by key locations such as the Klockars blacksmith shop built in 1912, a neighborhood staple, and Solaire’s privately-owned public open-space – a discrete yet rewarding space – and ended atop Salesforce Transit Center. Still years away from the completion of all residential, commercial, and green space developments, we notice a growing curiosity and interest about this neighborhood in transition, if you are interested in participating in similar tours of the neighborhood, retracing its history and evolution, get in touch at info@theeaastcut.org!

To see more photos of the tour, take a look at our Facebook photo album.