painted box in bioswale bulb-out

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More Details: Facebook/Bioswales for Utility Boxes

PROBLEM A: Despite environmental concerns, AT&T is pushing its plans to install 726 refrigerator-size, sound-emitting utility boxes (plus bollards) on city sidewalks. Boxes will impede the pedestrian right-of-way, thus are counter to our Ped first policy. According to City policy, utility boxes are blight.

PROBLEM B: Unlike many cities, San Francisco sends sewer and storm water through the same treatment process. During large storms, water overloads the capacity of the combined system, causing overflows into the Bay and Ocean of minimally or untreated water. Gross.

PROBLEM C: San Francisco has ugly, impermeable streets. Most are too wide, making them hazardous for pedestrians
Since front yards are non-existent or very small, our streets often appear harsh, exposed, and impermeable. We're already 2 decades behind Portland, OR. on street-greening: http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=44407

SOLUTION: AT&T finances the construction of bulb-outs with bioswales as a place to mount their new U-Verse boxes. Planted bioswales capture rainwater and allow it to return to the ground before it overloads the sewer system. Bulb-outs reduce the distance pedestrians must spend in the street. Utility boxes are off the sidewalk, shielded by landscaping.
In a perfect world, unpercolated stormwater would overflow into an underground cistern that neighbors could draw their landscaping water from, thus reducing residential water consumption.

RESULT: reduced stormwater overflow, safer crosswalks, and no utility boxes blocking sidewalks, and, since AT&T would pay for construction, the cost to the city would be minimal. In fact, considering the benefits, the city will save $Millions! OH, did I mention Competition for Comcast?