TransBay Transit Center San Francisco Update: May 13th - May 17th

This San Francisco TransBay Transit Center Update fatures the names First Street, Mission Street, and Natoma Street.

What they all have in common is they're San Francisco streets that are the focus of construction activity for the San Francisco TransBay Transit Center Project.

But you can also add Beale and Fremont Streets, and Howard Street to that list, as the reports of drilling, welding, and other work are below. Here's the news of construction work in progress, and to be expected, related to the San Francisco TransBay Transit Center Project between Friday, May 10, 2013 and Sunday, May 19, 2013.

10 Day Look Ahead: Construction Activities

Friday, May 10, 2013 – Sunday, May 19, 2013

This week at Transbay...

What to Expect This Weekend (5/11/13 – 5/12/13):

Eastern Transit Center Site (Between Beale and Fremont Streets): On Saturday, May 11 drilling and coring will be performed and there will be general surface excavation and welding of steel bracing scheduled on the day shift only for Saturday, May 11 between the hours of 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Fremont Street and exit the construction gate at Beale Street (between Mission and Howard Streets). This weekend there is no construction work scheduled Sunday, May 12.

Central Transit Center Site (Between Fremont and First Streets): This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Saturday, May 11 or Sunday, May 12.

Western Transit Center Site (Between First and Second Streets): This weekend there is general excavation clean-up work and welding of steel bracing scheduled on the day shift only for Saturday, May 11 between the hours of 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Sunday, May 12. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Howard Street (between First and Second Streets) and exit the construction gate at First Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Weekday Work (Monday 5/13/13 - Friday 5/17/13):

Night Shift:

Excavation and Internal Bracing Work:

Eastern Transit Center Site (Between Beale and Fremont Streets): This week both coring and surface level grout pumping will be performed during the night shift, with work scheduled to be performed 24 Hours with two shift work scheduled between the hours of 6:00AM and 6:00AM the next day. This week Welding of trestle steel and bracing is also scheduled on the night shift between the hours of 6:00AM-1:30 AM the next day. Excavation and trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:30 AM the next day. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Fremont Street and exit the construction gate at Beale Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Central Transit Center Site (Between Fremont and First Streets): This week excavation and trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:30 AM the next day. Welding cross lot steel bracing scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located at Fremont Street (between Mission and Howard Streets) and exit the construction gate at First Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Western Transit Center Site (Between First and Second Streets): This week excavation and trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:30 AM the next day. Welding cross lot steel bracing scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Howard Street (between First and Second Streets) and exit the construction gate at First Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Day Shift:

Excavation and Bracing/Below Grade Transit Center Construction:

The project's internal steel bracing, excavation and trucking of soils has become a 24 hour activity with excavation down to an average depth of 60 to 65 feet. The excavation progresses from the west transit center site to the eastern end for the new Transbay Transit Center building and will continue through early 2014. The western zone excavation and bracing is in progress with a target completion of mid 2013, the below grade contractor will soon start construction of the lower level concrete foundation. The central Transit Center Site internal steel bracing, excavation and trucking of soils is in progress and continues until the end of 2013. The eastern Transit Center Site construction access trestle, excavation and trucking of soils have commenced and will continue into early 2014.

Eastern Transit Center Site (Between Beale and Fremont Streets): This week both coring and surface level grout pumping will be performed during the night shift, with work scheduled to be performed 24 Hours with two shift work scheduled between the hours of 6:00AM and 6:00AM the next day. This week Welding of trestle steel and bracing is also scheduled on the night shift between the hours of 6:00AM-1:30 AM the next day. Excavation and trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:30 AM the next day. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Fremont Street and exit the construction gate at Beale Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Central Transit Center Site (Between First and Fremont Streets): This week excavation and trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:30 AM the next day. Welding cross lot steel bracing scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located at Fremont Street (between Mission and Howard Streets) and exit the construction gate at First Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Western Transit Center Site (Between Second and First Streets): Testing of Steel Micropiles, Welding cross lot steel bracing scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Trucking is scheduled from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 AM to 1:30AM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Howard Street (between First and Second Streets) and exit the construction gate at First Street (between Mission and Howard Streets).

Underground Utilities/Trenching Work:

Mission Street (Between Beale and Second Streets): There will be underground utilities work and traffic lane closures daily, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

What to Expect Next Weekend (5/18/13 – 5/19/13):

Eastern Transit Center Site (Between Beale and Fremont Streets): On Saturday, May 18 drilling and coring will be performed and there will be general surface excavation and welding of steel bracing scheduled two shifts for Saturday, May 18 between the hours of 6AM-11PM. Trucks will enter from the construction gate located on Fremont Street and exit the construction gate at Beale Street (between Mission and Howard Streets). This weekend there is no construction work scheduled Sunday, May 19.

Central Transit Center Site (Between Fremont and First Streets): This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Saturday, May 18. However; dependent on contractor progress excavation and the welding of bracing will be performed Saturday May 18, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Sunday, May 19.

Western Transit Center Site (Between First and Second Streets): This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Saturday, May 18. However; dependent on contractor progress the welding of bracing and the testing of steel micropiles will be performed Saturday May 18, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. This weekend there is no construction work scheduled for Sunday, May 19.

Detours, Street and Sidewalk Closures:

The following streets will be temporarily impacted due to project activities. So you can plan ahead, please review the affected streets below:

Beale Street (Between Mission and Howard Streets): Beale Street traffic may be impacted occasionally during construction with trucks exiting at the construction gates onto Beale Street. Construction flaggers will be assigned during peak ours to assist with traffic and pedestrians. Pedestrians will continue to use east sidewalk between Mission and Howard Streets. Pedestrians are urged to please use the crosswalks at the Mission and Howard Street intersection to safely cross.

Fremont Street (Between Mission and Howard Streets): Fremont Street traffic may be impacted occasionally during construction with trucks entering and exiting at the construction gates. Construction flaggers and SFPD 10B Officers will be assigned during peak hours to assist with traffic and pedestrians. Pedestrians will continue to use west sidewalk of the temporary bridge between Mission and Howard Streets. Pedestrians are urged to please use the crosswalks at the Mission and Howard Street intersection to safely cross. NOTE: The Fremont Street temporary bridge traffic signal will be activated mid block between Mission and Howard Streets at the Fremont Street Bridge and construction access trestle intersection mid May 2013.

First Street (Between Mission and Howard Streets): First Street traffic may be impacted occasionally during construction with trucks entering and exiting construction gates. Construction flaggers and SFPD 10B Officers will be assigned during peak hours to assist with traffic and pedestrians. Pedestrians will continue to use west sidewalk of the temporary bridge between Mission and Howard Streets. Pedestrians are urged to please use the crosswalks at the Mission and Howard Street intersection to safely cross.

Natoma Street (Between Fremont and First Streets): Natoma Street (between Fremont and First Streets) has been reduced to one lane, one way (west bound), all vehicles will enter from Fremont Street and exit at First Street. Local vehicle and pedestrian access will remain available.

Natoma Street (Between First and Second Streets): Natoma Street (between First and Second Streets) has been changed to a dead end street for the life of the project with no vehicle access through Natoma Street from Second Street. Local vehicle and pedestrian access will remain available.

Minna Street (Between First and Second Streets): Minna Street has been reduced to one lane, one way (west bound), all vehicles will enter from First Street and exit at Second Street. There will be no parking along Minna Street between First Street and 130 feet east of Second Street for the life of the project. Local vehicle and pedestrian access will remain available.

Mission Street (Between First and Second Streets): There will be underground utilities work and traffic lane closure daily, Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Howard Street (Between Fremont and Second Streets): Howard Street traffic may be impacted occasionally during construction with trucks entering and exiting the construction gate at Howard Street (between First and Second Streets). Construction flaggers will be assigned during peak hours to assist with traffic and pedestrians.

Osso Steakhouse At 1177 California Street at Jones: San Francisco's Best Steak

The Osso Steakhouse at 1177 California Street at Jones, is a new venture from Jerry and Jennifer Dal Bozzo in partnership with Dante Serafini, aims to become a new favorite with San Francisco foodies and steak lovers especially.
The restaurant will offer a diverse à la carte menu featuring the highest quality of 4-6 week dry-aged tender prime beef with bone-in (osso) steaks, along with specialty offerings like Hot Iron Skillet Dungeness Crab. Great pride is taken in the extensive wine list.
The Dal Bozzos and Serafini are the same group behind other San Francisco favorites like The Franciscan Crab Restaurant, The Stinking Rose, Calzone’s Pizza Cucina, and the recently revamped The Old Clam House.
Jerry and Dante have experience when it comes to great steak. “My introduction to dry-aged steaks was the inspiration for the first steakhouse endeavor, Bobo’s,” stated Jerry Dal Bozzo. “Now it’s time for us to grow while continuing to redefine steak standards in San Francisco. We intend to do this at Osso Steakhouse.” Boboquivari’s, better known as Bobo’s, was co-owned by Dal Bozzo, Serafini and Andrea Froncillo and listed as one of the top ten steakhouses in America by USA Today in 2012, alongside restaurants by chefs Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck.
The restaurant's Art Deco inspired design developed by Jennifer Dal Bozzo provides an elegant yet relaxed ambiance in which to enjoy a sumptuous steak, or other tempting menu item. Osso Steakhouse sits at the base of the residential landmark building, Gramercy Towers, located in Nob Hill.
“The design is based on classical elements that aspire to the beauty of the surrounding architecture. It was a very fun project,” said Jennifer Dal Bozzo. “We hope to provide another option for people who enjoy dining in one of San Francisco’s most quintessential neighborhoods.”
Starting Friday, May 3rd, 2013, Osso Steakhouse will be open everyday for dinner only, from 5-10pm. Valet Parking available for $10.

PG&E Pay $2.25 Billion For San Bruno Fire Says San Bruno #SanBrunoFire

In a media event held in Downtown San Francisco today, The City Of San Bruno announced it wants Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to pay $2.25 billion for damages and home destruction that stemmed from the disaster that was the San Bruno Fire.

The City of San Bruno today said it wants fines and penalties of $2.25 billion to be paid by the gas and electric company, saying PG&E shareholders should foot the bill for the utility company’s gross negligence and failure to safely operate its gas pipeline system, which resulted in the death of eight San Bruno residents, injuries to 66 and the destruction of 38 homes in the 2010 PG&E explosion and fire.

The City of San Bruno, the City and County of San Francisco and The Utility Reform Network today filed what they believe the penalties and fines for Pacific Gas & Electric Company should be for its gross mismanagement and failure to safely operate a gas pipeline in the San Bruno Explosion and Fire.. More at Zennie62.com: San Bruno Demands PG&E Pay $2.25 Billion For San Bruno Fire

Recology Board of Directors Adds Two New Members

Laurence A. Colton and George P. McGrath, two prominent California businessmen, have been elected to the board of directors of Recology, the leading independent employee-owned recycling and disposal services company in the western United States.
Mr. Colton, an insurance executive, is CEO of G2 Insurance Services, and recycling executive , EVP and COO of Recology, were named to Recology’s board of directors on April 18, announced Recology President and CEO Michael Sangiacomo. “We are honored to have these leaders on our board,” Sangiacomo said. “Their expertise, insights and experience will help us expand our recycling and disposal services as we continue to grow and develop our employee-owned company.”
Laurence A. Colton, one of California’s leading insurance specialists, is active in community based causes. A founding board member of National AIDS Memorial Grove, he has served on the board of Larkin Street Youth Center, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Working Solutions, Bureau of Jewish Education, Jewish Family & Children’s Service Honorary Board, Horizon Foundation, and Presidio Bank advisory board.
Mr. McGrath is responsible for all of Recology’s collection, processing, and disposal subsidiary operations. He has served the recycling company for 16 years, previously as SVP and CIO, responsible for the strategy and management of the company's information systems.
Recology manages municipal disposal processes and services, including urban cleaning services, collection, sorting, transfer, recovery, and landfill management.
The company name, Recology, reflects its unique success record in driving resource recovery to unparalleled levels through recycling and composting.
Recology companies operate in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington coordinating dozens of recycling programs to recover a variety of materials. Recology programs have been replicated throughout the country and serve as a national model for resource recovery initiatives.

Roots For Peace SF: Removing Landmines From Bethlehem Historic Israel-Palestine Effort

‘Roots for Peace’ in San Francisco is at the center of an incredible partnership.


Representatives of the Bay Area non-profit group spearheaded a historic Palestine and Israel agreement to remove landmines from the City of Bethlehem and will travel to the Holy Land to oversee the first removal and detonation of mines.


Heidi Kühn, Founder and CEO of Roots for Peace, a landmine removal advocacy group headquarted in San Rafael, will join Israeli and Palestinian officials at 10 a.m. (Midnight PST) Wednesday, April 24 at a ceremony in Husan Village section of Bethlehem to begin safely removing and detonating mines left over since a 1948 territorial dispute in one of the holiest of cities to three of the world’s major religions, Muslim, Christian and Jewish.


More at Zennie62.com here: Roots For Peace SF At Center Of Historic Israel-Palestine Effort To Remove Landmines From Bethlehem

TRASHED Starring Jeremy Irons; At Sundance Kabuki San Franciso Tonight

As reported at Zennie62 (TRASHED Starring Jeremy Irons; See It Tonight In SF: Sundance Kabuki) the amazing movie's playing this evening at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas.



TRASHED.

If movie called TRASHED, a documentary made by Chicago filmmaker Bill Kurkos, lives up to the the trailer for TRASHED, we're talking about one incredible flick. See it tonight at a special screening at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas at 1881 Post Street at Fi||more Street from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, tonight, April 11th, Thursday.

TRASHED is called "the story of trash" and will make you think twice about throwing anything, no matter how large or small, not even a cigarrette butt, out of the window, and to the ground. It's estimated that we produce 5,000 pounds of trash per day and our actions fuel a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Here's a Chicago Tonight segment on TRASHED:



This next trailer, made in 2007, gives the grim statistical picture at that time:



If you're in San Francisco or The SF Bay Area, see the movie tonight.

Stay tuned.

SF TransBay Transit Center Reaches Milestone Today - Stephanie Reichin E...

San Francisco's TransBay Transit Center Reaches Milestone Today - Stephanie Reichin explains the construction process achievement in interview today.


The Transbay Project is reaching a new milestone as contractors prepare to install the third and final traffic bridge over the Transbay Excavation. The bridge enables excavation to proceed under city streets without impacting local traffic.

The work taking place - and between Beale Street, between Mission and Howard Streets
from Friday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m., until Monday, April 8, at 5:00 a.m. - to install the Beale Street Bridge will include demolition of the existing road and concrete base, installation of the traffic bridge using two cranes, and paving of the new traffic bridge.


The TransBay Transit Center will be the Grand Central Station of The West Coast when it opens in 2017.


Stay tuned.

Great Compost Giveaway Saturday By Recology

According to Oakland Focus Blog, SF Recology announces The Annual Great Compost Giveaway - a “bring your own bucket” event providing up to 10 gallons of prized compost to San Francisco residents for free. The finished compost, a custom blend made from food scraps and plant trimmings collected from Recology’s green bin program, is a great planting mix for home gardens and outdoor container plants. The event is free and open to the public.
It will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013, 8 a.m. to Noon, Rain or Shine and at three locations in San Francisco:

McLaren Park – Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Parking Lot John F. Shelley Dr. at Mansell Street
Ocean Beach Parking Lot 850 Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Fulton St.
Recology Golden Gate 900 7th @ Berry St. Enter on Berry St.

Recology, the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department and the San Francisco Department of Environment host this annual event to thank residents for the recycling and composting they do every day. San Francisco is now 80 percent of the way to Zero Waste due to innovative source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting programs embraced by the City’s residents, businesses and leaders.

LucasArts In The Presidio Shut Down By Disney, 150 Fired

LucasArts In The Presidio will be no more, after an announcement by its new parent company, Disney.  The news sounds what seems to be the beginning of an end to the economic contributions that George Lucas gave to the San Francisco Bay Area - namely jobs.


The news has angered Darth Vader:

Disney is shutting down LucasArts. In related news, the Death Star just aimed its laser at Disney's headquarters.
— Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) April 3, 2013

And for good reason: the end of LucasArts and its games like StarWars 1313 employed 150 people, all who live in San Francisco or some place in the SF Bay Area. And for the sake of nostalgia, here's an old LucasFilm video regarding its games operation that became LucasArts:
According to Gameinformer, which broke the story, Disney released this statement:

"After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games. As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles."

Reports are that the games "weren't selling well anyway," but that could be for a number of reasons like, poor or under budget marketing. I think it was that Disney has its own games division and saw Lucasarts as duplicative.
That said, Gameinformer has a good explanation of how Lucasarts was doing up to this point in time.
Stay tuned.

America’s Cup Has San Francisco Union Problem, Stiffs City, Businesses

Over at Zennie62.com comes this America's Cup bit of bad news.


According to numerous reports and sources, America’s Cup CEO Stephen Barclay has not authorized the San Francisco America’s Cup organization to pay full contracted union wages to San Francisco-based businesses – in particular, Hartmann Studios.


Hartmann Studios is under contract with America’s Cup Event Authority to set up events related to and help stage the races at the center of what’s called “America’s Cup.” San Francisco Chronicle Columnists Matier and Ross reported today that the America’s Cup Event Authority owes Hartmann Studios almost half-a-million, or $400,000 in unpaid not including the $56,000 in administrative costs the City and County of San Francisco has incurred to date. That’s a total of $456,000.


Matier and Ross quote America’s CUP CEO Stephen Barclay as saying “I’m absolutely unaware of this. I’m staggered.”


Really?


To find out why his claim sounds funny, visit Zennie62.com, here: America’s Cup Stiffs San Francisco Workers, Fails To Pay Full Contracted Wages

New San Francisco 49ers Stadium Construction Walkabout

Another San Francisco 49ers New Stadium Video. This one a walk in the stadium, rather than an aerial view of the construction progress. This was done on November 21st, 2012.

San Francisco 49ers New Stadium Under Construction: Aerial Video

This aerial video of the new stadium home of the San Francisco 49ers gives you a great view of what the venue looks like as it speeds toward completion for the 2014 Season. The video is by DefyingGravityFilm.