Committee backs expansion of Little Italy Honor Walk plaques in North Beach

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 July 28 to recommend a resolution authorizing placement of additional commemorative sidewalk plaques across North Beach for the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk.

The resolution would identify blocks where future plaques may be placed without returning to the board for individual authorization, while keeping Arts Commission review of plaque designs and requiring the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk organization to procure, install and maintain the plaques at no cost to the city. The item was prepared as a potential committee report for consideration at the full board meeting on July 29, 2025.

Michelle Andrews, legislative aide for Supervisor Danny Sauter, told the committee the measure builds on a prior authorization and on three already installed plaques honoring George Moscone, Mariana Bertola and A.P. Giannini. Andrews said the new language gives the neighborhood flexibility to place future plaques where neighborhood partners and DPW identify suitable locations, without the group having to return to the board for each plaque.

Nick Fagone, speaking for the San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk, said the program aims to educate residents and visitors and to support local businesses. “On every plaque there’s a QR code that leads to a website,” Fagone said, describing recent unveilings attended by children and community members.

Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar moved to send the resolution out of committee with a positive recommendation. The motion carried with Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Member Bilal Mahmood recorded as voting yes; the clerk announced three ayes and the item will appear on the board’s agenda for consideration on July 29, 2025.

The resolution does not modify Arts Commission review or create a city-funded plaque program; the nonprofit sponsor remains responsible for costs and maintenance.

The committee record includes written comments from the North Beach Business Association asking that North Beach be treated differently from other commercial districts; the resolution’s text preserves Arts Commission design review and DPW site-permitting steps. The committee closed public comment after hearing from the neighborhood sponsor and recommended the item for the full board.

Follow-up: the item will be transmitted to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration at its July 29, 2025 meeting.