This is What SF’s New “Harvey Milk Plaza” May Look Like

San Francisco’s Harvey Milk Plaza will be reimagined as a welcoming, vibrant space that honors and celebrates Harvey Milk’s life and legacy, celebrates his enduring importance to the LGBTQ+ community, and inspires all by acting as a beacon of hope to marginalized communities worldwide. The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza was formed in 2016 to lead the effort to realize this vision.

In ten community meetings led by The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza in January 2017 – June 2021, The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza gathered input from the community about their hopes and aspirations for the new Harvey Milk Plaza. Not surprisingly, the feedback collected was aligned with feedback collected as far back as 1997, and could be summarized into four main categories:

• Honor Harvey Milk – Harvey Milk Plaza should be a meaningful and inspirational space that honors Harvey’s legacy and his messages of greater inclusivity and hope.
• Gathering Space – The space should accommodate groups of various sizes so that the space can become better integrated into the Castro neighborhood.
• Safety & Security – The code compliance issues and other design-related problems at the site should be addressed so that all feel safe and secure while there.
• Increase Accessibility – The space and transit functions at the site should be designed to be accommodating and easily accessed by all.

Fueled by dialogue with the community, The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza worked with landscape architecture firm SWA to develop a vision for the new plaza.

Visitors to the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza will enter a vibrant public square that will invite them to ascend the Pedestal to survey the historic intersection of Castro & Market Streets with the large Rainbow Flag and the hills of Twin Peaks at their backs.

As they walk the grounds – neighbors, transit riders and tourists alike will have the chance to learn about Harvey, be inspired by his story, and feel his call to action:

We’re Here to recruit you event on 1/25/24 has been postponed. Free to attend, but an RSVP is required. Learn more about Harvey Milk Plaza.

ACTION
The Pedestal highlights the history of collective action that has occurred at the intersection of Castro and Market. It provides a focal point for large gatherings and represents Harvey’s idea that leadership arises from the community – anyone can stand on the Pedestal and call for action.

VISIBILITY
The Beacon is a symbol of a dynamic, beating heart—it’s a recruitment center, an activist news feed, and an ode to Harvey, all in one. This digital monument tells the story not only of Harvey Milk, but of the Castro’s history, of queer culture, and of the victories and ongoing struggles of the movement. The panels of various sizes–some of which are digital display panels–will reference historic and contemporary protest signs.

HOPE
The Grove is a quiet contemplative place evoking Hope – the part of the Harvey Milk story that touches many of us deeply. We are creating a beautiful park setting that will encourage everyone to reconnect with the tiny piece of hope that each of us carries within ourselves.

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY
The Gallery is an indoor space on the concourse level of Castro Muni Station that will amplify the voices of the community by providing a flexible area for permanent and rotating art exhibits that reflect the current social justice priorities of the day. The exhibitions are intended to celebrate activism – both Harvey’s activism and the story of activism in the city and will be curated in partnership with fellow community organizations. Daylight streams into the space through the Oculus, which also provides visitors a view of the Rainbow Flag through the opening. Under the skylight, visitors will be enveloped by the sound of Harvey’s voice and the voices of the community echoing his message of hope.