An alley in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood that has its walls decorated by murals painted by military veterans has a new name — Veterans Alley.
The city’s Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Tuesday for the renaming of Shannon Street, an alley near Geary and Taylor streets a few blocks west from Union Square. The street became known for the mural project co-founded in 2011 by Amos Gregory, a U.S. Navy veteran from the Gulf War era.
Supervisor Dean Preston’s office announced the renaming, noting that Preston has been working with Gregory, who co-founded the mural project with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Gilbert Lovato, since the Tenderloin was redistricted in the supervisor’s district in 2022.
The murals ‘have transformed the alleyway into an international tourist attraction and lively local destination for San Franciscans through artist workshops, block parties and community events.’
Supervisor Dean Preston
The murals “have transformed the alleyway into an international tourist attraction and lively local destination for San Franciscans through artist workshops, block parties and community events,” Preston’s office said.
In 2020, the alley made headlines because some of the murals were painted over by crews from a local business improvement district who responded to a request to remove hateful graffiti but painted over existing murals, drawing criticism from supporters of the veterans’ project.
Gregory said in a statement that the renaming of the street as Veterans Alley “marks a milestone in the city’s commitment to ensuring that our voices will continue to be heard.”
With the approval of the resolution, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is now authorized to install new commemorative signs with the new name and an unveiling ceremony is planned in the coming months, according to Preston’s office.
