San Francisco 17th Street Plaza Project

This is an effort in San Francisco showing that by calling a project a “pilot”, they can forego many of the policies and procedures that drag down useful ideas. The best is that they have been trying to figure out this public space for 17 years. In only 72 hours, they were able to see the possibilities of the space. Instead of a public safety red zone, it is now becoming an attractive, useful outdoor space.

http://www.adaptivepath.com/blog/2009/07/05/use-of-concept-the-best-proof-of-concept/

And now the project has been approved for another 4 months,
http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/10/17th-street-plaza-trial-extended-four-months/

This made me wonder if we are spending too much time wrapped up in bureaucracy in design and don’t take enough iniative with our public spaces. And maybe even the best ideas aren’t worth getting to if it takes 17 years?? Any thoughts on the subject?