San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today joined the Consul General of Japan Osumi Yo, members of the Japantown Merchants Association, Japantown Community Benefit District, and the Fillmore/Western Addition community in a ceremonial inaugural walk across the freshly painted Webster Street pedestrian bridge.
The bridge, which serves as an important connector between the historic Japantown and Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhoods, now stands out in a radiant vermillion hue as a result of community advocacy. The once light gray concrete bridge now bursts in a dynamic red, chosen to resemble the color found on traditional torii gates in Japan that symbolize gratitude and harmony.
“This is more than a bridge, this is a walkway that symbolizes community and harmony for so many who are deeply rooted in San Francisco, and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Mayor London Breed. “As we celebrate this bridge, which now continues to connect the communities, we recognize the importance community advocacy and renew our commitment to supporting one another through goodwill and gratitude.”
Spanning over Geary Boulevard at Webster Street, the pedestrian bridge was built in 1967 as part of the larger redevelopment project in the Western Addition and has remained an important physical link between the Japantown and Fillmore/Western Addition communities and families.
For decades, it has served as a symbol of unity, advocacy and connectedness for the nearby communities that cross this bridge every day. In 2021, preservation efforts led by community supported the safekeeping of the bridge during planning stages for the Geary Rapid Project, and today pedestrians continue to utilize the bridge and crosswalk with enhanced pedestrian safety improvements.
Considered several years ago for demolition as part of a streetscape makeover, community leaders fought back, saying the span remains a vital link between the two neighborhoods.
Although the City made significant pedestrian-safety improvements at the street-level crossing, a vocal group of neighbors, the nearby Rosa Parks Elementary School community and others said they prefer the bridge where people can bypass the busy road altogether.
More recently, at the urging of the Japantown Community Benefit District and the Japantown Merchants Association, the bridge received a welcomed refresh – most notably, the new paint enhancements that are visible for blocks from the east and west. The completion of fresh paint on the bridge also debuts the community's excitement and anticipation as the City welcomes more than 20,000 attendees during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) week.
“This is a new place-maker that complements the iconic pagoda in the Japantown Peace Plaza and serves as an important reminder of our connection with the Western Addition/Fillmore community,” said Grace Horikiri, Executive Director of the Japantown Community Benefit District. “Now when you see the red bridge, you know you have arrived at a very special place.”
“The relationship between Japantown and the Fillmore, which were so harshly separated by ill-conceived government policy many years ago, nevertheless remains strong and runs deep,” said the Rev. Arnold Townsend, a civil rights leader with established roots in the Fillmore and a veteran in the fight against redevelopment of the Western Addition. “The bridge is not only a symbol of the bond but also serves as utilitarian connector between the neighborhoods.”
In addition to the painting of the main structure, crews painted the metal railing and repaired and spruced up the overhead lanterns that light the pathway, and repaired cracks in the concrete.
San Francisco Public Works delivered the project, with funding from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. A contractor, Jeffco Painting & Coating of Vallejo, painted the structure and Public Works’ electricians fixed the lights.
“This beautification project, forged through a partnership between the City and neighborhood advocates, will benefit the community and delight visitors for years to come,” said interim Public Works Director Carla Short. “A little color can go a long way in sparking joy.”
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