News

Apple Store to Relocate to Union Square Park

2013-05-18T00:21:55+00:00

Apple unveiled plans this week to relocate from its location on Stockton and Ellis to the former Levi's space at 300 Post St, directly on Union Square. With a sleek new design, the outlet will be 45 percent larger than the existing space and will add 50 jobs to the area. In a press release on the move, Mayor Ed Lee stated, "I can think of no better location for the world's most stunning Apple Store than right here in Union Square." For more details and initial design renderings, check out the coverage by ABC7, SFGate.com and the Examiner.

San Francisco Announces Pedestrian Safety Strategy

2012-12-20T20:07:56+00:00

Mayor Ed Lee joined the SFMTA, SFPD and the Department of Public Health on the Powell Street Promenade yesterday to discuss the upcoming Pedestrian Stragegy. Part of a plan that will be finalized early next year, the Stragegy aims to make all neighborhoods safer for pedestrians by increasing traffic enforcement and investing in projects that create more sidewalk space, like the Powell Street Promenade. By 2016, the strategy aims to reduce serious or fatal pedestrian injuries by 25 percent and by 2021 this number is targeted to fall by 50 percent.

For more infomation, read the full Press Release.

Union Square BID Merchants Donate 100 Thanksgiving Turkeys to SF Food Bank

2012-11-21T20:06:42+00:00

One hundred Thanksgiving turkeys are being donated by the Union Square Business Improvement District (BID) in response to an appeal made Monday by the San Francisco Food Bank to provide holiday meals for the needy. The turkeys will be delivered Wednesday morning by Union Square BID staff to the Food Bank’s San Francisco warehouse on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Our merchants and property owners heard about the appeal and immediately wanted to help,” said Karin Flood, executive director, Union Square BID. “It’s heartwarming to see the Union Square community come together to make a difference.”

The nonprofit USBID consists of property owners in a 27-block area around Union Square in downtown San Francisco. The Union Square BID’s goal is to enhance and promote the Union Square neighborhood for locals, visitors and tourists through maintenance and public safety measures, marketing, advocacy, beautification and capital improvement programs. Working hand-in-hand with the City, the Union Square BID is committed to ensuring Union Square remains a world-class destination as well as a safe and vibrant community for those who live and work here.

Energy Performance Benchmarking

2012-10-26T16:55:12+00:00

To encourage the efficient use of energy in commercial buildings, owners of non-residential buildings must obtain annual energy efficiency audits and annually measure and disclose energy performance using Energy Star Portfolio Manager. This ordinance is already in effect for all buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. Beginning on April 1, 2013, all buildings larger than 10,000 square feet must perform online benchmarking. Public disclosure for all buildings does not go into effect until April 1, 2014.

For more information, please consult this overview provided by the Department of the Environment.

For help with compliance, contact your PG&E account representative at 1-800-468-4743

ADA Access Improvements for Small Businesses

2012-10-20T00:00:52+00:00

To reduce drive-by ADA lawsuits and encourage compliance to ADA regulations, commercial landlords leasing properties to small businesses for use as public accommodations must either make any necessary improvements so that the property meets all applicable construction-related accessibility standards, OR provide notice to small business tenants of any deficiencies and include such notice in any new or amended leases.

The requirements in the legislation related to commercial leases take effect in two stages. For commercial rental property of 5001-7500 sq. feet, the ordinance applies to these leases beginning January 1, 2013. For commercial rental property of 5000sq feet or less, the ordinance applies to these leases beginning June 1, 2013. There is one provision in the legislation related to priority building permit processing for accessibility improvements, and that will commence November 1, 2012.

For further details, please consult the full text of the legislation.

New Stores on the Square

2012-10-02T16:36:50+00:00

The Nob Hill Gazette highlights new stores opening in Union Square this Fall, as well as what's in store for Central Subway construction in the coming months.

Holiday Ice Rink Returns to Union Square this November

2012-09-13T21:22:07+00:00

Union Square's iconic Holiday Ice Rink kicks off its fifth season on November 7. With the rink open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. throughout the season, there will be plenty of opportunity to glide across the ice with family and friends. Read the press release for full details on the rink.

Hours: Daily 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31)

Ticket Prices:

Regular Admission: $10

Children 8 & under: $6

Ice Skate & Hockey Skate Rentals: $5

**Advance tickets go on sale Monday, October 15 here.

Union Square at the Center of Fashion’s Night Out

2012-09-05T20:31:42+00:00

Fashion's Night Out 2012 is just around the corner and Union Square is the center of it all in SF. Check out all the local coverage we’ve been getting and be sure to stop by to enjoy an evening of fashion, refreshments and fun.

Bicycle Access Plan

2012-09-04T21:03:15+00:00

If the owner, lessor, or manager of a building wishes to prescribe specific details and limitations to bicycle access to their building, San Francisco's new on-site bicycle parking ordinance requires a Bicycle Access Plan to be completed and made available to all tenants. A copy of your Bicycle Access Plan will also be kept on file with the Department of Environment.

Please click here to access the Bicycle Access Plan form.

For a list of frequently asked questions, see this fact sheet provided by BOMA and the SF Bicycle Coalition.

For more specific details about property owner/manager exemptions, see the full text of the new law here.

The Bicycle Parking Ordinance states that owners/managers of commercial buildings must, at tenant's request, either allow bicycles to be brought into the tenant's space without restriction or into an on-site bike room for tenant employees only, OR may restrict bicycle access to the building based on specific restrictions, OR may deny bicycle access to the building if secure bicycle storage is available within 750 feet of the building.

Sidewalk City Codes

2012-08-23T23:46:46+00:00

Are your sidewalks up to city code? By law, the property owner or the ground-floor tenant of any building immediately adjacen to the sidewalk is responsible for keeping it clean and free of litter. Consult this handy guide published by DPW to make sure your sidewalks meet the city standards for cleanliness and safety.