Committee advances $1.5 million state grant to complete Harvey Milk Plaza design

The Government Audit & Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on June 16 voted to send a resolution to the full Board recommending acceptance of $1,500,000 in state funding for the redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, who sponsored the item, said the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza developed a vision to expand community gathering space at the Castro Muni Station while improving safety and accessibility. "The item is to accept, state funding for a project, in the heart of District 8, the memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza," Mandelmann said.

Jumoke Akin Taylor of the Department of Public Works said the notice to apply for the California Arts Council grant arrived Nov. 15, 2021, and that the awarded funds would be used to complete design to 100% construction drawings and cover project management and related soft costs. "This is an application from the state's arts council...this would complete the design for the Harvey Milk Plaza and cover some of the soft costs in managing this project," Akin Taylor said.

Supporters who called into the meeting urged approval. Andrea Aiello, co‑chair of Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza, said the project has broad neighborhood backing and hopes to be "shovel ready" by mid‑2023. "We're really proud and excited to receive this $1,500,000 that will bring us through construction docs and really bring the project to a shovel ready status," she said.

The committee closed public comment and voted to forward the measure to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The item will return to the full Board for final action and for the public record on the grant agreement and any implementing documents.

If the Board approves, the grant will fund final design and enable Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza and DPW to coordinate the development of construction-level plans and necessary outreach and CEQA steps.