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Board adopts Central Market community benefit district after ballot shows 68.51% support
Summary
After a public hearing with supporters and neutral stakeholders, property ballots favored creation of the Central Market Community Benefit District 68.51% to 31.49%. The Board of Supervisors adopted the resolution establishing the seven‑year assessment district.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on Oct. 31 to establish the Central Market Community Benefit District after a weighted property ballot showed 68.51% in favor and 31.49% opposed.
Proponents said the assessment will fund cleaning, safety and neighborhood programs targeted at the Mid‑Market/Central Market area. Sharon Slater, chair of the CBD steering committee, said the final plan reflects “major compromise on both sides” after outreach to neighborhood groups and property owners and asked the board for approval.
“Earlier this year, we felt that we had enough support from the property owners, so we went out to the community,” Slater said. “What we ended up with was major compromise on both sides.”
Supporters at the hearing included property managers and business groups. Greg Johnson of CAC Real Estate Management Co. said his company represents multiple Market Street properties and urged the board to approve the district. “We look forward to the opportunity of working with the CBD to establish an effective business improvement district,” Johnson said.
Workers and tenants also testified in favor. Bernadette Walter, who said she represents 36 working families at 989 Market Street, cited an incident log the occupants have kept and thanked the board for the compromises made during negotiations.
Neighborhood organizations that helped shape the plan said they would remain watchdogs during implementation. Carolyn Diamond, executive director of the Market Street Association, said community benefits districts have improved other San Francisco neighborhoods and argued Market Street is “deserving of a CBD.”
Several speakers noted unique elements of the district plan. Michael Yarni of the Martin Building Company, a steering‑committee member, said the district will grant 50% of board seats to non‑property owners and establish a 1:1 matching funds program tying spending on police patrols to equal investments in outreach and pedestrian‑safety programs.
Some stakeholders described themselves as neutral and urged continued community engagement during implementation. Michael Nolte, president of Alliance for District 6, said several constituencies still need clarity about their roles and the services the district will provide.
After the public hearing closed, the clerk completed the tabulation and reported the ballot result: 68.51% in favor, 31.49% opposed. The board then voted to adopt the resolution establishing the district, Community Benefit District No. 6.
The board recessed after the vote and listed next steps for implementation and administration of the district.
