STREET MURAL FAQ
Answering the what, when, why, where, and who
WHY A STREET MURAL?
Art has a powerful psychological and community building effect. We believe a custom piece by a local artist in a novel format has the power to not just serve as a community asset and source of fun but also help us reimagine how our shared spaces can be enjoyed. The outline nature of the work also enables community engagement and chalking over time by kids or adults of all ages.
WHO IS AMOS GOLDBAUM?
Amos is an SF-based (Noe Valley-based actually) line-drawer, street peddler, and muralist based in San Francisco.
WHERE IS THE MURAL PLANNED?
As indicated in the aerial view on the homepage, the street mural is planned to fill the street surface between the parking lanes and stop street lettering between 24th and Elizabeth streets. The location, with its visibility and minor grade, was selected for its potential to benefit both residents and merchants.
WHAT IS THE PROJECT TIMELINE?
We are actively coordinating with stakeholders on the specific start date that ensures sufficient notice and avoids as many conflicts as possible, but in general:
First week of February: confirm neighbor readiness and footprint and consider power washing
Second week of February: chalk mural outline and begin paint installation. Amos likely to paint in clearly marked sections (~15x40 feet) over the course of 5-7 days.
Third week of February: depending on pace, weather and unexpected delays, painting could run over into this week.
WHAT KIND OF PAINT IS BEING USED?
A water-based acrylic latex paint that is low-VOC and that has grit mixed in to prevent slipping. The paint is fast drying (30-60 min to be dry to touch and able to drive on). Off-gasing will be minor given the outdoor ventilation and efforts will be made to not dispose of dirty water on the street.
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Non-toxic washable sidewalk chalk is also being used to outline the mural prior to painting.
I LIVE OR WORK BETWEEN 24TH AND ELIZABETH, HOW WILL THE MURAL INSTALLATION IMPACT ME?
Site preparation (washing and chalking) and installation (painting) are expected to take 5-10 days but we are committed to minimizing inconveniences. The 4 metered bays and all non-metered parking spaces will remain accessible. Impacts to driveway and delivery access may be impacted by a couple of hours at most, with safety cones setup to enable the driving and walking of people and goods to residences throughout. There will be volunteers (both community members and potentially an SFMTA staff member) on-site to answer questions and ensure limited disruption.
WHAT AREÂ SFMTA & DPW'S ROLES?
Friends of Slow Sanchez has been in active dialogue with both agencies and has secured informal support for the mural project. DPW confirmed no major street or sewer work is planned for the next 5 years. Similarly, SFMTA confirmed an official permit doesn't exist, and is therefore not required, for this type of project.
That said, SFMTA is independently considering transitioning the street to permanent slow street status and is launching a user survey of their own in early Feb. Contact info for the relevant SFMTA Program Manager can be found on the general FAQ page.
WHAT ABOUT GRAFFITI AND VANDALISM?
While we hate to see it, there's no surefire way or preventing it. Our best mitigation strategies are to 1) create a shared sense of ownership and accountability so that people likely to say something when they see something, and 2) to quickly and fully restore the work to deter future abuses.
WHO'S PAYING FOR THIS?
All direct outreach, design, installation, and maintenance costs for the mural are being covered by Friends of Slow Sanchez donations.
Official intersection signage or posting improvements will be covered by the SFMTA, as will any official outreach costs.
Municipal services like waste disposal and street cleaning will continue to be performed and paid for by their respective companies or agencies.
HOW WILL TRAFFIC BE IMPACTED?
Through traffic will remain restricted per Slow Street guidelines. Resident, delivery and emergency vehicle access shouldn't be significantly impacted due to the grid-based installation approach. At most a 15x40 foot section of the traffic lanes will be worked on at any given time. Furthermore, street cleaning and Recology collections shouldn't be impacted.
WHAT PERMITS AND APPROVALS ARE NEEDED?
There is no official permit for a street mural that doesn't require a lane closure or encrouches into metered parking but Friends of Sanchez has been in communication with SFMTA, DPW, the Supervisor's Office, the Noe Valley Association CBD, the Noe Valley Merchants Association, and the Parks Alliance, and all are supportive of the project.