Streetscape Bond Likely for San Francisco

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will likely vote in favor of a $368 million bond measure to create a one-time fund to pay for streetscape enhancements, including sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure.

On July 8, 2009 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee unanimously supported two measures that could impact pedestrians, bicycle riders, transit users and drivers in the ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The first initiative is a $368 million bond measure to create a one-time fund to pay for streetscape enhancements, including sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure. Funding would be distributed over the next five years.

The second measure is to charge for on-street parking in the eastern half of Golden Gate Park. On-street parking in the park is now under Park & Rec authority, but would become the responsibility of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which would install meters and charge for some street parking in the park for the first time.

Park & Rec and the MTA expressed support for the parking measure, indicating it will reduce driving in the park, increase walking and biking in the park and encourage city transit use. There have been recent transit hikes, so the feeling is drivers need to ante up also.

Eighteen hundred metered parking spots may be installed as early as April 2010. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Mayor Gavin Newsom originally did not support metered street parking in the park, but has relented, given the city?EUR??,,????'?????< Both measures go before the full Board of Supervisors on July 14. If the board gives thumbs up to the streetscape bond, the measure will go before voters in November.