In the last couple of weeks leading up to the Jan . 28 holiday , Public Works intensively spruced up Chinatown to mark the Year of the Rooster .
The iconic Chinatown Gateway at Bush and Grant streets , an official entrance to San Francisco ’ s famous historic neighborhood , looks stunning after a power washing by Public Works crews . We also scrubbed away the soot in the Broadway and Stockton tunnels and our workers gave the symbolic dragon lights on Grant Avenue fresh coats of red and green paint . Other improvements included washing down the streets and removing graffiti .
On top of that , we are working with the community and PG & E to replace the faded red lanterns hanging over Grant Avenue with new ones and LED lights to bright up Grand Avenue to make Chinatown safer and more beautiful at night .
In the Chinese zodiac , each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle . The
Rooster is the tenth among the 12 animals . Years of the Rooster include 1933 , 1945 , 1957 , 1969 , 1981 , 1993 , 2005 , 2017 and 2029 . Generally , people born in a Year of the Rooster are considered to be very observant , hard-working , resourceful , courageous , and talented . Roosters are not shy to show confidence in themselves .
There are many traditions still exercised by Chinese people around the world during the Chinese New Year celebrations . For example , as we are entering a new year , the Chinese believe that bad luck , misfortune and burdens from the previous year can be cleared by having a thorough cleanup of their homes , offices , businesses and neighborhoods . This will bring a fresh start and draw prosperity in the New Year .
Public Works is honored to do our part to help drive out the bad luck .
In addition to the cleaning efforts , we also celebrated the sixth year of the Stockton Street Pedestrian Enhancement Program – a partnership between City agencies and the Chinatown community . Merchants on Stockton Street were allowed to use the parking lane in front of their stores to display merchandise between Jan . 14 and Jan . 27 . Our inspectors were on hand to ensure pedestrians were kept safe along the busy commercial corridor .
To accommodate the New Year activities and the crowds they draw , the City enacted a moratorium on several construction projects taking place in Chinatown , among them Central Subway , Broadway Streetscape Improvement , and Spofford Green Alley . Construction will start back up again after the Chinese New Year Parade on Feb . 11 .
Public Works is proud to help provide a safe and pleasant environment to neighbors , shoppers and visitors in Chinatown and our beautiful city . We wish everyone a happy and prosperous Year of the Rooster ! Gung Hay Fat Choy !
January 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter