Committee recommends renaming one block of Gilbert Street to honor Jeff Adachi after divided public comment

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted on Nov. 4 to forward Supervisor Matt Haney’s resolution renaming one block of Gilbert Street between Bryant and Brannon to "Jeff Adachi Way," after a lengthy public comment period that included both supporters and opponents.

Haney said he and co‑sponsors introduced the measure to honor Jeff Adachi’s decades of public service as San Francisco’s public defender and civic leader. He told the committee the item had strong backing from the Public Defender’s Office, Adachi’s family and numerous community groups, and noted the proposal includes a five‑year phase‑in during which both names would appear on the block.

Opposition came from a group of Gilbert Street residents and property owners who argued the renaming would impose real costs and burdens — they said notification and address changes for deeds, wills and other documents could be time consuming and expensive. Alex Lemieux, representing several residents, said 23 of 28 fronting properties responded to a Department of Public Works survey opposing the change and that many petitioned to keep Gilbert Street. He and others suggested naming the Public Defender’s Office building or another site instead.

Public Defender staff and many colleagues urged the naming, telling the committee that Adachi transformed the office and mentored generations of attorneys. Valerie Ibera, spokeswoman for the Public Defender’s Office, said naming a public street near the Hall of Justice would be a fitting public reminder of Adachi’s work.

Chair Peskin acknowledged neighbors’ concerns and noted Haney revised the original proposal to limit the renamed block and include a five‑year transition. Haney asked the committee to forward the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the committee approved the motion without objection.

What comes next

The resolution will go to the full Board of Supervisors for final action. The five‑year phase‑in was discussed as a mitigation for address‑change impacts to residents and businesses; supervisors said they will work with constituents to address any documented costs or hardships.

Quotes

"We miss Jeff every day… He transformed that office into a national model for public defender work," Supervisor Matt Haney said. "It is a fitting way that we will honor Jeff and his legacy."