Board committee advances renaming of Stevenson block to Odd Fellows Way

Acting Chair Aaron Peskin and the committee forwarded a proposal to rename the 600 block of Stevenson Street to Odd Fellows Way, advancing the item to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

The resolution, introduced by staff on behalf of Supervisor Jane Kim, recognizes the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' long-standing presence and community contributions, including stewardship of an alleyway and arts uses in the Market Street Theater and Loft District. "The Odd Fellows order...has been doing a lot of give back," a staff representative said in opening remarks summarizing the sponsor's intent.

Richard Perry, a longtime artist and tenant of the Odd Fellows building, testified in support and recounted the order's local history and civic activities going back to the 19th century. "The cultural and community benefits that we've provided," Perry said, identifying the group's historical contributions to relief efforts and community services. Multiple other speakers — including Brian Schlesinger, Peter Sellers and Pam Hagen — described the building as an arts hub and cited the group's ongoing programs, such as food drives and partnerships with local nonprofits.

Supporters also cited public‑safety and neighborhood conditions near Market and Stevenson streets and urged the renaming as part of broader stewardship efforts; one neighborhood resident said the Odd Fellows help "recapture this block" through monitoring and cleanup efforts. Supervisor Kim said the renaming had rare unanimous neighborhood support and moved the item to the full Board.

The committee recorded the item as a positive recommendation to the Jan. 2018 full Board meeting. There was no separate roll-call vote recorded in committee; the action advanced 'without objection.'