City Announces New Investments and Programs to Support Fillmore's Cultural Anchors and Small Businesses

SAN FRANCISCO – Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Daniel Lurie, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood and community leaders at the Fillmore Heritage Center, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) announces a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the Fillmore corridor. In partnership with community stakeholders, the City will support temporary activations at the Fillmore Heritage Center that build on the neighborhood’s rich cultural legacy while creating new opportunities for economic vitality.

“Since my first month in office, we have listened to the community about reopening the Fillmore Heritage Center, and we are delivering on that commitment,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “This investment honors the legacy of the Fillmore while creating new opportunities for the people and small businesses that make this neighborhood special. By activating the Fillmore Heritage Center, supporting local artists, entrepreneurs, and bringing more people to the corridor through Fillmore After Dark, we are helping strengthen this community and drive San Francisco’s economic comeback.”

“The reactivation of the Heritage Center is a key first step in reversing the long history of disinvestment on Fillmore Street,” said Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. “This is a moment the community has been asking for, for so long, and we're excited for it to mark the beginning of a process to establish the site’s long-term future for generations to come.”

Over the past year, City leadership has heard from community stakeholders about the importance of reopening the Fillmore Heritage Center, formerly home to Yoshi’s, and supporting activations that draw customers to the corridor. Starting next month, OEWD will launch a series of temporary activations at the Fillmore Heritage Center and invite organizations and creators to apply to program the space, with applications opening at the end of June.

“The Fillmore Heritage Center represents more than a building, it represents opportunity, culture, creativity, and community restoration. These temporary activations are about bringing life back into this space through arts, music, entrepreneurship, and public engagement while creating pathways for the next generation of Black artists and leaders,” said Majeid Crawford, Executive Director, New Community Leadership Foundation.

OEWD will also conduct a high‑level facility assessment and market study to identify the scope and cost of restoring the Center’s spaces and to evaluate feasible future uses. Staff will utilize this study and ongoing community input to develop a set of options for next steps by the end of the calendar year, followed by further public review and direction from policymakers.

The activation of the Fillmore Heritage Center builds on OEWD’s ongoing work in the neighborhood to draw more people to the corridor and investing in projects that will increase access to economic opportunities.  In May 2026, OEWD awarded West Bay Community Center a Storefront Opportunity Grant to partner with New Community Leadership Foundation on a new commercial kitchen program in the neighborhood. The office has also awarded 23 Western Addition businesses SF Thrives Grants—totaling $230,000—to support businesses that have remained open and serving the community despite the impacts of COVID.

"The Office of Economic and Workforce Development is committed to working collaboratively with community and making the investments to ensure that Fillmore is a vibrant commercial corridor,” said Diana Ponce de León, Acting Director of Workforce Development. 

“We have a moral and ethical responsibility to repair the damage that has been done to this historic community,” said Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown. “The reopening and activation of the Fillmore Heritage Center is a step toward justice, visibility, and rebuilding Black San Francisco with purpose, compassion, and collective will.”

“This activation effort is about restoring the Fillmore as a world-class cultural and entertainment destination while supporting the businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and residents who already carry the vision and talent needed to move this community forward,” said Brigette LeBlanc, San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce.

Last Friday, May 22, OEWD and Livable City, with support from the Civic Joy Fund, launched Fillmore After Dark, a new night market series that is part of a yearlong lineup of small business crawls and activations in May, August, October, and December. Under the Fillmore After Dark banner, these events will showcase local vendors, arts and cultural performances, and experiences that highlight the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage. Upcoming Fillmore After Dark events include:  August 21 (Business Crawl and Night Market), October 31 (Art Walk and Night Market), and December 11 (Fillmore Holiday Night Market). More information at livablecity.org.

In addition to Fillmore After Dark, the neighborhood will host Juneteenth celebrations with support from the Human Rights Commission. The Lower Fillmore Entertainment Zone will also be activated during the Fillmore Jazz Festival, July 4-5, to support live music, entertainment, and small business activity.

“The reopening and activation of the Fillmore Heritage Center has been a long time in the making. The Center is at the heart of San Francisco’s historic African American neighborhood and jazz district and reflects the many cultural contributions of the African American community to our city,” said Mawuli Tugbenyoh, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and the Agency for Human Rights. “I am proud that the Human Rights Commission has been able to invest in and help stabilize Juneteenth celebrations across the city, including in the Fillmore. The strength of the Fillmore District and Western Addition community is reflected in the way residents, organizations, and families continue to come together to honor and celebrate that legacy. San Francisco is stronger because of it.”

Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Board of Supervisors are working collaboratively to advance major initiatives that support local businesses and bring new energy to San Francisco’s streets. The Fillmore Community Action Plan (FCAP), launched in the Fall 2025, is a partnership between the City and community members.  This community action plan will develop strategies and actions across four topic areas: Health, Housing, Economic & Workforce Development, Placemaking, Arts, & Culture. For more information regarding the effort and upcoming FCAP community workshops visit https://sfplanning.org/fillmore-community-action-plan.