San Francisco Bay Delta

Cesar Chavez Street Headwaters Pilot LID Project

The project on Cesar Chavez is the largest green street retrofit in San Francisco. It incorporates Low Impact Development (LID) features such as stormwater planters, run-off reducing improvements, and permeable concrete with traditional infrastructure upgrades along a mile-long corridor to improve water quality. The LID elements are part of a larger streetscape improvement project with a budget of $11,600,000. The overall project goal is to serve as a template to foster the wide-spread utilization of LID to significantly reduce pollutant contributions to the Bay from San Francisco’s combined sewer system.

Project Facts

Recipient: San Francisco Planning Department
Funding: $1,200,000 (non-federal match = $1,040,000)
Project Period: June 2010 – January 2015
Partners: San Francisco Department of Public Works, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Friends of the Urban Forest, Plant SF, CC Puede

Environmental Results Summary: Cesar Chavez Street Headwaters Pilot LID Project
OUTPUTS (Activities, efforts, and/or work product during project period)	OUTCOMES (Environmental results)
	*SHORT-TERM* (1-5 yrs)	*LONG-TERM* (5-20+yrs)
Identify locations for stormwater improvements, including where pavement can be removed and street trees planted Produce design specifications and model hydrologic benefits of project Develop policy regarding integration of LID into traditional grey sewer infrastructure projects Engage local community in greening efforts, through a partnership with the San Francisco-based nonprofit Friends of the Urban Forest Develop inter‐agency coordination and mobilization around integration of LID in streetscape improvements Foster synergistic relationships between LID‐related non‐profit organizations and City agencies	Reduced stormwater volume as a result of LID elements Reduced peak‐flow contribution as a result of LID elements Reduced pollutant load in stormwater from LID treatment along Cesar Chavez Street 7,300 sq/ft of vegetated sidewalk gardens installed by volunteers contributing 260 volunteer hours	Develop LID construction training modules, construction management protocols, and maintenance protocols for interagency projects incorporating LID Establish an initial LID monitoring program to help inform future design and performance assumptions for LID in San Francisco

Full List of Project Summaries