Presidio Parkway
In October we held an event with Speaker Pelosi and Caltrans to celebrate the beginning of work on the newly branded Presidio Parkway that will replace Doyle Drive, the south access to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Originally built in 1936 Doyle Drive is actually named for the then-President of AAA! It has reached the end of its useful life and the new Presidio Parkway is designed to better fit in with its setting in a National Park.

Click here to get more information about this important project for our City and region.


Muni Hearing on Bus Inspection Program
This Monday at 11:00 a.m., we're having a hearing on passenger safety on Muni and the Bus Inspection Program. I'm inviting anyone who has been a victim of crime on Muni to testify in the board Chambers (Room 250 of City Hall) and we will take public testimony at the very beginning so speakers are not inconvenienced.

For two years, I have publicly called upon SFPD to honor its 2001 Memorandum of Agreement with Muni assuring that beat officers will ride the system 2-4 times per shift.

Our new Chief, George Gascon has been responsive to these concerns and urged that we more directly focus officer time on those lines that have reported crime.

It appears that Monday's hearing prompted Muni and SFPD to renegotiate the MOU to agree to deploy resources based on crime analysis, community complaints and driver concerns.

This approach is consistent with Chief Gascon's commitment to COMPSTAT and other data-driven policing and problem solving. I'm pleased with any effort that is real and results in a safer Muni.

The Mayor and SFPD can be justifiably proud that reported crime has been reduced substantially across most categories and that homicides are running at a 30-year low. At the same time, crime on Muni is increasing and high-profile assaults on two young riders and the YouTube dust-up between two women on a Muni bus

Chief Gascon has elevated John Murphy as Deputy Chief for Muni/MTA and John has a strong background in patrol. I also want to commend Ingleside Captain David Lazar who is piloting the effort for officers to use Translink in their inspection rides so we generate data and accountability.

On November 4th, Captain Lazar deployed over 100 officers citywide in Operation Safe Muni. During the period from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. officers issued 500 citations, primarily for fare evasion, and also arrested five individuals on serious warrant violations.

Hopefully SFPD and Muni are now establishing a program that provides effective police presence to support the Proof of Payment Officers and other initiatives to make our system safe and pleasant for riders.

Hearing Details
City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee
11:00 am - Monday, November 23, 2009
City Hall Room 250

Public/Community invited this Monday to share their comments on Folsom Street Fair
This Monday, November 23rd, I am co-hosting a public meeting with the Organizers of Folsom Street to talk about the Street Fair. The meeting will take place at City Hall in Room 305 and begins at 6:00 pm. There have been some requests for public discussion of Folsom Street Fair and organizations benefitting from Fair proceeds.

I wanted to support the great work of Folsom Executive Director Demetri Moshoyannis and his hard-working volunteer Board while ensuring openness. So please come join us with your questions and concerns and we hope to have some social time after the meeting.

One of my favorite events is Real Bad the closing dance party of Folsom weekend held at 1015.

There is an incredible bond and camaraderie among all the board members and volunteers that make this one of the most effective fundraising events of the year. Real Bad XXI raised $150,000 for Dimensions Clinic, Maitri, Openhouse and Visual Aid. Kudos to my great pal, Ed Tolan, who served as XXI Chair.

Sunnyside Conservatory
The Sunnyside Conservatory re-opens on December 5th after a year-long retrofit and a decade of community advocacy. The $4 million project has been a joint venture of the Friends of the Sunnyside Conservatory and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Recreation Department.
The conservatory, on Monterey Boulevard just off of Highway 280, was built as a private retreat in 1898 by an eccentric machine inventor, W.A. Merralls, who filled it with plants and artwork. The building was to be demolished in 1979, but neighborhood residents organized and persuaded the City to purchase the site.
In 1999, A dedicated group of neighbors formed the Friends of Sunnyside Conservatory and were essential in organizing this major effort to design the new space and to secure funding through donations, bonds and the City's general fund. Neighborhood residents and I hope the restored conservatory will become a local gathering spot and oasis.
Old-growth redwood was used to restore the 1,100-square-foot octagonal building to its original character. The building has been brought up to current energy, lighting and ADA codes and the doors, windows and skylights are of the original design. The retrofitted space will host concerts, classes and gatherings.
The grand re-opening celebration is December 5th from 11:00 until 2:00. The conservatory is at 236 Monterey Boulevard. There will be bagpipes, Celtic harp, and strolling troubadour music. Children are welcome and docents will give tours and the history of the conservatory.

SAR
San Francisco is full of private shuttle buses - UCSF, Academy of Art, and South Bay employers, many of which serve or traverse District 8 neighborhoods. Most people have expressed support for the regional shuttles that avoid 320,000 passenger auto trips per year, preventing over 20 million vehicle miles travelled and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8,500-9,500 tons per year. Of 1,000 regular shuttle riders surveyed, over 63% would have otherwise driven alone.

On the flip side, there are concerns of idling and noise and complaints that the buses are too large for small streets. Some Muni riders, residents and business owners question shuttles belonging on already-crowded streets or bus zones.

In order to quantify the costs and benefits, and establish a common set of facts in which to proceed from, I initiated a study of the shuttles' impact and what regulatory tools are available to ensure that there is a peaceful balance in their use. This week, the Transportation Authority completed its draft Strategic Analysis Reports (SARs). SARs are written to frame issues and to inform policy development regarding specific transportation issues which may not be adequately ad­dressed by existing regulations or policy.

The goal of the report was to determine how best to integrate the growth of shuttles into the overall transportation system, and to manage their operations in a way that continues to realize their benefits while address­ing their impacts.

This report will come for discussion and possible approval on Tuesday, December 8th at the SFCTA's Plans and Programs meeting 10:30 a.m. in room 263 of City Hall. You can testify in person or provide comments in advance to tilly.chang@sfcta.org

A key recommendation is possibly certifying shuttles and using those fees to hire a citywide coordinator who would serve as a trouble-shooter and also hopefully consolidate some of the local shuttles that have excess capacity.

The SAR offers a guide in implementing changes that can lead to a more peaceful coexistence for all stakeholders. This is an excellent report and exemplifies the great work by our SFCTA staff.

Diamond Heights-Glen Park community meeting
I will host the next Diamond Heights-Glen Park community meeting on December 5, 2009 at 4:00 at 101 Gold Mine Drive.