Niagara Avenue Sidewalk Planting

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí has partnered with Public Works to create a plan for a more pleasant and comfortable environment for all who walk, bike and live along Niagara Avenue. Through the addition of trees and plants, the completed project will ensure that pedestrians feel safe using the street and minimize congestion. The project is funded by Supervisor Safaí’s Office.

The Niagara Avenue Sidewalk Planting project will provide a safer and more pleasant environment for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and transit riders along this corridor. The project includes planting of trees and plants in sidewalk plots to improve walking and biking conditions and storm water management in the neighborhood. The “greening” of Niagara Avenue is a part of the Urban Forest Plan to bring the many benefits of trees and plants to more of the city’s neighborhoods.

The planting plan for Niagara Avenue has been reviewed by a senior landscape architect and the City Arborist and there is proposed a planting palette.  Some proposed plots will have trees and landscaping, some just trees, and some just landscaping. 

The tree and landscaping to be planted will be cared for and maintained by StreetTreeSF, the citywide street tree maintenance program, and by Public Works. There will be no cost to the residents of Niagara Avenue for the planting or maintenance of the trees or landscaping. 

Project Features

• 25 total street trees will be planted
• Where there is space, landscape plots will also be installed
• Some plots may not receive a tree due to utility conflicts (too close to a street light or sewer line)
• Plots on steep sloped areas will receive a small wood retaining wall

Location

Niagara Avenue, from Mission Street to Alemany Boulevard

Proposed Species

• Trees: Arbutus ‘Marina’
• Plants: dietes, dwarf agapanthus, dwarf flax 

Anticipated Work Locations and Schedule*

Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday. (Weekend work is allowed but not expected at this time.)

Traffic Impact: Traffic may be temporarily delayed at times as a result of intersection and lane closures necessary to perform the work. Streets will be posted 72 hours in advance of work, with “No Parking / Tow Away” signs to alert the public of the parking restrictions. Vehicles parked on the street during work hours will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

You may park in your drive way as long as your vehicle does not obstruct the public right of way along the flat part of the sidewalk. Access to sidewalks and driveways will be maintained at all times, however delays may be possible while crews create a path for your vehicle. Please allow extra travel time during project work.

Updates and Schedule Forecast*

• Week of June 4, 2018: Crews will begin planting of trees and landscaping.
• Week of May 29, 2018: Crews will prepare sites by installing redwood 2” X 12”s on the downhill side of slopes in front of 15 Niagara Ave through 53 Niagara Ave.
• Week of May 21, 2018: Crew will complete cutting and removing sidewalk concreate from the tree basin and landscaping plot locations. 
• Week of May, 14 2018: Test plot locations were found to be clear of utilities. Crews will demo-out all remaining planting locations and planting is anticipated to take place within the next few weeks.
• Week of May, 7 2018: Crews will demo-out and hand-dig planting location test plots to ensure that underground utilities are not an issue. Pending the discovery of any underground lines, crews will move on with scheduled planting work.
• Week of March 26, 2018: Underground Service Alert marked out utilities in and around proposed landscaping plots between Mission Street and Alemany Blvd.
• Week of March 19, 2018: Tree inspectors marked out proposed landscaping plots between Mission Street and Alemany Blvd. 

*Please note, schedules are subject to change due to rain, equipment breakdown, and/or unforeseen field conditions. Please see posted "No Parking" barricade signs for exact parking restrictions. Parking restrictions may vary per block.