The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which manages transportation in the City, today announced that the Agency has completed the acquisition of the property that will be the future home of the Central Subway’s Chinatown Station. Starting today, the property, located at 933-949 Stockton Street, will be secured, signage will be removed and a decorative vinyl wrap will be applied along Stockton and Washington streets.

The vinyl wrap will feature renderings of the future Chinatown Station design, a Chinese mural provided by the Chinese Historical Society of America and artwork provided by students from the Chinatown YMCA. The wrap will remain in place until the building is demolished later this year to protect the vacant building from vandalism and enhance its appearance.

“The Central Subway project is moving ahead and promises to enhance San Francisco’s transportation system and improve the quality of life for its residents,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “With strong federal, state, local and community support, this project will create jobs, invest in San Francisco’s future, and strength the connections of our City’s neighborhoods and communities.”

“This progress for the Chinatown Station is a visible sign that the Central Subway is moving from the drawing board to reality,” said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, who recently sponsored legislation that allows construction of the station to proceed. “The Central Subway will help San Francisco fulfill its promise of being a Transit First City by providing a much-needed light rail connection between established neighborhoods like Chinatown and new ones like Mission Bay.”

The Central Subway Project has contracted with Ferrari Color, a local, registered city vendor, to install the wrap. Installation of the wrap, as well as other work to secure the building and prepare it for demolition, will begin Feb. 24 and continue through mid-March. While this work is in progress, the sidewalks on the southwest corner of Stockton and Washington streets will be blocked off to foot traffic. A temporary walkway will be installed to ensure pedestrian safety.

“This building wrap is a very visible symbol of this important project moving forward,” said Ed Reiskin, the SFMTA’s Director of Transportation. “When the Central Subway is complete, the Chinatown Station will help improve public transportation in this densely populated area of San Francisco. We are committed to minimizing construction-related inconveniences, informing the public about our progress and keeping pedestrians and the community safe.”

While completing the acquisition of the building, the SFMTA aided in the relocation of 19 residential households and eight commercial businesses. All of the residential tenants have moved to new residences, including four households that have purchased homes. The eight commercial tenants have been relocated and six businesses have been relocated nearby.

The final design of the Chinatown Station has been completed, and the SFMTA plans to advertise the contract for constructing the station by the end of February.