Fillmore Safeway closure prompts community outcry; Supervisor Mahmood to seek hearing

Multiple community members and neighborhood groups pressed the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 to respond to the pending closure of the Safeway on Fillmore, describing the loss as a threat to food access, medical services and neighborhood stability. Several supervisors told the audience they would act to ensure community input.

Supervisor Balal Mahmood, newly sworn in as District 5 supervisor, said his office will file paperwork to hold a hearing in the Land Use Committee so residents can get answers about the Safeway closure and neighborhood impacts. "I will be introducing on the land use committee ... a hearing so that the community can be heard and have transparency about what is the history of this project? What are we going to do now? What are we going to do next?" Mahmood said.

Mahmood told the board his staff had visited the store and reported there was no longer produce or meat being restocked and that prescription services would continue only until Feb. 7. "From conversations with store managers and clerks, ... we learned that there is no more produce or meat available and will likely not be reordered. There is pharmaceutical services though and prescription services until February 7," he said.

Community speakers described the closure as a potential "food desert" threat to seniors, refugee communities and low-income residents. Marlene Morgan, president of the Cathedral Neighborhood Association and co-chair of the Van Ness Quarter Neighborhood Association, said the community wants a transitional plan and coordination with city departments "before this sale is concluded." She asked for security plans, a construction plan and community engagement about future uses.

Other public commenters representing Fillmore community groups called for a public process, referenced historic disinvestment and asked the board to consider community ownership or a community trust. Several speakers said earlier redevelopment in the Fillmore had displaced Black residents and warned the community should not be excluded from negotiations on future uses of the site.

Why it matters: Speakers said the Fillmore Safeway provides essential groceries, pharmacy access and banking to seniors and families in the Western Addition, Fillmore and Japantown areas, and its loss would disproportionately affect those populations.

Next steps: Supervisor Mahmood said he will formally request a Land Use Committee hearing; board staff and the mayor's office indicated a willingness to work with the supervisor and community groups to identify short-, medium- and long-term responses. The board did not take formal action on the store's sale or closure during this meeting.