Committee accepts $1.275M design gift for Harvey Milk Plaza; public praise for community-driven plan

The Budget & Finance Committee on Oct. 25 voted to forward to the full Board a resolution accepting a conceptual-design gift from the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza valued at $1,275,000 to support a redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro.

Jumoke Akin Taylor, project manager with San Francisco Public Works, told the committee the gift will help advance construction documents and outlined recent approvals and the project schedule: program validation and historic-preservation steps completed in 2023, a state grant executed in March 2023, and a plan to reach 90% construction documents between March and June 2024 with permit/pricing work through September 2024.

Speakers representing community partners endorsed the gift during public comment. Brian Springfield, executive director of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, cited broad endorsements from neighborhood organizations and LGBTQ+ cultural groups and said the design protects transit operations at the Castro Muni station while increasing visibility and gathering space. Amy Callender of the San Francisco Parks Alliance praised accessible pathways, pedestrian seating and a new pedestal element that would honor Harvey Milk and the Castro’s history.

After public comment and brief questions, the committee voted to forward the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

The measure will appear on the Board agenda for final action. Public Works plans to coordinate environmental, permitting and construction-document work through mid-2024 as funding and approvals progress.