Yerba Buena Gardens, Moscone Transit Center Improvements Complete

SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrans and the city of San Francisco announced last week the completion of construction on the South of Market Transit Gardens Connection Project in the Moscone convention district.

The $1.8 million Clean California project features new native landscaping and vibrant art that aims to revitalize public spaces along 4th Street between Yerba Buena Gardens and the Moscone Transit Center, Caltrans said on Thursday.

The project was made possible through Gov. Gavin Newsom's Clean California initiative, a $1.2 billion multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to improve public areas.

The beautification effort on 4th Street between Howard and Folsom streets involved the introduction of 8,600 native and drought-resistant plants and flowers, including manzanitas, yarrows, California fuchsias, Bee's Bliss sage, agaves and aeoniums planted in front of the Yerba Buena Gardens complex across from the newly opened Moscone Transit Center.

According to Caltrans, the improvements made to Yerba Buena Gardens have transformed the once-iconic landmark which had fallen into neglect over the years. Two local artists designed a pair of 55-foot vinyl murals that adorn the concrete walls as a backdrop to the newly landscaped embankment.

"Clean California continues to act as a catalyst for transforming underutilized locations throughout the state into beautiful public places worthy of inspiring pride throughout the community," said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares in a statement. "The SoMa project provides a much-needed place for people to connect, and it also celebrates the cultural influences that give this neighborhood its identity."

For her part, Caltrans Bay Area District Director Dina El-Tawansy said the SoMa Transit Gardens Connection project demonstrates the "visionary spirit and transformational force" of the Clean California initiative. She added that the once-barren Yerba Buena Gardens have been revitalized into an "artistic, beautifully-landscaped gathering space" thanks to the local grant.

Two Bay Area artists, Ismael Vega Cruz and Dee Jae Pa'este, designed the two 55-foot murals. Vera Cruz's mural "Sanctorum" tells a story of invoking freedom, equity, revolution and growth, while Pa'este's "Woven Kultura" mural features indigenous lands, Filipino immigrant history and the neighborhood underground music scene.

"Block-by-block we're working together as a community to improve our downtown neighborhoods and demonstrate how our creative spirit ignites positive change," said San Francisco City Administrator Carmen Chu.

Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans has removed an estimated 1.9 million cubic yards of litter from state highways.

The program has created more than 4,000 jobs that have helped Californians overcome barriers to employment, including 357 people who had been experiencing homelessness, and drawn more than 10,000 volunteers to events ranging from community cleanups to large debris collections for appliances, tires and mattresses.

Earlier this month, Governor Newsom announced another round of Clean California grants to cities and local agencies throughout the state to remove litter, beautify neighborhoods and transform public spaces into points of pride.

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