San Francisco officials have approved a plan to transform two blocks of SoMa alleys into a dedicated art corridor. The Minna Natoma Streetscape Project targets the area near the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, creating a direct, walkable connection between the Transbay Terminal and Yerba Buena Gardens.
The project focuses on underfoot installations, featuring 800 feet of brightly colored, inlaid asphalt patterns. Along with these pavement designs, the city will install custom street furniture, including unique benches, bollards, and bike racks, to make the area more inviting for pedestrians. Construction of the streetscape is expected to begin in the spring of 2027.
This $8.5 million initiative balances infrastructure and aesthetics. The budget covers necessary sewer and utility upgrades while dedicating funds for public art. Mayor Daniel Lurie stated that the project aims to turn standard commutes into more engaging experiences for local workers and visitors. Five artists were selected by a professional panel to design the corridor elements.
The new corridor builds on existing art installations in the district, such as the colorful wall paintings at the Academy of Art building on New Montgomery Street. Once finished in the summer of 2027, the art walk will provide a consistent visual path for people traveling from the museum's parking garage to the main entrance on Howard Street.