A car-free route along a portion of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park has existed since 1967. In November 2022, 51% of San Francisco voters passed Proposition J to codify the policy to keep parts of Golden Gate Park pedestrian friendly. This allows extra space for children, seniors, and people with disabilities more space to be able to play, travel, and exercise throughout the park. 80% of the roadways in the park are still available for driving and 83% of the free parking remains available in the park. In order to change the policy to prioritize active transportation in Golden Gate Park, this legislation would have to be overturned, thereby defying the will of San Francisco voters.

Supervisor Melgar supports a Great Highway park that provides car-free space 24/7. This crucial car-free space must also accommodate the needs of the Great Highway’s closest neighbors and allows District 7 residents to get to the many resources of the District including Golden Gate Park and the Veteran’s Hospital. Supervisor Mar’s legislation heard at the Board of Supervisors on December 6th codified an arrangement that does not work for many of our neighbors. Supervisor Melgar chose to vote against this legislation because she wants to make sure that we are able to build consensus among Westside neighbors and incorporate their views in legislation impacting their neighborhoods. We are hopeful that when this pilot program ends in 3 years, we are able to return to the drawing board to create a space that prioritizes car-free spaces and also allows for travel on one of our City’s main transportation arteries.

 Supervisor Melgar understands the frustration that many express on this change and the fear that it may negatively impact small businesses and community members. The SFMTA has an independent Board of Directors that made this decision earlier this year. Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors does not have a vote on this matter. 

The SFMTA is facing a budget shortfall and contend that this parking meter extension will make meter hours more consistent citywide, create more parking availability, and generate revenue to help the agency sustain vital Muni service. Extending hours will help increase the turnover of parking spots during crucial business hours, making it easier to find a parking spot. They claim that without this revenue, they could be forced to eliminate as many as 20 Muni lines, which would disproportionately affect those with low incomes, people of color, older adults and people with disabilities.  These changes are going to  be gradually implemented. The first areas of District 7 will be phased in during October 2023. You can read more about the proposed plan and phases here.

On May 22, the Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution to urge SFMTA to reconsider their decision and to complete an  economic impact analysis of this policy change. Supervisor Melgar is eager to understand all the impacts of the SFMTA’s proposal on our streets, on our small businesses, and on the communities of District 7.

Meeting our Vision Zero goals and supporting the safety of our streets is a top priority for Supervisor Myrna Melgar. The first step to addressing this situation is to submit a request via 311. From there, SFMTA will conduct a traffic study to see what can be done to reduce the risk of pedestrian fatality. You can also submit the request through the online portal. Once our traffic engineers receive your safety inquiry, they will add to their queue to assess. The traffic study will involve reviewing the traffic/pedestrian count, traffic flow, collision history, current safety measures, etc. The team does receive a lot of demands and are working hard in addressing each request. It typically takes about 60-90 days for staff to complete their evaluation. Once the assessment is complete, they will contact you to share the outcome of the study.

The issue of the RV dwellers is an issue which we inherited upon entering office here in District 7, but one that is vexing to solve as there are many depts and property lines involved. But we are definitely working on a solution and are as frustrated as you are by the slow pace. Office staff has been out the last 4 weekends with the Department of Homelessness doing outreach and trying to connect the RV dwellers to housing options. Many will not qualify however...

Our district has the second highest population of residents living in cars behind District 10.  We need to find permanent solutions for those near Lake Merced but there are also RVs also scattered in residential neighborhoods. The MTA made the decision to no longer enforce overnight parking restrictions or tow these vehicles. Even if towing was an option, the City cannot simply push inhabited vehicles elsewhere and call it a solution. We have been desperately trying to establish a sanction parking site to connect people with services and hopefully more permanent homes but several negotiations have fallen apart. We even have funding for it. You may have read about the Vehicle Stabilization Center in Bayview, but that site filled up instantly and still left out many of D10’s RV population. The logistics of finding unused space large enough and with infrastructure that can support the community has been a difficult one. We must coordinate many different departments each with their own concerns in making it viable. But rest assured our office will not give up.

Living in your vehicle is different from what we classically think of as “homelessness.” Our current homeless service system is not designed to address this growing population. Many of the folks living in vehicles in District 7 are families with children and are fully employed as service workers. We know because we have met with them. If your vehicle is your transportation, your shelter, and your child’s home, you aren’t going to want to readily give it up to accept entry into an emergency shelter where you will sleep on the floor with your children. Your RV is your most important asset and is what is keeping you and/or your family from sleeping on the street. Many roads have led people to where they are, and there is no one solution will fit all, but I acknowledge that this is a dilemma which affects us all.

It is the goal of the D7 office to find permanent housing for RV dwellers, to free up the right-of-way and support the health of the neighborhoods.  Two years ago, the voters of San Francisco approved additional funding to include this population, and we are optimistic that these resources will lead to programming and resources that are specifically targeted and effective.

SFUSD has permitted Hensel Phelps (UCSF’s contractor) to use the lot for employee and vehicle parking during the construction of the UCSF New Hospital on Parnassus Street. Hensel Phelps is making minor site improvements including fencing, gates, and repaving of the driveway to help maintain cleanliness of the adjacent streets.  However, construction equipment, materials, debris or vehicles will not be allowed to be stored or parked on-site. Construction is projected to begin 2023 and expected to last through 2030.