November 7 call-to-action: Urge SFMTA Board to Approve Friday/Saturday Schedule
Nov 7 update: We did it! Measure passed. Hayes Street will be car-free every Friday evening and Saturday for the next year. Thanks to everyone for your support. Now onward to a fully pedestrianized Hayes Street!
TL;DR: Click here to submit public comment to the SFMTA Board, approve the proposed Friday and Saturday schedule, and create a process to get to a 24/7 pedestrianized Hayes Street (this should open your email program, if it doesn’t, use the email template below).
Email template
To: MTABoard@SFMTA.com
CC: comment@carfreehayes.orgSubject: Approve item 10.5 (Hayes Street Shared Spaces) with a Friday and Saturday schedule, and direct staff to design a process to pedestrianize a streetSFMTA Board:
Please approve item 10.5 (Hayes Street Shared Spaces) as-recommended, with a Friday and Saturday schedule, and also direct SFMTA staff to design a process to pedestrianize a street.
The community has heard SFMTA staff feedback regarding activation loud and clear. Since the last SFMTA Board meeting on Oct 17, the community has held 5 events on Hayes Street Shared Spaces, and have scheduled 8 more by the end of the year. 7 of these events are scheduled on Fridays. The community is committed to making this a viable program.
With our Transit First, Climate Action, and Vision Zero goals, San Francisco should be leading the world in pedestrianized spaces. Please approve the Friday and Saturday schedule, and direct SFMTA to design a process to pedestrianize a street, giving our community a path to a 24/7 pedestrianized Hayes Street.
Thank you for your time.This coming Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the SFMTA Board will vote on the Hayes Street Shared Spaces program. The agenda item recommends a schedule of Friday, 4-10pm, and Saturday 1pm-10pm.
Please provide public comment at this SFMTA Board Meeting in person if you are able, or via email if you are not. Let the SFMTA Board know that you want this proposed Friday/Saturday schedule approved, and for the program to be expanded!
While supporting a Friday/Saturday schedule is a step backwards from the current Fri/Sat/Sun schedule, it does move the Hayes Street Shared Spaces program from its pandemic era temporary status to permanent Shared Spaces status. I think this is a worthy compromise, and progresses us towards our eventual goal of a 24/7 pedestrianized Hayes Street.
Based on feedback from SFMTA staff, the community has come together to organize events to activate the street. This includes , a Pet Parade, a Trick or Treat Trail, a Holiday Stroll, and ten live music performances. Six of the music performances, plus the Holiday Stroll, are scheduled on Fridays.