Gimme Shelter: January 2012

While I generally prefer salvaged building materials and small community hardware stores, it is sometimes more efficient and cost effective to shop at large "home improvement" stores like Home Depot, Lowe's and Calif.-based Orchard Supply. I seem to gravitate towards Home Depot because of familiarity and large product selection, and I simply accept that I'm on my own there unless I can somehow abduct one of those evasive orange-festooned employees.

Still, the bill can add up quickly at Home Depot, so any type of discount is welcome. The "Pro Rewards" discount program is targeted at contractors, although anyone can enroll in one of the stores. The discount ranges from 0% to 3% depending on annual spending (once you reach a certain tier you remain at that discount level indefinitely until your annual spending bumps you to a higher tier), and you get access to a secure customer portal that appears to be a convenient way to track projects and transactions. In addition, you can submit any project over $2,500 to their Pro Desk for a volume pricing quote (I haven't done this yet, but plan to try it).

I have to confess that the growing number of frequent customer programs, from airlines to sandwich shops, can be overwhelming and sometimes of dubious value. However, for anyone undertaking even a moderate building or renovation project, the savings for programs such as this one can be nontrivial and ultimately worth the time to enroll.

Over the past year parklets have been sprouting up throughout San Francisco in what seems to be a very simple community-building trend with minimal downside. A business or neighborhood group gets approval from the city, pays applicable fees, and has the parklet constructed (and continues to maintain it) in usually two contiguous parallel parking spaces. The parklets, open to everyone, are generally comfortable, relaxing, outdoor patios, a brief reprieve in an urban concrete jungle. They are great for meeting and talking with people, or enjoying a snack while taking in the sights and sounds of the big city from a little island sanctuary.

The fees ensure SF still receives the money it would normally get from parking meters, and fewer parking spaces is generally a good thing (at least in SF) because it encourages walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, etc. Outside of some heavy-handed commercialism, which hopefully the city would reject anyway, it's difficult to imagine what, if any, negative impact parklets have. An unlucky parklet could experience disuse and become unsightly if the sponsor loses interest or goes out of business. However, permits must be annually renewed and can be revoked. The relatively simple design and scope allows the parklet to be refurbished or completely dismantled so the space can immediately revert to its previous role as a couple of parking spots.

SF is exploring other forms of micro-parks such as "parkmobiles", mobile dumpsters which include plants and integrated seating, as well actively transforming underutilized spaces, like intersections. Other cities, like NYC, have installed or are experimenting with parklets or similar concepts for a simple win-win: inexpensive parklets generally promote a sense of community and contribute to a city's overall livability, all the while benefiting surrounding merchants who sell coffee, food and drinks to people who linger more because they now have a cozy place to do so (resulting in increased tax revenue). To be fair, SF is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, but the simple design and scope enables even locales with harsh winters to seasonally utilize parklets. Most importantly, it doesn't have to be a full-blown parklet either: a table, some chairs, a few plants, a bench, etc. can miraculously transform a cold, bleak storefront into an inviting, active member of the community while helping strengthen that community by providing a convenient, comfortable refuge for its inhabitants.

Mission District

It spans both side of street and is the most commercial parklet I've seen (fencing resembles sponsor's (Audi) logo), but it's not too bad, especially given it's location at Union Square, which was long ago ceded to tourists. Plus, I like the solar panels.