Valencia Street Shared Spaces Continues February 5 – June 27

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Valencia Street Shared Spaces Continues February 5 – June 27

Small Businesses Given Boost by Limiting Cars Weekends Beginning This Friday

“Valencia Lights Project” Raising Funds for Beautification Effort 

2 February 2021 – San Francisco, CA:  Buoyed by positive response from shop owners and residents alike the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association is leaping into an expanded version of the COVID-induced Shared Spaces Program. Beginning this Friday, February 5 and continuing through June 27, on weekends Valencia Street will become a pedestrian only area to encourage retail and outdoor socially distant dining options.  Cars will be prohibited during this period in the following blocks of Valencia: 16^th to 17^th; 18^th to 19^th; 20^th to 21^st during the following times: Fridays 5pm to 9pm; Saturdays 12pm – 9pm; Sundays 12pm – 4pm. Vehicular traffic on the cross streets will not be impacted. Additionally, over the next few weeks, funds are being raised for the Valencia Lights Project whereby LED ambient string lights will be installed along Valencia from 14^th to 24^th Streets.

“We’re so excited to do something lasting and bright for our neighborhood, our residents, and our merchants,” said Jonah Buffa, co-owner of Fellow Barber and President of the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association. “Lighting up Valencia from end to end, from 14th to 24th street, for years, maybe even decades to come, will bring a sense of community and warmth we all need this winter and beyond as we re-emerge as a City.”

To pay for the project, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched, having raised over $ 17,000 already with another $ 23,000 needed so as to install the lights by late March or early April. The campaign link is: https://www.tinyurl.com/valencialights

“I’m so excited that the community will be able to enjoy all of the glory of Valencia street shared spaces and the potential it has to save the small businesses on our precious corridor once again,” said Manny Yekutiel, owner of Mannys and Valencia Corridor Merchants Association Board Member. “We need the love now more than ever.”

“We see this as a way to bring light back to the street to clear away the darkness,” said Buffa. “This will help create jobs and support the economic recovery of this important commercial corridor in the City. “

The Valencia Corridor Merchants Association is a member-operated neighborhood association including merchants in and around the Valencia Corridor. Our mission is to cultivate and beautify the corridor for the benefit of visitors, residents and merchants. Additionally, we endeavor to combine our voices and views toward the goal of maintaining the unique identity and independent spirit of the neighborhood.