Sprawling San Francisco Apt. Complex May Densify

Plans are afoot to densify one of San Francisco's biggest, most suburban apartment complexes, the 152-acre Park Merced constructed in 1941. If the Planning Commission approves the plan, the existing housing could be tripled, adding 14,000 units.

February 7, 2011, 9am PST | Irvin Dawid

New homes and retail may replace some of the broad landscaping and surface parking that marks the suburban Park Merced complex in the southwest corner of the city. However, one aspect that the $1.2 billion project won't change is rent-control for current tenants.

"The broad, sprawling streets that promote driving now run counter to the city's transit-first policy, which promotes using transit, biking and walking, said Gabriel Metcalf, head of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, a pro-development think tank."

"Park Merced is part of the city that was conceived in an age when Americans hated urban complexity," he said. "What we've learned in the half-century since it was created is that traditional city patterns ... is the more sustainable way of living."

The plan needs approval of the city's planning Commission and county Board of Supervisors.

Thanks to SF Streetsblog

Full Story:

Park Merced: Lofty plan would revamp neighborhood

Published on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 in San Francisco Chronicle