November 19, 2025
Sent to: City Administrator’s Office
We are writing to follow up once more on the unresolved issues surrounding the Parcel K bulletin board. As our correspondence over the past two years reflects, this matter remains entirely unaddressed by your office despite repeated assurances that someone would review, respond, or provide a path forward. During this time, the board has continued to function as an exclusive communications platform for one neighborhood faction including the promotion of policy positions and events tied to the permanent Hayes Street closure while other City-recognized neighborhood groups remain categorically excluded. Our flyers and updates have been removed repeatedly by HVNA representatives, and more importantly, we should not have to ask them for permission to post. This is occurring on City-owned property under an active lease.
Given recent developments in the neighborhood and the City’s renewed focus on transparency, it is important that this issue finally be resolved.
We are therefore asking for the following:
• Who within the City Administrator’s Office is now responsible for this matter following Douglas Legg’s departure?
• What is the City’s position on ensuring equal access and neutrality for publicly accessible boards on City-owned land?
• Will the City allow a simple, reasonable remedy – equal posting rights for all City-recognized neighborhood groups and impacted corridor merchants… to prevent ongoing exclusion and viewpoint discrimination?
In addition, we want to be clear that this issue is not limited to our two neighborhood groups. Multiple small business owners on Hayes Street have recently expressed interest in posting their own materials — including event notices, safety information, and advocacy positions – only to learn they have no access to this board because it is being controlled by one organization. This contradicts the stated intent of a public-serving “community board.”
While we previously proposed a modest compromise (a small, fixed listing of contact information), the circumstances have since evolved. Given the continued exclusion and the board’s expanding use to advance curated messages from a single viewpoint, we want to reaffirm that all City-recognized groups and impacted corridor merchants should have equal ability to post flyers, materials, and viewpoints –without seeking permission from HVNA or any private actor. If the current controlling parties are unwilling to support equal access or insist on maintaining exclusive control, we would welcome a dialogue with your office to identify an alternative bulletin board location on Parcel K or another nearby public site where equal and neutral access can be guaranteed.
We understand this may appear to be a small administrative matter for a very busy department, but the consequences for our neighborhood have been significant. A public-facing asset should not be used to advance the interests of one group while suppressing others – particularly at a time when major planning and permitting decisions are being shaped.
— HVS
This correspondence has been edited for clarity and conciseness. Routine greetings, scheduling notes, and contact details have been omitted; the substance of the communication remains unchanged.