Yes on Proposition K
Permanently close part of Great Highway
What is it?
Proposition K would close a section of the Upper Great Highway between Lincoln and Sloat, and only permit pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency services to use the road. Currently, the Upper Great Highway is closed to cars on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The intention of Prop K is to kick off a conversion of the road into an oceanside park. Converting it into a park will require approval by the California Coastal Commission.
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Traffic Impacts
According to SFMTA, commute times for those who use the road will increase by just 1 to 3 minutes. Those commuters will take Sunset Boulevard instead of Upper Great Highway.
History
During the COVID pandemic, the City closed down the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard (the so-called "Upper Great Highway"). Two years later, in May of 2022, the City replaced the temporary pandemic closure with a pilot program to close down the Upper Great Highway to vehicles on Friday afternoons, weekends, and holidays. Emergency, government, and transportation vehicles were allowed to use the Great Highway at all times — ensuring emergency access and accessibility.
Since then, the Great Highway has been fully open to car traffic Monday morning through Friday afternoon, and closed to car traffic from Friday afternoon to Sunday night.
Fiscal impacts
Prop K would produce modest immediate savings to the City to the tune of about $1.5 million, primarily due to one-time capital project savings. It may save an additional $350,000 to $700,000 per year in maintenance costs.
However, Prop K is setting the stage for further modifications to Upper Great Highway, which will require additional funding.
Why is this on the ballot?
This was placed on the ballot by four or more members of the Board of Supervisors, but fewer than a simple majority of six. Since the law didn't have majority support, the Supervisors in the minority are taking it directly to the voters. It needs simple majority of 50% + 1 to pass.
- Sponsor: Supervisor Joel Engardio
- Co-Sponsors: Supervisors Myrna Melgar, Dean Preston, Rafael Mandelman, and Matt Dorsey
- Placed on ballot by: Joel Engardio, Myrna Melgar, Dean Preston, Rafael Mandelman, and Matt Dorsey
Why vote Yes?
We'd love to have a permanent oceanfront park, and Prop K is the first step.
GrowSF believes in making San Francisco the most livable city possible, and we consider a new oceanfront park to squarely align with our values. The temporary oceanfront park has received thousands of visitors and we should make it permanent.
Vote Yes on Proposition K to begin the transformation into a permanent oceanfront park.