A Study Without a Decision: Why Has Hayes Street Never Been Allowed to Reopen?
What began as a temporary COVID-era street closure is now being treated as something permanent. Recent public records show that District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood directly requested and drove the City’s initiation of a Public Life Study on Hayes Street, with the Planning Department leading the technical work in coordination with SFMTA, SFCTA, and the Supervisor’s own office. This is not a minor administrative step. It is a coordinated, interagency effort to evaluate and potentially lock in the future of …
Koshland Park Isn’t Just About a Gate
A local park, a proposed change, and a process that left neighbors with more questions than answers. What Happened On Saturday, neighbors gathered at Koshland Park for a Recreation & Park hosted open house on the upcoming playground renewal project. What was presented as an opportunity to learn more and provide input instead left many attendees with more questions than answers. The format, an informal drop-in session with no agenda or presentation, made it difficult to understand what was being …
Who Set the Direction on Hayes Street?
Over the past year, a small group centered around the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA) and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood quietly set the direction for the future of the 400 block of Hayes Street.A study was launched.Funding was secured.Agencies were coordinated. For the small businesses and neighbors who actually live and work here, one question stands out:How did this happen without us? What the records show Public records reveal a clear, predetermined sequence that bypassed the community: This follows the same …
The Gap Between Law and Practice on Hayes Street
For years, the conversation around Hayes Street has been framed as a question of preference…whether one supports it or not. But that framing misses something more fundamental. Because underneath the debate is a different question entirely: Is the current use of Hayes Street aligned with the legal and policy framework that governs street closures in California? What the Law Actually Says California law allows cities to temporarily close streets under specific conditions (see California Vehicle Code §21101.4). Closures are intended …
HVNA and UCBerkeley Coordinated Study of the Hayes Street Closure Debrief
A summary of key findings, limitations, and omissions A group of UC Berkeley students produced a study comparing user behavior on the 400 block of Hayes Street under non-closure, closure, and event-based conditions. Closure supporters have cited the report as evidence that the street has become a “thriving public space.” The study was explicitly created “to support the long-term continuation of the Hayes Valley closure.” The authors worked directly with the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA) to align the research …
Who Enforces a Permit in the Public Right-of-Way?
Over the past several years, residents and businesses have been repeatedly encouraged by SFMTA staff to document and report conditions, impacts, and potential violations related to the Hayes Street closure and the permit governing the use of the street. Many people have done exactly that. Photographs, written reports, and formal correspondence have been submitted documenting a wide range of concerns — from operational issues to questions about whether the conditions of the permit are being followed. Yet a basic question …
If the Goal Is Better Public Space in Hayes Valley, Let’s Talk About Real Options
For several years, the public conversation about Hayes Street has been framed as a simple choice:Support the street closure — or oppose public space. That framing is false. Many residents, merchants, and stakeholders have consistently supported the idea of improving Hayes Valley’s public spaces. What has been missing is a genuine willingness from City Hall and those shaping the current proposal to consider the full range of ideas that could strengthen the neighborhood without harming its business corridor. Instead, the …