Recent Traffic Changes: We Want to Hear From You!

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It has been a few months since the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) implemented its plan to improve roads and walkways in the Barbary Coast neighborhood. We have received some member feedback about the changes, summarized below.  Now we want to hear from you. What is working (or not) so far? Let us know in the comments section! 

  • SANSOME STREET: Implementation of one-lane of through traffic on Sansome Street between Lombard and Chestnut to the Embarcadero (with sidewalk extension on Sansome between Lombard and the Embarcadero) and the addition of a protected bike lane with only one traffic lane on Battery Street between Lombard and Greenwich
    • We are seeing some traffic backup during morning rush hour. People are getting caught by the left turn only lane on Sansome between Lombard and Chestnut. The right lane to go onto the Embarcadero fills up, and people caught in the left-turn lane end up circling around the Chestnut-Montgomery-Lombard block to get back in.
    • No back-up at Sansome-Greenwich or Sansome-Lombard at 8-8:30 AM. There is some backup on the southbound Embarcadero  but unclear whether it is due to the lane changes.
  • DAVIS STREET: Implementation of new bike lanes on Davis Street and added striping of pedestrian crosswalk at Davis and Pacific.
    • Current plan does not address the increasing auto traffic speeds/patterns on Davis (south of Broadway) to Jackson and Drumm Streets in a very dense mixed residential/business community. With more than 1500 residents (including more and more families with children) living in the Gateway area (Davis/Jackson/Battery Streets), people want active traffic calming and pedestrian crossing improvements.
    • Multiple comments from residents/workers and people with children argue for a traffic control officer or crossing guard at the Jackson/Davis St/Davis Ct intersection.
    • Traffic calming and pedestrian crossing improvements (lighting, speed bumps, traffic control officer) should be enhanced on Davis Street and go beyond the Broadway/Jackson section.
    • Pedestrian safety hotspots (especially for seniors and children) include Pacific/Davis cross walk, Davis/Jackson 4-way stop, Drumm/Jackson, Broadway/Davis, and Broadway/Embarcadero.
    • Another hotspot is the intersection of Drumm and Washington Streets (not included in the SFMTA proposed changes): The two northbound lanes going towards Jackson previously permitted drivers in both lanes to go straight. The right lane was changed to “Right Turn Only,” which forces local residents trying to get to Jackson, the Safeway, etc. to wait behind cars turning left at Washington, which in turn must wait until the southbound traffic on Drumm has passed. We have often been stuck in the left lane for one or even two traffic light cycles before being able to go straight. At the same time, we have watched right turners going east onto Washington whiz by. It appears that many more people are stuck in the left lane than those drivers turning right. Please consider re-opening the right lane to those going straight.

BCNA Endorsements for November Ballot Propositions

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The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association’s Board of Directors reviewed the local initiatives on the upcoming November ballot from the perspective of our neighborhood values, issues, and input from our members, including residents and businesses.

We have taken the following positions:

Proposition A (Affordable Housing Bond):  SUPPORT
Proposition B (Charter Amendments on Aging and Adult Services Commission):  No Position
Proposition C (Overturning Ban on Non-FDA Approved Vaping Products):  OPPOSE
Proposition D (Traffic Congestion Mitigation Tax):  SUPPORT
Proposition E (Affordable Housing and Educator Housing):  SUPPORT
Proposition F (Campaign Contributions and Advertisement Disclosures):  No Position

Celebrating the Life of Community Leader Gerry Crowley

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Gerry Crowley being honored at the Democratic Women’s Forum Luncheon in 2011

We were sad to learn that Gerry Crowley passed away on September 11, 2019. Gerry was an inspiring example of how personal action can lead to outstanding achievements for the public good. Gerry’s extraordinary community leadership and political involvement will continue to inspire us to engage in public service. A celebration of Gerry’s life will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 6 pm to 10pm at the Italian Athletic Club, Main Ballroom, 1630 Stockton Street.

Gerry was instrumental in the formation of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association. Described at times as a “one woman army” and compared to Princess Leia, Gerry first started her work in the San Francisco community as a board member of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers and went on to serve four terms as board president. She also nurtured her dedication of improving San Francisco’s parks, serving as member of the Pioneer Park Restoration Committee, the Friends of Washington Square, and the Fay Park Advisory Board. Gerry co-founded the Neighborhood Network (a group of 20 citizens from all parts of San Francisco) to meet with City department heads, commissioners, and other officials on issues critical to neighborhood residents. From her days leading Aaron Peskin’s first election campaign for supervisor to her role as Vice Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party, Gerry continued to donate her time tutoring ESL students at Galileo High School.

At Gerry’s request, please consider making a financial or volunteer contribution in Gerry’s honor to: