Heavy winds topple Radio Habana Social Club parklet into Valencia St.

High winds caused the parklet of Radio Habana Social Club to topple into the bike lane on Valencia Street, creating a traffic obstruction. Co-owner Leila Mansur learned of the incident through a friend's alert and discovered city officials already on-site. The parklet, installed in 2021, was initially fixed to the street but failed to comply with city regulations requiring it to be easily removable and equipped with drainage. Fortunately, the structure's heavy-duty materials remained largely intact, though the roofing was damaged. Mansur revealed that the club has spent $600 on permits this month alone, further straining their finances.

She noted that the parklet and live music have been crucial for their survival, as they cannot currently afford to pay musicians. The social club has faced financial challenges, including a near-eviction last year. This incident adds to their struggle to remain viable in a difficult economic climate.