As part of our Station Modernization effort, BART completed its modernization project at Balboa Park Station on November 2018. The goal of the project was to develop and prioritize potential station improvements to upgrade and modernize the station’s function, safety and security, capacity, sustainability, appearance, and improve the customer experience. BART partnered with the City and the community to develop a station area vision that will inform the modernization work.
The Plan positioned BART to partner and seek funding for implementation.
Balboa Park Plaza and Passenger Loading Improvements
BART worked with the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and the joint venture team of Mission Housing Development Corporation and the Related Companies of California on the development of the Balboa Park Upper Yard Affordable Housing (Upper Yard) Project and the redesign of the passenger loading area to include a new plaza.
Learn more about the housing project on BART’s Transit Oriented Development program page: www.bart.gov/about/business/tod/completed
Project Description
Courtesy of Mithun
Resulting from the station area visioning process with community, the redesigned passenger loading area and new plaza epitomizes the shared goals of creating better connections to transit and fostering a sense of place. These improvements will provide:
Better access to the BART station and passenger loading area; and Muni bus stops
- Safe, direct, and accessible path from the passenger loading area
- ADA accessible path from the plaza to address the slope along Geneva Ave
- A looped BART passenger loading area via San Jose Ave only to increase pedestrian safety
A pedestrian-friendly, multi-use plaza to foster community
- An integrated plaza with several points of connection
- Seating areas for transit customers, Upper Yard residents, and the general public
- Open space available for community activities to activate the space
Quality of life enhancements
- New lighting and security cameras in the plaza and along paths, station perimeter
- Tiered plaza design provides clear views in all directions
- New trees throughout plaza
Courtesy of Mithun
Courtesy of Mithun
Project Status
The Upper Yard housing project and the new plaza and passenger loading area are set to open in Summer 2023.
Funding
The plaza and passenger loading improvements project was funded by grants provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities and Infill Infrastructure Grant programs; the San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s Prop K Transportation Sales tax fund, and other sources.
Balboa Park Eastide Connection Project
BART worked on the Balboa Park Eastside Connection project, which is a multi-agency project including BART, SFMTA and SFCTA that will improve accessibility, convenience, safety, and security at the station.
Project Details
Project Goals
- Enhance Balboa Park Station to establish it as an inviting public space and community hub
- Modernize and update the physical condition of the station
- Ensure that the station reflects BART’s sustainability goals
- Improve the station’s access, capacity, and operations
- Support neighborhood vision and integrate an improved Balboa Park Station with community priorities
As part of our Station Modernization effort, BART is currently developing a comprehensive vision for this station as a gateway station. The goal of the project is develop a comprehensive vision to upgrade and modernize the station. The Vision is to modernize the station so that it demonstrates BART’s commitment to advancing transit ridership, improving the transit experience, enhancing the quality of life around the stations and meeting BART’s needs for the future. The station modernization revolves around the themes of:
Vibrancy– Reflect the energy of the surrounding community and enhance the station’s existing strengths
Connectivity– Strengthen multi-modal and universal access to the station and promote a safe and comfortable customer experience
Sustainability– Incorporate sustainable materials and technologies into the station to increase the life-cycle value of the station’s infrastructure and to conserve natural resources and protect the public investment
The improvements focus on increasing safety, capacity, sustainability, appearance, and enhancing the customer experience. In developing potential improvements for the station, BART has undertaken a planning process to:
- Identify existing station deficiencies
- Consider impacts of development and growth on station ridership
- Understand future access, capacity and operational issues
- Consider art & place-making improvements
- Coordinate conversation with stakeholders
- Engage the community to help identify and prioritize improvements
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