Mayor Daniel Lurie Breaks Ground On Transformation Of Chinatown's Historic Portsmouth Square

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today broke ground on the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project, a $73 million investment in Chinatown that will transform the neighborhood’s historic public square with a new community clubhouse, expanded play areas, flexible event space, and more room for residents to gather. Known as Chinatown’s “Living Room,” Portsmouth Square is San Francisco’s oldest public square and one of San Francisco’s most important historic sites. The square has been at the center of San Francisco's story since the city's earliest days, serving as the site of California's first public school and as a gathering place for generations of residents at the heart of Chinatown.

The project builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to provide dynamic, accessible public spaces for San Francisco’s families and young people, while bringing down the costs of housing, childcare, education, food, healthcare, and transportation through his Family Opportunity Agenda. Mayor Lurie has marked significant milestones for street safety projects in Mission Rock and on Twin Peaks Boulevard, following significant work to revitalize the city’s eastern waterfront, including through the expansion of the India Basin Waterfront Park. Mayor Lurie has also leveraged public spaces to drive the city’s economic recovery, bringing more free entertainment including a free concert series returning to Golden Gate Park through the summer and fall as well as free concerts and food trucks in Civic Center Plaza.

“Portsmouth Square is where the Chinatown community gathers, and they should have a space as vibrant and dynamic as any public space in our city. That’s why the city is investing $73 million in this community,” said Mayor Lurie. “This project will deliver upgrades that will benefit generations of Chinatown residents. Portsmouth Square has been here since the beginning of San Francisco, and with this investment, it will be here for everything that comes next.”

The redesigned park will feature a new 8,300-square-foot community clubhouse with meeting rooms and a commercial catering kitchen; a larger playground and new adult fitness area; a flexible outdoor plaza and stage for performances, cultural celebrations, and community events; more shade, seating, and gathering space; new landscaping and lighting; restoration of existing public art and addition of two new commissioned pieces designed specifically for Portsmouth Square; and accessibility improvements throughout the park.

The project will also remove the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge, opening up the square, creating more usable public space, and better connecting the park to the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the new amenities, the project includes critical repairs and upgrades beneath the park, strengthening the foundation of this important community space.

“Portsmouth Square is one of the true gems of San Francisco’s public spaces, and it’s a total joy to help ensure it remains vibrant for decades to come,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “The Chinatown community deserves a space where every generation can come together and find something to do that connects them to their neighbors and the incredible community that surrounds them. These upgrades will ensure Portsmouth Square will remain a space for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.”

“Today’s groundbreaking represents a historic moment for Chinatown as we move forward with the transformation of the neighborhood’s main public space,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “Residents in this densely populated neighborhood deserve world-class open space, and this project will deliver that. Thanks to the many community advocates who helped make this day possible.”

Led by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the project was shaped by years of input from residents, seniors, families, merchants, and neighborhood organizations. San Francisco Public Works is overseeing construction management and project delivery. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.

“Portsmouth Square is one of the hardest-working parks in San Francisco, where every square foot serves the neighborhood,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager. “This improvement project will create more space for play, exercise, community gatherings, and cultural events, while improving accessibility and adding a modern clubhouse. We're excited to get started on a project that will make this space work even better for the thousands of people who use it every day.”

“The community-driven reimagination of this iconic public square in the heart of Chinatown will balance cultural identity with modern amenities to meet today's needs and benefit the next generation,” said Carla Short, San Francisco Public Works Director. “Our team is honored to deliver this project on behalf of our city partners, neighborhood leaders, and, perhaps most importantly, Portsmouth Square’s cross-generational visitors.”

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is guiding the integration of cultural and historical elements through existing monuments and new public art, guided by the Portsmouth Square Art and Interpretive Program Master Plan, which was shaped by the Chinatown community.

“Portsmouth Square is the neighborhood’s living room and has long been a place where the stories, traditions, and daily life of San Francisco come together. The Arts Commission is proud to partner with the Recreation and Park Department and Chinatown community stakeholders to help incorporate art that reflects the people, experiences, and legacy that make this neighborhood so vibrant,” said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. “Public art plays an important role in creating a sense of belonging, and this project presents an opportunity to celebrate the community’s past, present, and future through artwork that is rooted in identity and place.”

Two new works will be commissioned for the park, both selected through a community-informed process: “Nuwa's Hand (Fruits of Chinatown),” an outdoor sculpture by Cathy Lu, and “Community Treasures,” a ceramic tile mural by Jenifer K. Wofford. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, SFAC and the Chinese Culture Center created the Chinatown Artist Registry, from which both artists were selected. Existing artworks will be conserved and reinstalled following construction.

The renovation represents the final major park improvement project in Chinatown, following the renovations of Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground and Betty Ann Ong Recreation Center.

“In the densest residential community in San Francisco, where 60% of our housing are SRO’s, Portsmouth Square is a literal and figurative community living room. That’s why this community has engaged and advocated for this reimagining of our living room for over 15 years,” said Malcolm Yeung, Chinatown Community Development Center CEO. “I am grateful to the thousands of Chinatown residents and stakeholders for engaging, for struggling (sometimes with each other), and for advocating to make this reimagination a reality. And I want to thank Rec Park and all of our city agencies for partnering with us along the way.”

“Our seniors have been waiting for a long time for a modernized, functional Portsmouth Square Park and Community Center,” said Anni Chung, Self-Help for the Elderly Executive Director. “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony fills our hearts with joy, telling us the new park will be ready soon. We look forward to working closely with the Rec and Park staff to transform Portsmouth Square into the most visited and beautiful park that our community deserves. Thank you, Mayor Lurie!”

Funding for the project comes from a combination of the voter-approved 2020 Health and Recovery Bond, developer impact fees, the Downtown Park Fund, Sustainable Chinatown, a $6 million state budget allocation secured by former Assemblymember Phil Ting, and a $1 million state budget allocation from Senator Scott Wiener.

Swinerton is the contractor on the project. SWA is the landscape architect, and MEI Architects is the project architect.

“Swinerton is proud to partner with San Francisco Recreation and Park, Public Works, and the Chinatown community to bring the vision for Portsmouth Square to life,” said Christina Pantera, Swinerton Project Executive. “This groundbreaking marks a major milestone for a space that holds deep meaning for so many residents. We look forward to delivering a high-quality, community-focused project that beautifully enhances the ‘living room’ of Chinatown.”