The Excelsior Action Group has set out to refurbish the Chronicle Newsstand Kiosk at the intersection of Mission Street and Geneva Avenue in the Excelsior. Architecture for Humanity is designing the Kiosk concepts; click here to view their project page for the Kiosk. EAG is currently investigating the feasibility of not only revitalizing the kiosk, but also relocating it to a more beneficial site.
This is what the new kiosk will replace on the corner of Geneva and Mission.
Over 400 community members voted for their favorite of three Conceptual Design Options! The Capsule was the overwhelming frontrunner. Architecture for Humanity will work to develop this concept into a final design.
The Chronicle News Kiosk
This project seeks to redesign, retrofit, and reactivate a blighted old news kiosk at the nexus between the Excelsior and Crocker Amazon neighborhoods. Historically, the news kiosk was a bustling center for current events and communication on the commercial corridor. With the decline of print media in the past decade, the news kiosk has fallen into disrepair. It now stands closed six and a half days a week, attracting graffiti, grime, and negative attention from community members who call for its complete removal. The project will retrofit the news kiosk with a community vetted and more attractive design, and activate the newly constructed kiosk up for community use during the week. EAG is also investigating the feasibility of relocating the kiosk to a new site that will best serve the community at large. Check back for more information to come as the project develops...
Four potential community uses have been identified through surveys of community members:
Four potential community uses have been identified through surveys of community members:
1. Community Post: the structure will be used to display flyers, announcements, and other information about community events and news.
2. Community Map: the structure will be used to display way-finding signage and an in-depth map that identifies local resources such as parks, playgrounds, non-profits, schools, and the Excelsior Branch Library.
3. CBO Outpost: the structure will be used by community-based organizations including non-profits and neighborhood associations to post a staff member who will inform the public about resources and services. This community use will specifically target the large population of elderly people in the Excelsior / Crocker Amazon who do not have internet access.
4. Community Business Incubator: the structure will provide a physical location from which local entrepreneurs without the capital for their own storefront can sell their wares, develop clientele, and market their products. Preference will be given to entrepreneurs from 94112 / 94134. The kiosk will provide a creative and interactive space for local entrepreneurs to share their work with the community and grow their businesses to a point of self-sufficiency.
2. Community Map: the structure will be used to display way-finding signage and an in-depth map that identifies local resources such as parks, playgrounds, non-profits, schools, and the Excelsior Branch Library.
3. CBO Outpost: the structure will be used by community-based organizations including non-profits and neighborhood associations to post a staff member who will inform the public about resources and services. This community use will specifically target the large population of elderly people in the Excelsior / Crocker Amazon who do not have internet access.
4. Community Business Incubator: the structure will provide a physical location from which local entrepreneurs without the capital for their own storefront can sell their wares, develop clientele, and market their products. Preference will be given to entrepreneurs from 94112 / 94134. The kiosk will provide a creative and interactive space for local entrepreneurs to share their work with the community and grow their businesses to a point of self-sufficiency.
Architecture for Humanity, San Francisco Chapter
The Chronicle Newsstand Kiosk is being designed pro bono by a dedicated team of architects from Architecture for Humanity's San Francisco Chapter. Architecture for Humanity San Francisco believes access to quality design is a right. We practice design activism by working collaboratively to engage individuals, non-profits, business and government to provide strategies and solutions for the built environment that become assets for the built environment. Learn more about AFHSF at: http://sanfrancisco.architectureforhumanity.org/
attend one of EAG's monthly Excelsior Beautification Committee meetings to find out more about this project
