The public deserves real answers from several city agencies and BART about the proposed phase 1 Better Market Street project, which would tear up Market Street, between Fifth and Eighth streets, for as long as two to four years to replace water, sewer, and rail lines. This would suspend service for the popular F Line historic streetcars, which will negatively impact Castro-area businesses already struggling to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we reported last week, streetcar service would be replaced with buses, a less attractive experience that won't entice tourists with rides from Fisherman's Wharf to the Castro. On April 26, the Community Advisory Committee for Better Market Street held a virtual meeting — it has been discussing the project for years — and heard updated reports from San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Estimated to cost $80 million, the phase 1 project already has funding lined up, including state and federal grants and city bond money.