Plans to Enliven the Pedestrian Experience Between Moscone Center and Union Square Park Take a Step Forward
Yerba Buena Partnership selects San Francisco-based Bionic to create a vision to transform four blocks critical to downtown’s comeback
San Francisco, Calif., January 30, 2025 — The Yerba Buena Partnership today announced that landscape architecture and urban design firm Bionic will lead efforts to reimagine the pedestrian experience between Moscone Center and Union Square Park, home to the premier arts, retail and hospitality districts of Yerba Buena and Union Square.
“San Francisco’s comeback starts downtown. And through this project, we are coming together across city government with the private sector to create exciting opportunities for residents and visitors to experience downtown again,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “I am excited to work with this group to reimagine this important corridor and continue to drive our city’s revitalization.”
The Yerba Buena and Union Square area is a destination for almost half of all visitors to San Francisco, home to half of the city’s hotel rooms, over 3.5 million square feet of retail space and renowned museums, galleries, theaters and performance venues that celebrate the city’s arts and culture. The Yerba Buena neighborhood, emanating from Yerba Buena Gardens, which includes Moscone Center, SFMOMA and other iconic attractions, boasts the highest concentration of museums, galleries and public art in the city. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
“For many visitors who walk this four-block stretch, it is their first and lasting impression of the city. Downtown continues to reinvent itself and this is another positive step toward bringing in new business and supporting existing ones,” said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose district includes Yerba Buena. “A safe and thriving corridor will enrich the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.”
"This critical work will help better connect two of downtown's premier destinations so that all can enjoy Union Square and Yerba Buena. Projects like this will help revitalize our downtown and showcase our incredible hospitality and cultural institutions to residents and visitors alike,” said San Francisco Supervisor Danny Sauter, whose district includes Union Square.
“A visitors’ experience in any city is formed when they walk our streets and take in the spaces around them. The activity around them — architecture, smells, the person's sense of safety — are all factors that make a difference for someone who will come back and one who won't,” said City Administrator Carmen Chu. “That's why I am so excited about this initiative to reimagine the pedestrian experience between Moscone Convention Center, Yerba Buena and Union Square. Investments like these and attention to the details of a visitor's experience are critical if we want to be successful in growing economic activity in San Francisco.” The City Administrator’s Office oversees management and operations of the city-owned Moscone Center.
“New thinking and investments like this are focused on reshaping downtown into a thriving and economically diverse urban center that is active at all hours," said Ken Bukowski, Director of the San Francisco Convention Facilities Department. “Moscone Center fuels the success of the area’s local businesses and cultural organizations and is integral to the city’s revitalization.”
“A reimagined connection from Moscone Center to Union Square Park will roll out the red carpet for visitors and residents to create safe, original and memorable experiences. The result will be an iconic and vibrant public realm to attract visitors, and support businesses, arts and cultural organizations," said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz. “Bionic’s local knowledge and experience are ideally suited to transform this important neighborhood connection and provide a boost for small businesses.”
San Francisco-based landscape architecture and urban design firm Bionic, known for inventive design in urban environments, will lead the community process and create a vision for the Moscone Center Pedestrian Corridor. The project will enhance the street experience and public realm along Fourth Street and Stockton from Howard Street to Geary Street. As experts in public space design, the firm's experience includes San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center, Eagle Plaza in SoMa, and Redwood Square in Sunnyvale. Bionic will partner with RSM Design, specialists in branding, wayfinding, and identity in retail and urban environments.
The plans are a collaborative effort spearheaded by the community benefit district Yerba Buena Partnership, in partnership with San Francisco’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD), Convention Facilities Department, Office of the City Administrator, and the Union Square Alliance.
“Union Square remains the heart of San Francisco, serving as a focal point for world-class events, groundbreaking art installations, new retail openings, and transformative public space improvements that invigorate the city culturally and economically. As we transition into the next chapter, our community requires a strong partnership with our neighbors, community partners, and City to move forward,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “With the recent approval of the contract for landscape architecture and urban design firm Bionic, the Moscone Center Pedestrian Corridor project will reimagine the connection between the critically important Moscone Center and Union Square Park, further solidifying this area’s role as a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike.”
“The streets between Union Square and Yerba Buena Gardens are busy and visible as San Francisco's most popular attractions,” said Bionic Founding Principal Marcel Wilson. “We’re excited to hear from the community and to create a signature San Francisco experience that connects these iconic downtown destinations.”
The Yerba Buena Partnership Board of Directors approved the selection of San Francisco-based Bionic earlier this week. In addition to community outreach, Bionic will apply the criteria in the Yerba Buena Partnership’s Yerba Buena Street Life Plan, created as a guide to help constituents and partners identify and prioritize improvements to the neighborhood’s public spaces, and reference other neighborhood plans.
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About Yerba Buena Partnership
Yerba Buena Partnership is a community-based nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life in the downtown San Francisco Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Partnership manages and maintains several blocks around Yerba Buena Gardens, encompassing roughly Second to Fifth and Market to Perry streets. The district boasts iconic destinations such as SFMOMA, YBCA, MoAD, Children’s Creativity Museum and Moscone Center, along with premier hotels, Academy of Art University, City College, and dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Yerba Buena is also located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District. The Partnership began implementing programs in 2009 involving its Clean & Safe Team, neighborhood marketing, public art projects and many other neighborhood improvement efforts. Learn more at www.YerbaBuena.org.