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Dear Neighbor,
As my first month in office comes to a close, I am grateful to all who have engaged my office to help move our district forward. As I reflect on this new beginning, one thing has become abundantly clear: the only way to move forward is together.
That’s why last week, we held a City Hall hearing on the closure of the Fillmore Safeway to make headway on this issue.
Over the course of the last year, there has been a lot of information going around on this topic, there have been a lot of questions, but not very many answers. Despite this closure being announced over a year ago, this was the first time a public hearing has even been called regarding this issue. The purpose of the hearing was so that all information regarding the closure could be communicated broadly in a public, transparent way to ensure the community, the Board of Supervisors, and our city departments are operating with a baseline understanding of information so we can move towards solutions together. To rewatch the hearing, the recording is located here.
What I gathered from the information presented is that there are three immediate options for my office to explore:
- Given the score and nature of the impact on approximately 34,000 residents, we must immediately act in the short-term to ensure activation of the site and resources for food distribution (please see resources below).
- We must investigate conditional use reform if we are to explore expediting the options for a replacement grocery store on the property.
- It is of the utmost importance that we work towards bringing in a new, affordable grocery store option to the area to serve residents.
You have my commitment that this is a priority to my office and we will work diligently towards these goals. This was just the first step and I’m thankful for the continued engagement from the community as we work urgently to bring replacement services to the Fillmore. There is much work to be done and we are working tirelessly for you.
In service,
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Resources for Residents Impacted by the Safeway Closure
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Pharmacy & Grocery Store Resources
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SFMTA Accessibility Services
With the upcoming closure of the pharmacy at the Safeway site, older adults and people with disabilities may benefit from the following San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) programs:
Shop-a-Round Program
Shop-a-Round is a convenient, low-cost shuttle service provided by the SFMTA that assists seniors and people with disabilities in traveling to grocery stores or supermarkets within San Francisco. The service offers personalized assistance not available on standard public transit. As of January 1, 2025, the fare for a one-way trip is $2.75
Essential Trip Card (ETC) Program
Essential Trip Card (ETC) Program provides assistance for essential taxi trips to alternative pharmacies and other necessary destinations.
- The ETC Program is designed to support seniors and people with disabilities by covering an estimated 1-2 essential taxi trips per month.
- Eligibility: Individuals must be 65+ years old or have a qualifying disability to enroll.
- Application Process: Primarily conducted over the phone by calling 415-351-7053.
- General Information: Essential Trip Card Program
Upcoming Info Sessions on SFMTA Accessibility Programs
- When: February 24th at 11 AM
- Where: African American Art & Culture Complex (762 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94102)
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Community Food Access Resource
Booker T. Washington Community Service Center's “Food to Freedom'' Food Justice program provides an array of weekly, free culturally-appropriate and quality food services and educational opportunities to the San Francisco District 5 community through a Black cultural lens. BTWCSC programs aim to radically transform the local food distribution system by centering a “Black Led, Black Fed” ecosystem, a farm-to-community center initiative that nourishes bodies, minds, and souls.
To access these programs, please fill out this interest form and a BTWCSC staff member will get in touch shortly. Please note that filling out the interest form does not guarantee immediate enrollment. All interested participants must complete a formal intake. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
*Please note these resources are being added to the Board of Supervisors website. As new resources emerge, we will update these resources there.
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In the Heart of the Community
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We started off last Tuesday in the best way possible: joining Rosa Parks Elementary school for a read aloud! We read Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o together and talked about self-love and the beauty in diversity.
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I had the pleasure of meeting Hassan Shabber, a District 5-based artist who grew up in the Tenderloin and showcased his work at the SFGH Foundation Gala. His art piece, titled “The Galactic Birds,” symbolizes growth and curiosity – an excellent representation of the rich culture and art blooming for our district.
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This past weekend, I joined Mayor Lurie, Fire Chief Crispin, and Supervisor Sherrill for a cleanup of the Van Ness Corridor organized by Refuse Refuse, a volunteer effort dedicated to trash-free neighborhoods. We must all do our part to ensure safe, clean, and vibrant streets. Interested in joining? Check out their clean ups here.
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I would like to highlight a win for one of our neighbors, Melva, who was facing a difficult situation in her building. After enduring ongoing noise disturbances that impacted her family’s well-being, and husband's recovery from brain surgery, our office stepped in to advocate on her behalf. We reached out to her building management to ensure her concerns were taken seriously and provided her with direct support in navigating the issue. Through our partnership, the noise was stopped and peace of mind was returned.
Our office also brought in a win for our neighbor, Anthony, who was dealing with an abandoned vehicle blocking his garage. After struggling to get action through traditional channels, our office stepped in to escalate the issue. Thanks to Anthony’s advocacy and our team’s coordination with the city, the vehicle was finally removed, clearing the way for safer and more accessible streets.
This is a reminder that small quality-of-life issues — like noise problems, abandoned cars, and lack of accountability — add up and take a toll on us. If you're facing a similar challenge or need help navigating city services, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at MahmoodStaff@sfgov.org. We’re here to help!
Let’s work together to make District 5 a better place for all.
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