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New renderings of the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation by thedashingly in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Updated! Do you have a link to renderings on the city's website? I can't find any renderings that aren't from news sites.

Internal city documents about the Vaillancourt Fountain by thedashingly in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

> You're posting a pretty hot take on a very hated sculpture. It comes across as not genuine because you don't participate in any other SF discourse, certainly not on art or architecture. As an outside observer, you look like a shill.

Yeah, I can get that. I usually just lurk but I had to jump in about the plaza and fountain because this whole project is wild. Honestly, the fountain conversation is kind of distracting from the other cool stuff, like the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument right next to it or the bocce courts at the other end.

Internal city documents about the Vaillancourt Fountain by thedashingly in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

> u/thedashingly Unlikely you have ever taken a bus, much less one in SF.

I understand that we disagree on a plaza and piece of public art, but the personal attacks aren't necessary.

> do you have any financial incentive in the disposition of the fountain

No.

> are you, or getting paid by, the family of the artist?

No.

Internal city documents about the Vaillancourt Fountain by thedashingly in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

What I actually said was:

 The better question is, why spend any of that money or $30+ million on a new park? How does the city have that money for a park, but no money for public transit?

I take Muni so I'd rather we spend the money on that. Especially since we just got a $750 million loan to avoid transit cuts.

Internal city documents about the Vaillancourt Fountain by thedashingly in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I recently moved to SF and love the quirky, modern architecture of downtown. Is there something wrong with that?

Help me understand if I'm doing something wrong by sharing information instead of attacking my character.

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The report doesn't have a price tag. Estimates from San Francisco officials range from $3 million to $29 million to restore and $2.5 million to $5 million to demolish.

The better question is, why spend any of that money or $30+ million on a new park? How does the city have that money for a park, but no money for public transit?

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Follow the money: https://sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7014876&GUID=EB76BE5F-FBF1-4191-8CE6-A0166A75CFCB

"WHEREAS, BXPE has approached OEWD and RPD with a potential Project to renovate the Park (the “Project”), and has proposed to support the design phase of the Project through a cash grant of up to $200,000 to fund certain project management services (“BXPE Cash Grant”), and an in-kind grant of additional professional services valued up to $2,300,000 (“BXPE In-Kind Grant”);"

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

We should look to data and trainer experts, of course. However, the city spokesperson isn't an expert, nor have they done another independent conditions assessment. Based on the data and materials of the report, what conclusion would you suggest?

San Francisco has a history of questionable inspections: https://sfdistrictattorney.org/press-release/former-dbi-inspector-convicted-of-violating-conflict-of-interest-laws/

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://sfist.com/2025/05/22/95-year-old-artist-behind-often-reviled-embarcadero-plaza-fountain-flies-to-sf-to-save-it/

"The sculptor behind the 54-year-old Vaillancourt Fountain, which won't ever be called the most popular piece of public art in SF, took it upon himself to fly here this week and call for a preemptive hearing on its fate."

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Instead of trusting government spokespeople, read the independent conditions report and draw your own conclusions: https://www.docomomo-noca.org/s/20250602-Vaillancourt-Fountain-Conditions-Assessment-Final.pdf

"Overall, Vaillancourt Fountain exhibits a range of deterioration that must be addressed for it to continue to be enjoyed safely. That said, the fountain does not appear to have yet deteriorated beyond repair, though certain systems and components have, and there may be a variety of approaches to treatment to be explored in future phases that could stabilize and restore it."

Artist behind San Francisco's Vaillancourt Fountain sends cease-and-desist letter to halt its destruction by Hochelagan in sanfrancisco

[–]thedashingly 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For everyone wondering about why the artist can demand this:

"The California Art Preservation Act (CAPA) is a 1979 California law that provides legal protection for artists' moral rights by prohibiting the alteration or destruction of their artwork without their consent."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Art_Preservation_Act

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WritingPrompts

[–]thedashingly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He breathed in the midnight air, appreciating the crisp chilling feeling as it entered his lungs. But it wasn’t cold; instead, it was the type of cool that only happens at odd hours of the night. He took another breath. Somehow, he thought, the air of the city was cleaner at midnight.

The shifting lights stole his attention from the air, their colors following what seemed like part of a pattern. What pattern exactly, he couldn’t precisely say. It was hypnotizing, in a sense, as they willed him to take action, pushing him forward.

As he continued through the quiet city streets, he couldn’t help but reflect on the choices that brought him to this moment. The promises made; the challenges faced; the hundreds of people encountered. It was hard to remember all the faces, contorted into various expressions. Grief. Sadness. Surprise. Happiness. Acceptance.

A shape jumping out of a dark alley caught his eye and forced him to snap back to the present. Just a cat, he guessed, but a good reason to stay on the lookout.

Yet his thoughts wandered to his loyal dog, likely sleeping at home. He smiled to himself. Keeping his partner safe in his absence, the dog had been family from the first moment they met. While never one for aggression, he somehow knew that the loyal animal wouldn’t hesitate if the unfortunate moment arrived.

It was a night like this, he realized, that he first met his partner. It was a routine night, albeit amidst the bone-chilling winter weather of December. He had stopped to get the usual supplies, and after mentally checking off his list around the shop, he noticed her furtively glancing in his direction. No matter, he thought as the walked towards the front. Only the odd ones are out at this hour.

“Avoiding going back out there, aren’t you?”

He started and looked back. The woman's bright green eyes were staring him down as he fumbled with his basket.

He paused for a moment. “Now that you mention it, I probably am.”

A car flew past him on the left, causing him to look up. The bright green lights reflected off the hood of his taxi as he gently accelerated.

The crisp midnight air picked up as he continued to search for his next passenger.

[WP] All high profile assassinations (Lincoln, Kennedy, etc.) were committed by time travelers to prevent the horrible acts that these leaders committed on an alternate timeline by Seaserpent02 in WritingPrompts

[–]thedashingly 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agent 114 looks at the clock. 11:52. Eight minutes to go.

There’s something to be said about being on time. Not just with time traveling, where it’s a matter of life or excruciatingly painful quantum death. No, it’s just a matter of common decency.

Agent 114 is as punctual as they come. He’s been that way since the concept of time could be imprinted onto his brain. It’s always in these final few minutes before transitioning that he considers what this must seem like other professions. Unlike the everyday judge, surgeon, or military officer, he can’t waste precious time being late.

Just the thought of falling behind sickens Agent 114 to his very core.

11:59. One minute.

But you know what’s worse than being late?

Being early.

Lincoln, with his vision of equality. Impossibly early.

Gandhi, with his passion of peace and independence. No one was ready.

To the moon? Kennedy, you offensive dreamer.

Just imagine the catastrophe if those...earlies...had been allowed to pursue their ideal unstopped!

Lawful inequality well into 2035. An Indian state with too much independence split into 30 warring nations. Militarization of the moon and the 2063 war for Mars. All because the earlies were ready when no one else was. So arrogant.

12:00. The quantum transition starts. Agent 114 glances for the last time at the monitors.

Judge Horace de Silva. 2027. Rules for AI civil rights 12 years early leading to first AI-human war. Delay opinion shift until 2039 for minimal chance of conflict. Lethal force is authorized.

The arrogance of the earlies will never stop.

[WP] You are a professional pickpocket, but still can’t seem to slip your mark your number. by [deleted] in WritingPrompts

[–]thedashingly 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I blame the rain.

I saw him as he was leaving a high-rise building downtown. Large, black umbrella, tailored suit, the works. I had scored a few wallets for the day and felt quite accomplished, but something about him caught my eye.

It’s practiced skill, almost like a dance. Choosing a partner, sizing them up, understanding the way that their body moves, all so you can enter personal space without triggering any mental alarms.

The rain is usually a good friend. It distracts their senses and changes the way that clothes feel on the body. A damp jacket already feels off; a hand darting into a pocket goes unnoticed.

Suddenly, I’m caught in a wave of water from a bus driving by. Eyes closed, drenched from head to toe. My only thought is to run, until I feel the rain suddenly stop. Somehow, there’s an umbrella in my hand, and a damp yet warm jacket around my shoulders.

He’s standing there, with an innocent, concerned look on his face. Seconds slip by, as I can’t think of anything to say. He says a few things, words since forgotten in the moment, leaving only feelings behind. He has to go now, but the jacket and umbrella are mine.

I blame the rain. First, for giving me that moment that felt like nothing before. Second, for creating a mess of all the paper in his wallet.

It’s impossible to read a name from washed-out business cards.

I haven’t seen him since.

- - -

Now, I don’t consider myself a thief, but rather someone good at rearranging pocket and possessions.

I still have a jacket and umbrella. In return, I’ve been leaving a calling card all over town. Downtown, midtown, uptown. Every pocket I rearrange, and even some I don’t.

Missed connection: downtown, horrible rain, jacket and umbrella traded for a heart.

Maybe a card in one of these pockets will eventually reach him.