Q: Didn’t HVNA represent the neighborhood when they backed this?
HVNA is not Hayes Valley. Its membership represents barely 1% of the neighborhood.
Q: How can foot traffic not bring more business to retail?
A: Because foot traffic alone isn’t enough. The closure blocks curb access, deters casual visitors, and shifts activity toward bars while hurting shops that rely on turnover, deliveries, and convenience. Our surveys show people bypass Hayes for easier destinations.
Q: Why don’t you just sue already?
A: Bad governance isn’t always illegal — and that’s the real problem. The Hayes Street closure runs on a temporary permit that’s been renewed week after week despite documented violations. Our fight is about transparency, fairness, and accountability — policy made by a very narrow few, yet impacting an entire city. That should concern every San Franciscan. And yes, we consult with legal experts. We haven’t ruled out any options.
Q: Who are the businesses against the closure?
A: Many longtime Hayes Valley businesses — retail and service — have raised concerns. We don’t publish names because these businesses have faced boycotts and retaliation in the past. Our role is to protect them, not expose them. But make no mistake: the harm to local shops is real, documented, and ongoing.
Q: I hate cars, and I hate you for wanting the street open.
A: This isn’t about cars vs. no cars. It’s about balance. The closure replaced a neighborhood-serving street with an unmanaged, one-sided experiment. Reopening Hayes restores access for all — families, seniors, deliveries, and small businesses while still allowing parklets, walkability, and public space. Hayes Valley deserves both vibrancy and fairness.
Q: Who’s actually in charge here, the Supervisor or SFMTA?
A: That’s part of the problem. SFMTA manages the permit, but the Supervisor has used political pressure to keep it alive. The agency initially recommended against renewal, then reversed course under heavy influence. We’ve spoken with both and what we see is a system where political favors override public process. That’s not how city governance should work.
Q: Isn’t this about climate and reducing car use?
A: We agree with climate goals — but closing one block doesn’t solve the problem. It just shifts traffic, congestion, and emissions to surrounding streets. Real climate action means better transit, safer biking, and balanced planning — not symbolic closures that divide neighborhoods and hurt small business.
Q: What’s your issue with the events on Hayes?
A: Events aren’t the problem — it’s how they’re done. Permits are given to the same few organizers with no accountability, leaving others shut out or harmed by street access loss and vendor competition. We support well-managed community events, not selective ones that turn public space into private promotion.
Q: Why focus so much energy on one block?
A: Because one block can set citywide precedent. Hayes is being used as the test case for permanent “entertainment zones” (policy written without public consent). If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.
Q: Why not just compromise — keep it closed weekends only?
A: Compromise is how we got here. The closure began as a “temporary experiment,” and it was disastrous. We fought hard and won to reopen the 300 and 500 blocks. SFMTA itself planned to end the 400 block closure for the same reasons: economic harm, safety issues, and lack of balance. Those problems have only worsened. But the HVNA and a few insiders have an ideology they won’t let go of — even when the facts are clear. Hayes Street was a thriving corridor before this. It didn’t need to be “reimagined,” just respected.
Check back as we update this page with new questions and answers.