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Committee forwards resolution to rename Gilbert Street to Jeff Adachi Way after extensive public testimony
Summary
After lengthy public comment both supporting and opposing a renaming, the committee voted to forward a resolution of intent to rename a short block of Gilbert Street to Jeff Adachi Way to the full Board with a positive recommendation and promised additional outreach to affected residents.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee moved a resolution of intent to rename Gilbert Street (the short block near 850 Bryant that includes the Public Defender’s staff entrance) to Jeff Adachi Way to the full Board with a positive recommendation following extensive public testimony.
Sponsor Supervisor Matt Haney described the technical process if the resolution passes: Public Works would conduct outreach and notify property owners; the assessor’s office would update records (Haney said updates occur about 10 days after final passage); USPS would be notified; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency would install new street signs, and the signs would show "Gilbert Street" beneath "Jeff Adachi Way" for five years before switching entirely to the new name. Haney said the change would affect 74 addresses and announced a community meeting on May 20 to continue outreach.
More than two dozen people spoke during public comment. Supporters included deputy public defenders and nonprofit leaders who described Adachi’s reforms (juvenile programs, immigration advocacy, clean‑slate expungement, MAGIC program) and called him a tireless advocate for marginalized populations. Several members of the Japanese American community and youth advocates urged the honor. Opponents — including some Gilbert Street residents and at least one speaker who raised alleged personal conduct issues about the late official — objected on grounds of inadequate outreach, procedural notice for a May 1 meeting, and practical burdens on residents (updating mortgage, insurance, DMV and other records). Some residents suggested alternate honors (naming a building or installing a plaque) or limiting the rename to the short block Haney identified to reduce resident burden.
Supervisor Peskin suggested a friendly amendment for consideration — naming only the block between Brannon and Bryant after Adachi while leaving the half‑dead‑end block to the south as Gilbert Street — and emphasized the outreach and future Land Use hearing steps. Supervisor Haney moved the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the motion was taken without objection and the committee adjourned.
