Carolina Triangle
Reclaiming an illegally occupied triangle of public right-of-way at Channel and Carolina Streets, transforming it into green infrastructure with neighborhood amenities for CCA students and the Showplace Square community
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📍 Location
Intersection: Channel Street and Carolina Street
Neighborhood: Showplace Square / Design District, San Francisco
Adjacent to: CCA Campus, proposed Amazon warehouse, 100 Hooper PDR space
Distance from: Less than 1 mile from Chase Center and Oracle Park, 1000 feet from Mission Channel wastewater pump station
🌱 Project Overview
Carolina Triangle addresses an unusual urban condition: a triangular section of public right-of-way currently occupied by parked private vehicles and business use of what appears to be an "unaccepted street" not maintained by the city. This project proposes to reclaim this public space and transform it into a public space with green infrastructure and community amenities serving CCA students, nearby Live Oak School students at their new campus, and the broader Showplace Square community.
🤝 Supporters & Advocates
Lead Advocates: Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association, Alison Heath, Friends of Jackson Park, Green SF Now, Sierra Club SF Group
Key Stakeholders: California College of the Arts (CCA), Live Oak School, Amazon warehouse project, 100 Hooper PDR tenants
Primary Contact: Potrero Boosters
💰 Potential Funding Sources
Developer Contributions: Improvement fees from adjacent Amazon warehouse development
City Programs: SFPUC Green Infrastructure Capital Fund, DPW street improvement programs
State Funding: California Urban Greening Program
Private: CCA partnership, local business contributions
🗺️ Site Location Map
Location: Triangle between Channel Street and Carolina Street
Context: Showplace Square neighborhood, less than a mile from Chase Center and Giants ballpark
Interactive map showing Carolina Triangle location in Showplace Square / Design District, near major sports venues and waterfront.
🎯 Why This Location Needs Action
- Public Right-of-Way Recovery: Currently occupied by illegal encroachments including shacks and private vehicle parking on public land
- Unaccepted Street Status: Appears to be an "unaccepted street" - public right-of-way not maintained by the city, creating enforcement challenges
- Student Safety & Amenities: Serves CCA campus immediately adjacent and new Live Oak School campus nearby
- Development Opportunity: Adjacent Amazon warehouse development provides leverage for improvement fees and coordinated planning
- Waterfront Proximity: 1000 feet from Mission Channel wastewater pump station, opportunity for stormwater management coordination
- Neighborhood Equity: Showplace Square / Design District lacks green space despite proximity to major destinations
🚧 What is an "Unaccepted Street"?
An unaccepted street is public right-of-way that exists on paper but has not been formally accepted by the city for maintenance. These streets create unique challenges:
- Public but Unmaintained: The land is public right-of-way, but the city hasn't taken responsibility for upkeep
- Enforcement Gap: As seen here, DPW's reluctance to enforce against illegal encroachments creates opportunities for private appropriation
- Transformation Opportunity: Converting unaccepted streets to accepted parkland or green space can resolve ambiguous status
- Community Benefit: Formalizing these spaces benefits everyone by creating clear ownership, maintenance responsibility, and public access
The Carolina Triangle represents a clear case where public right-of-way should be reclaimed and transformed into community-serving green infrastructure rather than remaining in legal limbo.
📈 Current Status
Phase: Coalition Building and Negotiation
Next Steps: Formalize community coalition, seek matching funding from Amazon, coordinate design that balances green space with vehicle access, develop enforcement timeline for clearing illegal encroachments
Timeline: TBD
Planning Context: This project is included in the Showplace Square Open Space Plan (updated 2021)
📸 Project Gallery
