Slow Streets signage on Hearst Avenue going in

Today workers from the Dept of Public Works are installing the signage for Slow Streets on Hearst Avenue. As of midday, they have finished from Baden to Edna, which leaves Foerster to Ridgewood to be done. There are seven intersections total, and all will be well signed.

Detroit and Hearst. New Slow Streets signage. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association

The signage has two parts, three plastic soft-hit posts on the roadway with signs attached, and a large “ROADWAY CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC” on a standard metal pole in the sidewalk. Local access by residents and visitors is not in any way prohibited. Families traveling to and from local schools are likewise not impacted by the program.

Edna and Hearst. DPW at work. Photo: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association

What is “Slow Streets”? From the SFMTA website:

The SFMTA’s Slow Streets program is designed to limit through traffic on certain residential streets and allow them to be used as a shared space for people traveling by foot and by bicycle. Throughout the city, nearly thirty corridors have been implemented as a Slow Street. On these Slow Streets, signage and barricades have been placed to minimize through vehicle traffic and prioritize walking and biking. The goal of the Slow Streets program is to provide more space for socially distant essential travel and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program

Isabel is checking out the new signs. Photo: Ken Hollenbeck

Business is Blossoming on the Boulevard

With the arrival of Yellow Tier guidelines for San Francisco, businesses on Monterey Blvd are getting close to pre-Covid operations. If you’re feeling more confident these days, consider patronizing our local restaurants, salons, barbershops, cafés, or other businesses.

All but one of the restaurants listed before are open for indoor dining now, though at reduced capacity. Our many local personal service businesses can now operate at full capacity, such as salons, barbers, and spas. There are no restrictions in retail stores except the requirement for masks.

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May 3: SNA Quarterly Meeting

You are invited to Sunnyside Neighborhood Association’s May Quarterly Meeting.

Monday May 3rd, 2021, 6:30 – 8:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting link below image.

On the agenda: District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar is our guest for the meeting; we’ll hear news from around the district and the supervisor will address your questions and concerns. This meeting will also have an open discussion period for your neighborhood concerns. The Detroit Steps Project will give an update, including news on their recent grant. There will also be updates from WTPCC and the Balboa Reservoir Project, as well as news about a local free food pantry. View slides for meeting here (PDF).

Covid-era District 7 Participatory Budgeting now open

From District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar:

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members propose projects and collectively decide how to spend part of a public budget. Former Supervisor Norman Yee launched the Participatory Budget initiative in 2013 and funded over 120 projects within District 7. Supervisor Melgar is committed to continuing to build strong communities and increasing civic participation through this initiative. We appreciate how engaged and invested District 7 residents have been in improving our neighborhoods and increasing quality of life for all who live and visit our District.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing efforts to recover and reopen our city, we are unable to engage in the traditional PB process during this budget cycle.

This year, in our commitment to honor the intent of PB and remain responsive to community needs and interest, we are launching a one-time Community Grants Initiative to support ongoing recovery and resiliency efforts under previous or existing PB projects that have successfully been through the community vetting process. We will not be able to accept new applicants for these grants due to the shortened selection process. We look forward to engaging in the full Participatory Budgeting process later this year as we plan for the next Budget cycle.

FUNDING

Grants awarded will range from $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000. A total of $250,000 will be awarded collectively under this Community Grants Initiative.

Dancin’ for a Second Shot

A bit of timely sidewalk art on Monterey Blvd. from local chalkeur Amar Pai.

Photo courtesy Michele Winter