Over a decade ago, banks of newsstands were installed in the Park Street business district to replace the hodgepodge of shabby-looking newsstands. Unfortunately, the spiffy new newsstands came on the scene just as newspapers were giving way to digital media like smartphones and laptop computers. Today, the mostly empty and vandalized newsstands are the new eyesore.
Photo Essay:
A sign of The Times
Park Street at Lincoln Avenue
This just in: Trash
San Jose Avenue at Park Street
Free Speech Zone
Alameda Avenue at Park Street
The Word on the Street
Santa Clara Avenue near Park Street
Thinking Outside of the Box
Central Avenue at Park Street
I on Alameda 
Maybe it’s time to reduce the # down to 4 and set requirements for upkeep by publication. Or to add a service and upkeep fee to the usage!?
pull the actual box machines off the pedestal mount and attached some redwood 2×8’s makes a great bench for people to sit on.
On behalf of the late Councilmember Karin Lucas, I’ll look into this, if city staff have not already addressed this matter. This was an issue championed by Councilmember Lucas I believe circa 1992 or 1993 — well before I got on Council in 1996.