Portsmouth Square Garage Elevators Reopen, but 80 Parking Spaces Will Remain Occupied Through January

CHINATOWN, SAN FRANCISCO — All elevators serving Portsmouth Square Garage are operational again following completion of a temporary pedestrian walkway, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced on October 30, 2026.

What changed for pedestrians

The official construction update says the new temporary walkway now connects the garage elevators with the corner of Washington Street and Walter U. Lum Place. The work restores a defined pedestrian route while the historic plaza overhead is rebuilt.

Earlier in October, the city had reported instability in a walkway along the eastern side of Walter U. Lum Place and redirected pedestrians to the opposite sidewalk. The October 30 announcement provides the more recent status for the elevator connection; people should still obey posted paths and construction barriers.

What drivers need to know

Contractors installed temporary shoring inside the garage to support work above. The supports occupy 80 parking spaces: 40 on Floor 3 and 40 on Floor 4, with the arrangement expected to last through the end of January 2027. The city says the garage itself remains open during construction.

Work also continues at the Kearny Street garage entrance, where contractors are extending part of the ceiling to make room for additional public space at plaza level. Waterproofing and concrete reinforcement work are underway elsewhere in the project.

How to report a problem

The city names project manager Noah Levy at noah.levy@sfgov.org or 628-652-6633. Anyone planning to park should account for reduced space availability and follow the current signs rather than assume a specific garage floor has unlimited capacity.

Source: San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Portsmouth Square construction update, October 30, 2026. No borrowed construction photographs used.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58 grow Help strengthen reporting on Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58

Choose how to support Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Chinatown News — San Francisco | California58 — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.