ABOUT DODGE ALLEY

Dodge Alley is located on Turk St between Larkin St and Hyde St

TLCBD works with residents and block partners to help transform Dodge Place – a neglected alley in the Tenderloin burdened with open-air drug use and violence – into a healthy, activated, and positive community experience for local families and seniors.

TLCBD advocates that the Tenderloin deserves thriving alleyways that support community, just like other adjacent San Francisco neighborhoods!

Temporary activations such as live performances, outdoor dining, and classes for residents serve as the pilot program for the transformation of Dodge Place. Other recent programming has included community and cultural events, talent shows, health fairs, carnival games, kids’ activities, and urban gardening — with an average of 100 community members per event.

More permanent community-led physical improvements are planned,  including planter boxes, murals, and colorful design and lighting elements. The vision is to transform the alley into a safe, vibrant, verdant, and inclusive space for community gatherings.

Upcoming programming includes “2ND THURSDAYS AT DODGE”: monthly activations that feature local music and performances, while showcasing neighboring businesses to offer unique outdoor dining. Upcoming dates in 2025 include April 10, May 8, and June 12 – the first 50 attendees to each event will receive a free voucher redeemable for $15 worth of food & drink at selected neighbor businesses.

DODGE PLACE: EXISTING CONDITIONS

Dodge Place is at the beginning of a community-led transformation from a heavily impacted alley with open air drug use, encampments and negative nighttime behaviors into a safe, vibrant and verdant space for community gatherings.

  • Dodge Alley is home to a tight knit community of residents and business owners who work daily to make the Tenderloin a strong and vibrant neighborhood
  • A community-led ground mural was painted on the asphalt road surface in 2022.
  • Soon thereafter, overhead zig-zag lights were installed, giving the alley additional safety and event lighting. TLCBD advocates for the face that the Tenderloin deserves thriving alleyways that support community, just like other adjacent San Francisco neighborhoods do!

DODGE PLACE: PLACEMAKING, ACTIVATION + COMMUNITY BUILDING

Community meetings started in November 2020 as alleyway condition were detrimental to quality of life of residents and businesses on the alleyway. Residents got together to explore options for the alleyway including stewardship, a physical gate, and community activations

  • Activations of Dodge alley started on April 7th, 2022 as a congregation spot to be in community.
  • TLCBD has been granted 3 consecutive shared spaces permits for Dodge Alley, the most recent Shared spaces permit was approved August 8th, 2024.
  • TLCBD has been granted over $200K in funding throughout the years, funding sources have been AARP, OEWD and a recent Community
  • Activation programming has included: community and cultural events, talent show, heath fair, live entertainment including live music & DJs, carnival games, kids activities, urban gardening, with an average of 100 community members per activation.
  • Since April 2022, activations have happened approximately on once a
    month
  • The largest activation to date was Dia De Muertos 2023 which had over 250 attendees

Dodge Alley

The transformation of Dodge Place has already brought together a wide range of Community, Cultural, Civic and Business Partners:

COMMUNITY + CIVIC PARTNERS
AARP
CCDC
Community Challenge Grant
La Voz Latina
Larkin Street Youth Services
Race and Equity in all Planning Coalition (REP-SF)
RefuseReuse
SAFEHOUSE San Francisco
Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC)
The Healing Well
Urban Alchemy

CULTURAL PARTNERS
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Tenderloin Museum
Psyched! Radio SF

PARTNER BUSINESSES
Bo+Beurre
Disco Movil Salazar
Deli Shack
Emperor Norton’s Boozeland
Estrellita Snacks
Fluid Coffee & Events
Golden Kim Tar
Mi Morena
Outta Sight Pizza
SF Organica
Shanks
Shovels Bar & Grill
Spice of India

PROJECT PARTNER
Bay Luminations
BUILD GROUP
Civic Joy Fund
Envelope A+D
Fauvescraper Studio
Friends of the Urban Forest
Langan Engineering Services
UC Law
U+E DESIGN

In Spring 2025, a new mural was created on the predominantly black wall at the corner of Turk and Dodge Place. TLCBD Engaged with the community, who were presented with multiple mural options and voted on their favorite one. The work the community selected is called “DODGE PLACE GARDENS” by the artist Kaytwo. A San Francisco community challenge grant is funding this mural.

DODGE PLACE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FEEDBACK

TLCBD surveyed residents and visitors to get their feedback on what they would like to see at Dodge Place.

Feedback

  • 68% of those surveyed were Tenderloin District Residents
  • the survey captured a very even representation of age ranges from
    20 to 60+
  • over 86% of those surveyed said they would frequent Dodge Place
    if activated
  • 87.5% preferred activating Dodge Place daily from 10am until 7pm
  • the top 5 activation programs people would like to see are:
    • Outdoor Dining 71.4%
    • Urban Gardening 66.7%
    • Arts & Crafts Classes 61.9%
    • Public Art + Murals 52.4%
    • Live Music 47.6%
  • the top three preferences for art installations in Dodge Place are:
    Murals 68.2%

    • Ground Art / Graphics 59.1%
    • Light Art Installation 54.5%