Oracle Open World Chaos to Commence
You think Hallwoeen on the Castro is a nightmare of douche-baggie proportions? Try the Oracle Open World 2007 convention, which is happening this Sunday, November 11 through Thursday, November 15. And it sucks for us plebeians. Imagine nerds and sales tools infused with a false sense of power. (Except for any Oracle SFist reader; you're all golden.) Imagine nasty Oracle PR bitches who hangup on local media outlets trying to get a modicum of information on their lavish event. (Not very lady-like.) Imagine being called a "fag" -- twice!-- by drunk Oracle conventioneers while walking past the W Hotel. (Poor, oppressed us!) The horror, indeed.
Okay, granted, we're personalizing this a bit. We digress. But Oracle Open World causes so much congestion in the downtown/SOMA area; we're surprised that this is still allowed to go on. But we can't be that mad at them. Sure, steaming dreck like Billy Joel (oh save it, hipsters) and derivative icon Lenny Kravitz will perform for the Oraclers at the Cow Palace. But also, the witchy enchantress known as one Stevie Nicks will also cast a spell on them, so we'll credit Oracle with some semblance of taste. But just some.
Oh, and we almost forget to mention this exciting gem: Howard Street will be closed between 3rd and 4th Streets, continuously for 10 days beginning at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, November 8. until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17 to accommodate the bastards event. So, if any of you planned on driving to Bloomingdale's, the Metreon, the St. Regis, or Yerba Buena Gardens, you're out of luck. (More about the convention's traffic impact from SFMTA after the jump.)
SFMTA Announces Traffic Impacts for Oracle WorldThe San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) advises San Francisco residents and visitors of traffic impacts expected during Oracle Open World, which will occur at the Moscone Center from Sunday, November 11 through Thursday, November 15, 2007. More than 40,000 attendees are expected to attend the event.
Howard Street will be closed between 3rd Street and 4th Street continuously for 10 days beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2007 until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17 to accommodate the event.
Significant traffic congestion is anticipated in and around Moscone Center between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily for the duration of the closure. Motorists are encouraged to take public transit or use alternate routes.
The two primary detour routes:For those traveling westbound on Howard Street, the detour will direct traffic south on 2nd Street to Harrison Street.
For those traveling from north of Market on Montgomery, the detour will direct southbound traffic from New Montgomery, westbound on Howard, and south on Hawthorne to either Folsom or Harrison.
Detour signs and traffic message boards are installed along Howard Street and the detour routes. Caltrans will also activate message signs on major freeways entering the city to notify motorists of the closure.
SFMTA Parking Control Officers and San Francisco Police Officers will be deployed at key intersections prior to and during the closure.
The SFMTA's Parking and Traffic Division and Muni Operations have worked closely with the Mayor's Office, SFPD and the San Francisco Fire Department in developing the traffic control plan. Attached is a detailed PDF of the event location showing detour routes.
If you would like to receive a faxed copy of the event PDF, please send an email with your fax number and "Oracle Open World Map" in the subject line to kristen.holland@sfmta.com.