WHY WE’RE DOING THIS
The Hayes Street closure has now been in place for nearly five years. What began as a temporary Shared Space to support pandemic recovery has continued and discussions about its long-term future are actively unfolding. To date, much of the public narrative has been shaped by the permit holder (the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA)) along with a small group of aligned stakeholders. But that perspective doesn’t necessarily reflect the day-to-day experiences of residents, retailers, and workers most affected by the closure. After recent outreach across the neighborhood, it’s become clear that awareness varies widely — and many people are only now learning about potential long-term changes. With the closure permit up for renewal this fall and new policy frameworks in play it’s critical that the broader community is heard. This survey is one step in making that happen. It’s a chance to capture voices that have been excluded and ensure decisions reflect the full reality on the ground. If you’ve assumed this closure would quietly go away, or that bigger changes weren’t on the table …now is the time to speak up.