Six Years Is Enough. It’s Time to Reopen Hayes Street.

The Hayes Street closure began as a temporary measure in 2020. After six years of annual renewals, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA) is now seeking a two-year permit for the first time, extending the recurring closure through November 2028.

Throughout successive permit renewals, residents and merchants have repeatedly raised concerns about permit compliance, street access, enforcement, and the ongoing diversion of the 6-Hayes bus at public expense. During this period, the neighborhood has also experienced substantial retail turnover, while affected merchants have reported harm to their businesses. Questions about transportation costs, emergency access, and meaningful community engagement remain unresolved despite years of correspondence and requests for answers.

Over time, Hayes Street has increasingly been treated as a venue for organized programming and events. But filling a roadway with activities does not establish that it needs to remain closed every weekend. Hayes Street is a functioning commercial and transportation corridor, and its long-term needs should not be subordinated to maintaining an event schedule.

Neighborhood events can continue without requiring Hayes Street to remain closed every weekend. Hayes Valley already has public spaces for gathering, and organizers can apply for individual event permits when they wish to use public streets.

The City has yet to demonstrate why this recurring closure is necessary or why reopening Hayes Street is not a reasonable alternative.

Six years is enough. The City should end the recurring closure and restore Hayes Street to ordinary circulation, rather than authorize another two years of the same arrangement.

The proposed renewal will be reviewed by ISCOTT on November 12, ahead of an expected SFMTA Board hearing on December 1.

We are asking residents, merchants, and other concerned San Franciscans to send a short letter opposing the proposed two-year renewal and calling for Hayes Street to reopen to ordinary circulation.

Hayes Valley Safe has followed the Hayes Street closure since its inception in 2020. What began as a neighborhood concern has grown into years of advocacy, correspondence, and over 100 weeks of documented observations. We’re grateful to the residents, merchants, and neighbors who have contributed their time, experiences, photographs, and support along the way. Our documented six-year timeline brings much of that history together. If you have questions about the closure or the renewal process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned.

Letters must be submitted by Wednesday noon.
ISCOTT Hearing is scheduled for this Thursday November 12th at 9am.
To attend the hearing follow steps outlined on the agenda.