Supervisor Jake McGoldrick: Update on District Issues

The 25th Avenue Traffic Calming Project
For the last few years, I have been working closely with the 25th Avenue Neighborhood Association and the Traffic Calming Program at the Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to make 25th Avenue a safer place to live. Neighbors of the 25th Avenue corridor were concerned about high vehicle speeds on 25th Avenue, and wanted to implement a traffic-calming program.

After numerous meetings with the SFMTA and members of the community, we have finally come up with a plan that we think will fit this mid-Richmond street.

The plan would reduce 25th Avenue from four lanes to three, with the middle lane restructured as a left-turn pocket. This lane reduction would affect the street from Fulton to El Camino Del Mar. Traffic speed would be reduced, and pedestrian conditions would be much safer.

The SFMTA plans to host a community meeting on Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., at Cabrillo Elementary School (750 25th Ave.), to give the public an update on the project.

I encourage you to go to this meeting to learn more about the project and to provide your input.

Keep Golden Gate Bride Free of Advertising
As a member of the board of directors for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD), I have been very concerned about the proposed Golden Gate Bridge Corporate Partnership Program. This program is intended to generate revenue from advertising on bridge property.

I am adamantly opposed to any advertising on our public assets, especially an asset that is as internationally recognized, loved and cherished by millions of people as the Golden Gate Bridge. Once advertisements are authorized, there may be no end to the "commercial creep."

The program would allow, among other things, the on-site presence of corporate advertising through special events, product demonstrations and the placement of corporate logos on way-finding signage, posters, kiosks, and displays on Golden Gate Bridge property.

I have authored a resolution at the SF Board of Supervisors opposing the Golden Gate Bridge Partnership Program. The resolution will be before the board on Oct. 2 for a vote. Additionally, the GGBHTD board of directors is scheduled to take action on the Partnership Program on Oct. 26, at 10 a.m., at the district secretary's office at the GGBHTD. Public input is encouraged. For more information please visit the Web site at www.goldengate.org.

19th Avenue Signal Upgrade Project
As chair of the SF County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), I am excited to report that the SFCTA and its partner agencies have been studying the pedestrian needs and potential solutions for 19th Avenue and Park Presidio Boulevard.

As you may know, 19th Avenue and Park Presidio Boulevard (Highway 1) is a state highway owned and operated by Caltrans as a six-lane roadway serving both regional and local traffic. The project area covers 7.5 miles. The northern project boundary is at Lake Street, continuing south along Park Presidio Boulevard to Fulton Street, Crossover Drive, and following 19th Avenue from Lincoln Way to Junipero Serra Boulevard.

As a result of ongoing work, including comprehensive input from two recent community workshops, the agencies have put together a package of near-term actions to address the need for increased pedestrian safety along the corridor.

Based on discussions with the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the SF Police Department (SFPD) has agreed to station officers along 19th Avenue and Park Presidio Boulevard. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is proceeding with Phase 1 of its signal upgrade project, which is slated to begin in early 2008 and includes installation of pedestrian countdown signals.

As discussed at the workshops, the agencies are exploring other engineering treatments at specific intersections to further increase safety. The partner agencies include the SF Department of Public Works, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, Muni, SF Department of Parking and Traffic, and the California Department of Transportation.

For more information, call the Transportation Authority at (415) 522-4800 or visit the project Web site at www.sfcta.org/19th.

Jake McGoldrick is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 1.