Polk Street's Decade-Long Vacancy: San Francisco Planning Commission Blocked Whole Foods 365 Over Housing Concerns

San Francisco's Polk Street neighborhood continues to face a significant void in affordable grocery options, a situation exacerbated by the San Francisco Planning Commission's 2018 decision to deny a proposed Whole Foods Market 365 store. The site, the former Lombardi Sports building at 1600 Jackson Street, has remained vacant for a decade, leading to ongoing community frustration over limited and expensive food shopping choices.

The 2018 denial stemmed primarily from the project's insufficient housing component. While the developer proposed eight residential units, the Planning Commission deemed this inadequate given San Francisco's severe housing crisis. Commissioner Milicent Johnson stated, "I could not in good conscience let this be a supermarket for the next 25 years in a time of a housing crisis."

The decision also involved concerns about the city's "formula retail ban," which requires special permits for chain stores with more than 11 locations, aiming to protect local businesses. Although the Whole Foods 365 concept was intended as a more affordable alternative, local merchants expressed fears it would negatively impact existing independent retailers like Cheese Plus and the Jug Shop. Despite significant community support for the grocery store, particularly from nearby residents, the city prioritized mixed-use development with substantial housing.

As a result, residents in the area are left with fewer and pricier grocery options. As one social media user, @otterboyinfrisco🏳️‍🌈, recently highlighted, the blocking of the Whole Foods 365 meant that "Now you can't buy groceries without spending big because the only options there are the regular Whole Foods & Bi-Rite." Bi-Rite Market, while a beloved local institution with a new location on Polk Street, is generally perceived as a higher-end grocer.

The 32,000-square-foot Lombardi Sports building has seen multiple failed redevelopment attempts since its closure in 2014, including plans for housing, a Target, Mollie Stone's, and Gus's Community Market. Property owners attribute the prolonged vacancy to city bureaucracy and the challenges of meeting San Francisco's complex development requirements. The continued emptiness of the site underscores the city's struggle to balance housing needs, local business protection, and community demand for essential services.