History
Since 1991 the Yerba Buena Alliance has helped strengthen and sustain the Yerba Buena Neighborhood, playing a pivotal role in the transformation, growth, and development of the area. Much has changed in this diverse neighborhood, but the strong sense of community remains constant. The Yerba Buena Alliance is dedicated to the stakeholders of the Yerba Buena Gardens, which is defined by Market to Harrison and Second to Fifth Streets in downtown San Francisco. This special and unique neighborhood with many diverse interests is a very dynamic area with remarkably diverse interests. The Yerba Buena Alliance in 2020 celebrated 30 years of community building.
In 1966 the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) and Board of Supervisors designated the Yerba Buena Neighborhood as an urban renewal area. With patience and planning, the community dream of a dynamic urban cultural center with more than two dozen museums and galleries, recreational and entertainment facilities, activities for children and families, housing, hotels, shopping, and fine dining became a reality. The Moscone Center opened in 1981. The San Francisco Marriott opened in 1989, bringing a wave of luxury and boutique hotels into the area. In 1993 the Yerba Buena Gardens opened, anchoring the community with a beautiful public open space. Covering two city blocks, this award-winning 5.5 acre urban oasis sits on top of The Moscone Center. SFMOMA opened in 1995, joining the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as the cultural anchors of the area and launching the Yerba Buena Neighborhood’s Cultural District. In recent years Moscone expanded, additional hotels opened, and Westfield’s Metreon and San Francisco Centre in the historic Emporium, brought renewed retail into the area. A significant increase in residents has also changed the face of the Yerba Buena Neighborhood.
In 2020, the Yerba Buena Alliance entered into a unique partnership with senior housing developer TODCO Group. This unique partnership allowed the Alliance to flourish and ensures the neighborhood has an advocacy arm to face the challenges of a pandemic recovery. The Alliance staff now is employed by TODCO but work to administer the Yerba Buena Alliance and sustain this unique neighborhood organization for the next 30 years.
Today
Stretching from 2nd to 5th and Market to Harrison Streets, the Yerba Buena Neighborhood today is one of San Francisco’s most dynamic communities. You can’t find our concentration of cultural institutions, cutting-edge retail, top-notch hotels, urban green space, world-class convention facilities, fine dining, and residents of all income levels anywhere else. Yerba Buena definitely has something for everyone!
Vision Statement
The Yerba Buena Alliance believes stable and vibrant businesses, beautiful and accessible public spaces, mutually-beneficial and lasting relationships, and an engaged community are key to ensuring a high quality of life in San Francisco and the Yerba Buena Neighborhood.
Mission Statement
The Yerba Buena Alliance supports the Yerba Buena Neighborhood by strengthening partnerships, providing critical neighborhood-wide leadership and infrastructure, serving as an information source and forum for the area’s diverse residents, businesses, and visitors, and promoting the area as a destination.
Yerba Buena Alliance Programs
- Yerba Buena Neighborhood meetings, weekly on Thursdays at 10 am on Zoom
- Yerba Buena Culture Cabinet
- Future of Yerba Buena Gardens Stakeholder Meetings
- Yerba Buena 3rd Thursday in collaboration with Culture for Community
- Art Walk in the Spring and Yerba Buena Gallery Walk in the fall with Yerba Buena Night
- Annual awards Gala giving hero and champion award to well deserving organizations and individuals
- Networking mixers and special events including panel discussions
Historical images of Yerba Buena and then.
