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Street artists urge Port to preserve selling spaces during Jefferson Street rebuild; staff promises follow‑up
Summary
Street artists and neighborhood representatives told the Port Commission they want their selling spaces preserved when Jefferson Street is rebuilt; Port staff said construction will begin Jan. 2, 2013, and committed to working with the Arts Commission, CBD and tenants to identify sidewalk space after construction.
At the Port Commission’s Dec. 18 meeting, the Port presented Phase 1 of the Jefferson Street public‑realm project — extending from Jones Street to Hyde with new 15‑foot sidewalks, a 24‑foot roadway (one lane each direction) and eliminated parking within the project limits — and said construction would begin Jan. 2, 2013 with expected completion around June 2013.
Street artists and sellers packed the public comment period. Tad Sky (street artist) delivered a petition signed by more than 25 artists requesting that the Port preserve the same number of selling spaces after construction as exist today. Multiple other artists and representatives — including John Tunney, Steven Phillips, Deborah King, Kathy (last name unclear), Larry Rosenbaum and Brian Hopper — spoke about the artists’ role in enlivening the Wharf and said they had held meetings with port staff but had received no definitive guarantee that their selling spaces would be retained.
"We feel that we add to the colorful ambiance and mix of activities that draw worldwide visitors," Tad Sky told commissioners, asking that the Port "provide the same number of selling spaces as we have at the present time." Several speakers also emphasized that street artists help protect nearby businesses by serving as informal stewards and by drawing visitors.
Port staff (Susan Reynolds, director of real estate, and other staff) said they have been coordinating with the Arts Commission and the Community Benefit District to evaluate where sidewalk space will exist once construction is complete. Staff said artists would likely not be permitted to operate during active construction for safety reasons but pledged to work with the artists and tenants to determine opportunities in the finished street sections and to return with a public update after construction milestones.
What was decided
No formal decision was made at the meeting to guarantee artist selling spaces; staff committed to continued coordination with artists, the Arts Commission and the Community Benefit District and to provide follow‑up with details once the sidewalks were completed.
Why it matters
Jefferson Street’s redesign will physically change the Wharf’s pedestrian environment and could reduce or reconfigure space used by long‑standing street artists. Artists argued that retaining selling spaces supports economic access and waterfront diversity, while staff said safety and tenant access during construction limit what can occur before the project is completed.
