Lloyd Silverstein

Bilal in January 2025: Abdicating the Role of Representative

The earliest evidence of undue influence and eroded process. In January 2025, just two weeks into Supervisor Bilal Mahmood’s term, a SFMTA/ISCOTT hearing was held to consider the Head West street closure permit. This for-profit marketplace had begun seeking a higher frequency (4x) of dates in Hayes Valley during the early pandemic — compounding the impacts of the already contentious Hayes Street weekend closure. HVS and local businesses had raised concerns for years, and Head West’s expanded footprint only intensified …

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SFMTA Reviewing 4 More Sunday Closures for 2026 Despite Years of Harm to Hayes Valley Retail

The for Profit Southern California based Head West Market seeks a fast track permit approval process for 2025 despite no consensus at the neighborhood level and an apparent collusion with efforts by the HVNA for a permanent street closure on Hayes Street. January 22, 2026Post SFMTA ISCOTT Hearing Update Political Pressure Overwhelms Permitting ProcessOn Thursday, January 22, 2026, SFMTA/ISCOTT approved a 4-date street closure permit for the for-profit Head West Market, despite four years of community opposition and strong testimony …

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Linden for Me, Hayes for Thee

How San Francisco’s Living Alley Rules Undercut the Hayes Street Closure and Reveal a Double Standard on Linden Purpose of this briefThis brief examines how San Francisco’s Living Alley guidelines define temporary street and alley closures as small-scale, low-impact, and resident-protective, and how the long-running closure of the 400 block of Hayes Street departs from those principles in practice. It further examines how Living Alley standards are applied rigorously on Linden, a designated Living Alley, while materially different standards are …

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400 Block of Hayes Street Closure Permit Past Updates Archive

permit renewal update Update November 19th, 2023 Last week this resolution was passed and adopted by the SFMTA board; because concerns and questions have emerged from this we will be continuing to monitor this initiative and provide updates accordingly. At this time we encourage you to sign and share our citywide petition to stave off a permanent street closure on Hayes St. JOIN the CITYWIDE PETITIONWe urge every San Franciscan who believes in a fair and equitable process for SFMTA …

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The “Abbot-Kinnification” of Hayes Valley — A Neighborhood Takeover in Real Time

There’s been a quiet but calculated effort underway to turn Hayes Valley into the next Abbot Kinney. If that reference doesn’t land immediately, it should because the pattern is already unfolding in real time. Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach was once a quirky, eclectic strip filled with independent shops, creatives, and community culture. But over time thanks to a toxic mix of real estate speculation, political favoritism, and design-by-marketing, it became a sterile playground of luxury brands, overpriced “experiences,” …

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EZ Is the New Formula Retail

How San Francisco’s “Activation” Agenda Is Gutting the Neighborhood Economy Again Hayes Valley once set the bar for protecting small business. Its 2004 formula retail ban was designed to block chain stores and preserve a local-serving economy. But over the years, City Hall has quietly chipped away at those protections first by making exceptions, then by ignoring them outright. Now, a new threat is taking root: Entertainment Zones (EZs). And if you think they’re about vibrancy, think again. They’re about …

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SFMTA ISCOTT Hearing for Hayes Valley Head West Event – 4th Date

June 25, 2025 Dear SFMTA & ISCOTT:  We are writing to formally oppose the proposed 4th event date for Head West in Hayes Valley. Our position on this issue has been clear and consistent: this event causes significant financial harm and directly undermines the ability of small businesses in Hayes Valley to operate and survive. Based on vendor counts and current rates, Head West is estimated to generate over $50,000 per event – while neighborhood merchants face tens of thousands in …

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