Why is ULI organizing this competition instead of the city?
ULI is a non-profit organization whose focus is helping cities become stronger urban settings by tapping experts to bring fresh ideas forward. As such, ULI has the experience to quickly and efficiently solicit, curate, and share ideas much easier than most cities can do themselves. That said, San Francisco and all other ULI partner cities coordinate closely to help with the process.

How was the jury selected and why?
Because this is an ideas competition that welcomes ideas from multiple lens, including those of planning, economics, real estate, design, architecture, landscape urbanism, academia, philanthropy, civic leadership, and the arts – it was imperative to recruit a jury that reflects that breadth of demonstrated expertise while also bringing with them extensive experience about vibrant cities in the United States and elsewhere.

Will this ideas competition lead to a commission?
No. This is an ideas competition where the sharing of ideas is intended to inspire San Francisco and other cities grappling with the impacts of remote work and other post pandemic shifts. The City welcomes bold ideas but is not committed to implementing any of the ideas. However, there is a generous prize fund, and ULI will promote the ideas submitted on its website.

Are there other Market Street area ideas and plans already being implemented?
Yes. San Francisco is always implementing new projects, including many that engage or are adjacent to Market Street. See the Background Book for examples of current initiatives.

What if I suggest an idea that violates current policies?
As this is an ideas competition, you are welcome to propose new policies that are viable and lead to outcomes that foster a vibrant, sustainable environment.

How far out of the box can my idea be?
Feel free to dream big. Just be sure your idea is grounded in the laws of science, economics, or human kindness.

What if my idea extends beyond Market Street?
No problem. Just be sure to show how the idea might contribute to the broader future vibe of Market Street and show the intended ripple effect into the other areas.

What if my idea is not primarily visual – how should I represent it?
You should describe the idea in clear, concise language and then show a visual representation of what kind of outcome(s) might result from the idea. As noted in the competition requirements, each entry should focus on one idea. Consider if your multi-faceted idea should really be submitted as more than one idea and entry.

What if I have a small scale, but impactful idea?
Just be sure to also show how the idea might contribute to the larger vibe of Market Street.

What if my idea has many parts?
It might be helpful to diagram how they all relate to each other and what their combined effect could be on Market Street.

How quickly would my idea need to be achievable?
We hope to see a range of scales and timelines in the entries. From ideas that could be prototyped or implemented almost immediately, to some that might be done in a few months or years, as well as some that could be part of longer-term improvements.

What if I have multiple good ideas?
If they are independent of each other, submit them as separate entries eligible for separate recognition and prizes.

How many members can be on each team?
There is no limit to the number of team members who can participate in a submission. Just be sure to list everyone involved when submitting.