UCSF faculty, staff, students and neighbors are invited to join the fun at the Second Annual Mission Bay Block Party on Wednesday, Oct. 1, celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of retail space on Gene Friend Way at the Mission Bay campus.
UCSF will host two celebrations: a noontime party and a late afternoon happy hour concert. Both will feature food and drink specials, free raffles, coupons, games and live entertainment. The lunchtime gathering takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m., and includes face painting for kids and free chair massages. The happy hour party, which runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m., will offer wine and beer specials and a live performance.
“Last year’s party was great,” says Tamara Villarina, Retail Services assistant with Campus Life Services. “A thousand people attended, and it was really great to see such support for our Mission Bay retail vendors.”
The Mission Bay retail space is located at the main entrance to the new life sciences campus for teaching and research. The plaza is adjacent to the east side of the four-building housing facility, and is the main pedestrian gateway to campus from MUNI’s T-Third streetcar line. The outdoor space also showcases sculptor Richard Serra’s massive steel sculpture, titled Ballast, which engages the entire space of the plaza between 3rd and 4th streets.
Gene Friend Way is home to eateries Caffe Terzetto, Peasant Pies and Subway. Bank of America and Wells Fargo ATMs have recently opened on the plaza as well.
“The plaza was designed to be an outdoor gathering space on the Mission Bay campus for the community to eat, socialize and relax,” says Villarina. “The block party is an opportunity to utilize the plaza for what it was intended for.”
A portion of the proceeds from Retail Services vendors is reinvested into campus enrichment activities such as concerts and cultural events.
Customers of Caffe Terzetto, Peasant Pies and Subway may receive up to one hour of discounted parking with validation at the Mission Bay parking garage at 1650 3rd St. The discounted parking rate will be available with a purchase of $5 or more at any vendor. Customers may park up to 20 minutes for free.
For more information about the block party, contact Retail Services at 415/514-1395.
