{"id":47886,"date":"2026-04-24T12:32:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T19:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=47886"},"modified":"2026-04-24T12:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T19:33:01","slug":"supervisor-wants-to-bring-market-streets-future-into-focus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/24\/supervisor-wants-to-bring-market-streets-future-into-focus\/","title":{"rendered":"Supervisor wants to bring Market Street&#8217;s future into focus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/users\/profile\/James%20Salazar\">By James Salazar | Examiner staff writer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apr 23, 2026 (SFExaminer.com)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/sfexaminer.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/5\/b3\/5b3df024-5ae9-4c78-a09e-839c873db303\/67e62028052dd.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267\" alt=\"Bilal Mahmood\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Supervisor Bilal Mahmood\u2019s upcoming hearing will address improvements to Mid-Market public transit, spaces and small business because \u201cwhen we have a vision of connecting one end of the The City to another, Market Street has to be at the core of that vision,\u201d he said.Craig Lee\/The Examiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Supervisor Bilal Mahmood said he wants city departments to come together and share their plans for shaping the future of Market Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The District 5 representative on the Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing at the Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting on Monday to discuss how local leaders plan to make concentrated investments along the corridor that connects the Civic Center area with downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City officials have made changes to the corridor over the past year. In August, ride-hail vehicles were re-introduced to the corridor from Van Ness Avenue to the foot of Market Street&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/transit\/sf-market-street-is-not-final-frontier-for-waymo-in-city\/article_f24ce412-2a44-40f1-9aeb-ec20c1e1b90e.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">following a five-year ban<\/a>. Earlier in 2025, public-transportation service in the area was reduced, with buses turning around&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/transit\/sfmta-says-new-service-cut-proposal-maintains-connections\/article_c1b8fe58-0041-11f0-91cb-1746fd514e84.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">before reaching the eastern end of Market Street<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mahmood said Monday\u2019s hearing will focus on how investments in public transit, outdoor spaces and small businesses can meet the needs of an evolving area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen we have a vision of connecting one end of The City to another, Market Street has to be at the core of that vision,\u201d Mahmood said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Six years ago, local leaders developed a plan to transform more than two miles of Market Street between Steuart Street and Octavia Boulevard as part of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/archives\/better-or-worse-sf-scales-back-ambitions-for-market-street-makeover\/article_00c652f5-1de7-571c-bcc8-988011afdb4d.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Better Market Street project<\/a>. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project\u2019s start date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, crews have modernized traffic signals, made sidewalks more accessible, added foliage to provide shade and cooler temperatures, and shortened the distance pedestrians have to cover when crossing intersections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mahmood said the upcoming hearing will give city agencies and departments opportunities to see how previous projects and others in The City\u2019s pipeline can support future ideas, such as the supervisor\u2019s recent push to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/community\/mid-market-theater-district-plan\/article_5ea95d94-2100-4844-b7b1-7910339d7682.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">create a Mid-Market theater arts district<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City departments will focus on Market Street between 5th and 9th streets because \u201cwhen people think of downtown San Francisco and sometimes the negative perception about it, they\u2019re really thinking about the Mid-Market area,\u201d Mahmood said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUnless we solve the Mid-Market area, we\u2019re never going to change the perception of San Francisco,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is the image people see on TV.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/transit\/sfmta-project-would-improve-service-on-this-busy-muni-line\/article_02243f77-d2b4-450f-b0a2-6081d3ed1586.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency<\/a>&nbsp;plans to discuss how sharing the street with ride-hail vehicles has influenced the degree to which people use alternative transportation methods such as buses or bicycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mahmood said he also wants to see whether or not the Better Market Street project goals conceived in 2020 are still capable of meeting present community needs, such as making roads safer for pedestrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u2018Unless we solve the Mid-Market area, we\u2019re never going to change the perception of San Francisco.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bilal Mahmood, District 5 supervisor<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ex \/\/ Top Stories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/public-health\/mobile-center-aims-to-connect-san-franciscans-with-benefits\/article_17ef4b01-8304-4d09-996f-be35f47053bc.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">New mobile center aims to connect San Franciscans with benefits<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The City unveiled on Thursday a new enrollment office&nbsp;housed within a vehicle that\u2019s part of an effort to meet residents who rely on Medi-Cal or CalFresh where they are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/public-health\/dph-report-highlights-gaps-in-security-safety-at-clinic\/article_7b8b05dc-9694-41ef-8139-fe3f2dfd87ec.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">DPH report finds gaps in security, safety at site of fatal stabbing<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The City released a report that includes a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the December stabbing death of a Ward 86 worker<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/lurie-offers-tough-medicine-for-massive-sf-deficit-ills\/article_3434801b-7700-436e-8caf-5ae72f4b4bf1.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">Disagreement looms over how to confront massive city budget deficits<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>City officials must figure out how to manage spending that is projected to produce a deficit of more than $1 billion in fiscal year 2029-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/urban-development\/sf-is-slower-than-other-cities-in-issuing-housing-permits\/article_4049aac3-608e-4c06-a03b-bf2ef1d2b1f7.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Planning Department<\/a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/san-francisco-backs-commercial-graffiti-abatement-program\/article_44f44735-fff3-447f-8ba4-d0099f0cc6a3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Public Works<\/a>&nbsp;are expected to provide updates on how their agencies\u2019 investments in publicly accessible spaces such as sidewalks, plazas and other areas are enhancing the quality of life for people who live, work, commute to and visit the Mid-Market Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/business\/sf-grant-program-brings-small-businesses-to-the-tenderloin\/article_d12d7053-a9fa-4d39-bd54-bd53ce0a3a5b.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Economic and Workforce Development<\/a>&nbsp;is set to detail how the department is investing in small businesses, whether through filling vacant storefronts or providing grant money and other funding to established neighborhood proprietors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To bring foot traffic into the area, OEWD worked with other city leaders to create the Mid-Market Entertainment Zone. During special events, visitors can enjoy to-go drinks outside while perusing nearby businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fernando Pujals, executive director of the Mid-Market Business Association and Foundation, said the area\u2019s momentum has trended positively in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4\" height=\"3\" src=\"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-74.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47890\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mid-Market area is home to five major live-entertainment venues, including Golden Gate Theatre at the&nbsp;corner of&nbsp;Taylor Street and Golden Gate Avenue.Craig Lee\/The Examiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The area is home to five major live-entertainment venues, all of which combine to draw over one million visitors a year to the area. Pujals\u2019 foundation has worked with other community organizations to enliven city streets by bringing in artists and performers on a weekly basis. In addition to new business openings, six buildings in the neighborhood changed hands last year, according to the association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat we need now is a significant increase in public investment, with all city departments moving together under a unified approach,\u201d Pujals said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pujals said a vibrant Mid-Market area is one that can support the large cultural venues that call the neighborhood home, as well as elevate its cluster of independent arts groups, local shops and restaurants, individual artists, and other small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome of this is happening, but the scale and coordination aren\u2019t there yet \u2014 and that\u2019s what this hearing should address,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With local officials and elected leaders pouring attention and resources into other parts of San Francisco such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/the-city\/public-private-vision-for-30-million-embarcadero-plaza-overhaul-advances\/article_ca075db0-8cde-11ef-bee6-ffe667b08e53.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Embarcadero<\/a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/the-city\/california-street-cable-car-stops-set-for-aesthetic-upgrades\/article_6ebe716c-e299-11ef-819b-3741e814607c.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">area near Powell Street\u2019s cable-car turnaround<\/a>, Mahmood said that San Francisco has an opportunity to presently tap into an \u201cenergy in The City right now around economic revitalization around downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said conversations with his constituents have reinforced the belief that areas near Mid-Market, such as the Tenderloin and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/the-city\/dormant-sf-civic-center-revival-plan-surprisingly-resurfaces\/article_06ad1dd5-7c42-444f-98ac-80ffb40fd317.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Civic Center<\/a>, should be part of San Francisco\u2019s overall renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWithout a Tenderloin or Civic Center revitalization, you will not have a downtown revitalization,\u201d Mahmood said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/users\/profile\/James%20Salazar\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/sfexaminer.com\/content\/tncms\/avatars\/4\/ef\/917\/4ef917fc-d70b-11ec-a203-bf72021caa8e.9be250065332c15dfd08167abfd38956.png?_dc=1666718661\" alt=\"James Salazar\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/users\/profile\/James%20Salazar\">James Salazar<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Neighborhoods &amp; Culture Correspondent<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Supervisor Bilal Mahmood said he wants city departments to come together and share their plans for shaping the future of Market Street. The District 5 representative on the Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing at the Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting on Monday to discuss how local leaders&#8230; <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/24\/supervisor-wants-to-bring-market-streets-future-into-focus\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47886"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47886"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47886\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47891,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47886\/revisions\/47891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}