The prolonged closure of the 400 block of Hayes Street may seem like a hyperlocal decision but it’s become one of San Francisco’s most quietly consequential public space policies.
This isn’t just a story about a street. It’s a window into what happens when small business voices are sidelined, when public process breaks down, and when public space is repurposed without public consensus. It’s about who benefits, who’s excluded, and what that says about the future of our neighborhoods.
Through this series, we’re documenting what’s happening on the ground, who’s being impacted, and why it matters far beyond just one block.
How a locked bulletin board reveals a long-standing pattern of exclusion in Hayes Valley. It was billed as a public resource: a new bulletin board installed on Parcel K in the heart of Hayes Valley, just steps from the now-controversial 400 block street closure. But like many recent “community” initiatives in the neighborhood, what was framed as public and inclusive … Read post
The small business perspective on the gatekeeping, intimidation, and broken politics behind the Hayes Street road block. When speaking up comes with consequences, staying quiet becomes a form of protection. That’s the reality for many small business owners in Hayes Valley who have been navigating the fallout of the prolonged Hayes Street closure. In Part 1, we explored the operational … Read post
In light of recent developments regarding the closure on Hayes Street, we’re answering the two top questions we ask and have been asked as of late:Who does a Supervisor really serve?And have you even talked to Bilal about the closure?Yes, we did. Once. It was a meeting that left the room stunned and the community even more demoralized. What follows … Read post
A reflection on advocacy, frustration, and the failed policy behind the Hayes Street closure. We never imagined we’d have to fight this hard for fairness. Like many others, we simply cared about our neighborhood-its businesses, its streets, and the people who live and work here every day. But once the aim evolved to keeping the street closed, and the impacts … Read post
A firsthand account of what happens when small business voices are ignored. What began as a temporary pandemic era street closure has now dragged on for years…disrupting commerce, dividing the community, and pushing small businesses to the brink. For many, the weekend closure of the 400 block of Hayes Street looks like a feel good policy: no cars, more foot … Read post
A Street Closure That Fails the Climate, the Community, and Common Sense You’ve probably heard the pitch: closing streets is good for the environment. Fewer cars, more walk-ability, climate wins. But here’s what actually happens when the 400 block of Hayes Street is closed and why it undermines the very goals it claims to support. Let’s be real: Hayes Valley … Read post
The Public Space Power Play in Hayes Valley Hayes Valley boasts some of San Francisco’s most expansive and elaborate parklets. Many occupy multiple parking spaces, are outfitted with semi-permanent structures, some so large they’re jokingly referred to as “boat-sized”…and were originally installed during the pandemic to help businesses stay afloat. Most bars and restaurants in the area have since expressed … Read post
Why One Permit Holder’s European Fantasy Is Hurting a Real San Francisco Neighborhood 1. Barcelona is the wrong comparison. Barcelona has entire districts designed around walk-ability—with multi-modal transit, wide boulevards, and dense, mixed-use zoning. Hayes Street is one small commercial corridor. Shutting it down without a network of supportive infrastructure doesn’t replicate Barcelona…it isolates it. Key Points: 2. This isn’t … Read post
Hayes Street is more than just a place to eat or stroll, it’s a working commercial corridor that small, locally owned businesses and longtime residents depend on. The City is now quietly considering turning the heart of Hayes Valley into a permanent “entertainment zone”, a space with open alcohol, constant programming, and year round street closure. At first glance, it … Read post