Rendering of Walter U Lum Place open to traffic
The Transportation Authority Board approved the Walter U Lum Place Public Space Study Final Report at the July 8 meeting. The board will consider final approval during its July 22 meeting.
The Walter U Lum Place Public Space Study was requested by former District 3 Transportation Authority Board member Aaron Peskin to examine various scenarios for a people-first Walter U Lum Place, an alley that borders the west side of Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. The Transportation Authority led the project, with support from the Chinatown Community Development Center, SF Public Works, and the SFMTA.
The Walter U Lum Place Public Space Study responds to community visions for an urban design strategy that enhances pedestrian safety, connectivity, circulation, livability, and community identity. The final report recommends a design that advances a re-imagined public space, addresses trade-offs between pedestrian and loading access, and is compatible with the Portsmouth Square renovation.
In 2020, Transportation Authority staff completed the Portsmouth Square Community Based Transportation Plan to identify solutions to improve transportation safety and circulation around Portsmouth Square and enhance access to Chinatown as a whole. Study recommendations included improvements to Walter U Lum Place, such as widened sidewalks and a raised speed table to make the alleyway more of a shared space with low vehicle speeds.
The recommended design was developed with feedback from two rounds of community outreach and input from a seven-member steering committee. The design features:
- Widened, ADA-accessible sidewalk on the west-side of the alley
- Five-foot wide step next to sidewalk that can be used for planting or additional space for seating
- Modified, eight-foot-wide loading lane next to the curb
- Expanded, raised crosswalk at Clay Street
- Common paving materials and pattern with Portsmouth Square
- Poles or bollards that can be used for temporary street closures
- Arts, historical, and cultural opportunities through street furnishings
The planning-level cost estimate for detailed design and construction is $5.2 million. The Transportation Authority will collaborate with City agencies to identify funding for design and construction phases. Funding for detailed design must be secured by December 2025 in order to align with the Portsmouth Square renovation, which is expected to begin construction early next year.
View Walter U Lum Place Public Space Study Final Report (PDF)
Rendering showing Walter U Lum Place closed to traffic with a street festival.
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