Committee backs adding four street-artist spaces on Market Street

Supervisor Malia Cohen’s Land Use and Transportation Committee unanimously recommended adding four street-artist spaces on the north side of Market Street at Spear Street and forwarded the item to the full Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Lazar of the Arts Commission told the committee the request would add four 10-by-10 spaces consistent with about 20 existing spaces on the same block and would require exemptions from portions of the Police Code (display-size limits, height restrictions and certain distance-from-crosswalk and entrance-distance rules). He said the sidewalk at that location is about 48½ feet wide and that, with the proposed layout, the front of booths would be roughly 19½ feet from the adjacent Hyatt hotel, leaving well over the required passageway for pedestrians. "We're here to ask for your recommendation to designate 4 additional street artist spaces on Market Street," he said.

Street artists and market managers told the committee the extra spaces are needed. Tad Sky, who said he has been a street artist since 1974, described the program as permanent, year-round work that allows artists to earn a living and said neighbors and businesses "like the spaces." Market manager Maria Skye said demand outstrips supply, describing roughly 150 applicants for about 95 permanent spaces and saying additional spots would provide more opportunity for working artists.

With public support and no objections recorded in committee, Supervisor Scott Weiner moved to forward Item 1 with a positive recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.

The matter will be scheduled next for full Board consideration.