It’s been over a decade and a half since the Central Freeway was demolished, and later replaced by Octavia Boulevard, Patricia’s Green and new housing. The removal of the freeway — perhaps the final chapter of the freeway revolt that began decades prior — is a pivotal part of the history of San Francisco and Hayes Valley, and still unknown to many.
The community has discussed for many years the possibility of telling this the story with a commemorative installation in Patricia’s Green or along the Boulevard. With this in mind, the Market/Octavia Citizens Advisory Committee (MOCAC), in partnership with the San Francisco Planning Department and San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA), has undertaken an exploration called The Octavia Project (formerly known as the Market/Octavia Historic Commemorative Project), currently stewarded by the Octavia Project Alliance.