When Sparky’s, a 24-hour diner on Church Street, closed suddenly in 2016, it was a devastating loss for a city with very few late-night food options. Since then, the neighborhood favorite has sat vacant — but now, plans to demolish it have officially been approved.
240-250 Church Street will be redeveloped into a seven-story, 24-unit mixed-use apartment building, according to Hoodline. This project was proposed back in 2019, the outlet reports, but has just now been approved by the Planning Commission.
Thorough Bread and Pastry, the bakery next door to the former Sparky’s, will remain in the new building. Three of the 24 units will be designated for affordable housing, according to Hoodline. In total, there will be six one-bedrooms and 16 two-bedrooms.
The building was constructed over a century ago in 1917, but it is not considered historic by the city. The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District opposed the redevelopment project, citing concerns over the building only offering three affordable units.
“For decades, Sparky’s Diner played a critical role in the queer community as a quality 24-hour diner that offered food and safety to all who could afford a $2 or $3 cup of coffee,” CQCD secretary Stephen Torres told Hoodline. “Alas, the same would not be true of the proposed development, which would welcome only Thorough Bread and Bakery patrons, 24 lucky homeowners, and their guests.”
In the end, the Planning Commission still approved the project, with the caveat that project sponsors meet with the CQCD and discuss the possibility of adding a queer gathering space to the building.
When Sparky’s, a 24-hour diner on Church Street, closed suddenly in 2016, it was a devastating loss for a city with very few late-night food options. Since then, the neighborhood favorite has sat vacant — but now, plans to demolish it have officially been approved.
240-250 Church Street will be redeveloped into a seven-story, 24-unit mixed-use apartment building, according to Hoodline. This project was proposed back in 2019, the outlet reports, but has just now been approved by the Planning Commission.
Thorough Bread and Pastry, the bakery next door to the former Sparky’s, will remain in the new building. Three of the 24 units will be designated for affordable housing, according to Hoodline. In total, there will be six one-bedrooms and 16 two-bedrooms.
The building was constructed over a century ago in 1917, but it is not considered historic by the city. The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District opposed the redevelopment project, citing concerns over the building only offering three affordable units.
“For decades, Sparky’s Diner played a critical role in the queer community as a quality 24-hour diner that offered food and safety to all who could afford a $2 or $3 cup of coffee,” CQCD secretary Stephen Torres told Hoodline. “Alas, the same would not be true of the proposed development, which would welcome only Thorough Bread and Bakery patrons, 24 lucky homeowners, and their guests.”
In the end, the Planning Commission still approved the project, with the caveat that project sponsors meet with the CQCD and discuss the possibility of adding a queer gathering space to the building.