Looking east on Market Street from Eighth, 1941. Two thousand new apartments are currently being constructed where the old Crystal Palace Market and vacant lot were.
On Thursday, February 19 at 6 p.m., the venerable Mechanics’ Institute will present a double-barreled program on the past and future of Market Street, featuring the transportation policy director of SPUR, Ratna Amin, and Market Street Railway President Rick Laubscher.
All the details and signups are here.
Market Street Railway members, SPUR members, and Mechanic’s Institute members are free. Public tickets are $15. Note that we will check those who reserve seats as Market Street Railway members, but you can still join us in time if you’re not a member yet.
Rick will present photographs illustrating Market Street’s history as San Francisco’s main transportation and business artery, with commentary on the different eras the street went through, particularly the long-troubled, now resurgent mid-Market area. He’ll also sign copies of our guidebook, On Track, which will be available for sale at the event.
Ratna will outline the plans now under way to make traveling along Market Street safer and better. We expect a lively interchange with the audience as well.
If you’ve never visited the Mechanics’ Institute, it is worth the trip all by itself. Its building at 57 Post Street, designed by noted architect Albert Pissis (who created the classic Emporium facade on Market, among other works) opened in 1910 and has been faithfully preserved. Entering the chess room is like time travel.
Come join us February 19 at the Mechanics’ Institute.
BART Civic Center Station Construction at Market and 7th Streets, late 1960s.
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