Great Highway Update: Statement on Recall Effort and Next Steps with Rec and Park

By Supervisor Joel Engardio

I respect the views of Sunset voters who opposed Prop K. Many have told me they didn’t feel heard in their objection to it being on the ballot. I take this feedback to heart because it’s important to me that everyone is heard. As your supervisor, we won’t agree 100% on every issue. But I always want to hear the concerns of my constituents and work to address them. I am committed to opening my door to you 100% of the time. That includes my phone and email in-box. I’ve already corresponded with and talked to hundreds of residents the past month.

What I’ve been hearing loud and clear is a need to address neighborhood traffic and street safety concerns. My mission is to work with you. Together, we can improve our neighborhoods. 

I understand many are worried that Prop K will lead to increased traffic on side streets. Or that Sunset Boulevard and Lincoln Way won’t be able to handle the traffic diverted from the Great Highway. Traffic engineers are working on improvements to ensure cars will get where they need to go. I will keep you informed throughout the park and traffic planning process and seek your input.

Recall
There have been news reports that a group of residents — including some who don’t live in District 4 or even San Francisco — are seeking to recall me from office because of my support for Prop K.

Voters have a right to recall their elected leaders. I respectfully ask voters to consider the entirety of my work representing them, and not just this one issue.

I was elected on a platform of making neighborhoods safer, supporting small businesses, standing up for better public education, and making it easier to build the housing families need to stay in San Francisco. As supervisor, I’ve successfully championed more police protection in the Sunset, fought to bring algebra back to middle schools, reduced permitting red tape for our small businesses, and passed housing legislation designed for middle income families and seniors. I also secured funding for Sunset Boulevard greenway improvements, delivered relief funds to Taraval merchants impacted by street reconstruction, and created night markets with community partners.

Prop K was put on the ballot by five supervisors and supported by the mayor. We felt every voter should have a say about what to do with a coast that belongs to everyone. There is precedent. The fate of the central freeway and the future of JFK Drive was decided by voters citywide. Even the people opposed to Prop K put their own measure on the ballot in 2022. They asked voters everywhere to kill the weekend compromise and reopen the Great Highway to cars 24/7.

My recall is being sought because I supported putting Prop K to a democratic vote of the people. It’s important to note that a recall will not change the outcome or implementation of Prop K.

I supported Prop K because I believe it solves unavoidable concerns about the environment and what to do with a precious coast that belongs to all. I felt the people of San Francisco should be able to directly determine the future of their coastline. A majority of Sunset voters did not agree and I invite every Sunset resident to work with me to address their concerns. I’ve also reached out to recall leaders to work together to solve common concerns about traffic flow and street safety.

While residents may disagree with me on this one issue, my door is always open to you on any topic. I’ve been a responsive supervisor on a myriad of issues that District 4 residents care about.

In full transparency, I supported past recalls of the school board and district attorney in 2022 because I felt they were failing to do the job they were elected to do. Parents felt the school board was more focused on renaming schools than getting kids back to school during the pandemic. Residents and crime victims felt the district attorney was not keeping them safe. These failures were fundamental to the job description. When Governor Newsom was challenged with a recall in 2021, I opposed that effort. Although not every voter agreed with his policies or actions, he was doing the job voters elected him to do.

Next Steps with Rec and Park
Rec and Park has jurisdiction over the Upper Great Highway and is leading the implementation of Prop K. Rec and Park is seeking approvals from the coastal commission that will allow for better traffic circulation at the Great Highway at Lincoln and Sloat Boulevard. Rec and Park says the closure could happen in the first quarter of 2025, after some key traffic issues are addressed — such as a new traffic signal coming online at Sloat and Skyline to replace a 3-way stop sign. Construction upgrades and repaving on Sunset Boulevard will be completed soon, allowing for much better traffic flow.

I am working with city departments to better coordinate those traffic improvements. For example, SFMTA and the Department of Public Works are working on replacing a four-way stop sign at Lincoln and 41st Avenue with a traffic signal. I will keep you updated on our progress with that traffic light installation, which will help keep traffic moving to Sunset Boulevard at a steady pace.

A recent news article created a stir with a headline about the removal of street parking along the zoo to create a protected bike lane. The new bike lane does not impact parking in the center of Sloat or on the residential side — and the article mentioned a new 100-space parking lot next to the zoo. This bike lane project was not related to Prop K. It was in the works long before and would have happened regardless of the outcome of Prop K. 

At the end of November, Rec and Park announced it received a $1 million grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy Board. The grant will be used to help plan for dune restoration along the Great Highway, improved coastal access for everyone, better traffic management in nearby neighborhoods, and community input on long-term park design.

I’ve requested Rec and Park invite the community to a series of facilitated community discussions starting in the spring of 2025. The goal of those meetings is to gather neighborhood feedback on near-term park design and learn about any new traffic concerns that will require mitigation. These public meetings will include transportation professionals, park designers, neighborhood leaders, and community members, as well as myself and my staff.

Moving forward
I understand many Sunset residents rely on their cars to get around and there is a sense that City Hall is making it more difficult to be a car owner. My husband and I both drive every day, so we experience the same roads and pain points you do. If there are intersections or streets you are concerned about, please let me know and I will work to address those concerns. The same goes for where you think we need more stop signs or other traffic calming measures for pedestrian safety. 

I’m committed to working with city agencies, our new mayor, and all Sunset residents to make Sunset streets safe and efficient.

Before Prop K, it was known the Great Highway was losing its greatest utility as a direct connection to Daly City. With the southern section already set to close by the state coastal commission and legislated unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, all traffic will have to turn inland soon. Prop K makes it possible to create a park by directing traffic to turn left at Lincoln instead of Sloat. Prop K only applies to the stretch of road between Lincoln and Sloat that bypasses the Sunset without any on/off ramps for cars.

It’s important to note that Sunset residents, many living near the Great Highway, are leading the effort to create an oceanside park. They formed a group called Friends of Great Highway Park nearly four years ago. They came up with the idea and advocated for it. I agreed with this vision because I believe a park will be good for the environment, provide a boost to local businesses, and bring joy to generations of people. 

We can all agree on the need for safer residential streets and better traffic flow across the westside. I look forward to working with you to mitigate traffic concerns and address pedestrian safety.