The Richmond is Winter 2014 talking . . . 5-Fulton Limited: The 5-Fulton is now running limited bus service for a 12-month pilot project. The service runs weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from Ocean Beach to the Planning Association Transbay Terminal. Local service is provided and Sixth Avenue to Leavenworth Street. for the Richmond All buses use the same stops on inbound PAR Leavenworth to the Transbay Terminal. The local service outbound stops at Sixth Avenue. Pedestrian signs on Lake Street: New Geary Bus Rapid Transit Project traffic pedestrian signs are now installed on Lake Street at Fifth, Seventh, 10th and features five alternatives 11th avenues. The signs are on small traffic The County Trans­ door buses—three doors on the right islands in the middle of the pedestrian portation Authority is planning a bus and two on the left—for boarding and crossings. Bicyclists should be aware that the rapid transit system for the Geary discharging passengers at the center bike lanes have a jog in them. Drivers and Corridor, following the route of the platforms. bicyclists should slow down and stay alert at current 38-Geary line, comprising the 38 In early 2013, the Transit Authority these crossings. local, the 38L and two express buses, the developed a fifth alternative in response 38AX and 38BX, which run only during to community concerns, especially from commute hours. BRT is being touted local merchants. as an inexpensive and quick alternative The BRT alternatives will result in to transit, which requires the the loss of parking spaces along Geary installation of dedicated tracks. Boulevard. The need for the limited BRT planning began not long after stop buses to pass the local ones, which the passage of Proposition K in 2003, in turn requires passing lanes in several which extended the local half-percent places, is the major reason for parking sales tax for transportation projects loss. 511 bus information: SF Muni now originally approved by the SF electorate To eliminate the need for these offers real-time bus arrival information as Proposition B in 1989. The project passing lanes, the TA has proposed by phone. Simply dial 511, ask for “public began with a feasibility study that consolidating local and limited service. continued on page 2 identified four alternatives for future The BRT buses will make all of the transit service on the Geary corridor. stops. The distance between stops Winter 2014 PAR Meeting They are: under this “consolidated option” will be • • • 1. No-build, or transportation greater than for the current local but less Updated plans for the new system management: This entails than for the current limited service. minimal, easily implemented changes With only one type of service on the La Playa Safeway such as low-floor boarding and self- alignment, there is no need for the buses & service fare collection. to pass one another and thus no need Discussion of the 2. Side-running BRT: Buses would for the passing lanes and the associated Earthquake Safety and run in their own right-of-way lane along loss of parking. The TA has suggested Emergency Response Bond the curb lanes inbound to downtown the consolidated option as a variant and outbound to 48th Avenue. of Alternative 3: center running/side Wednesday, January 15, 2013 3. Center-running/side platform platform BRT service. BRT: Buses would run in a median 7 to 9 p.m. Current Status right-of-way with platforms on the The TA is refining the project’s Richmond Recreation Center outboard side of the median. This design alternatives in working toward 251 18th Avenue service could run with existing buses. (between Clement & streets) its Locally Preferred Alternative and 4. Center-running/center platform Paid parking is available one block away summarized that effort at the most BRT: Buses would run in a median in the lot behind the Alexandria Theatre recent Geary BRT Citizens Advisory right-of-way with platforms in the between Clement Street and . Committee meeting on Thursday, Nov. center of the median. This type of Muni lines: 21. The staff is moving away from any 1 California, 2 Clement and 38 Geary service would require special, five- continued on page 3 Letter from the President ear PAR Members, Draft Long Range Development Plan was proposed projects: additional proposals for The three finalists vying held in early December. Consulting parties Bus Rapid Transit services along Muni’s for future use of the former included PAR, Friends of Lands’ End, 38-Geary line and for Limited services commissaryD building at the Presidio have People for the GGNRA and the Presidio, along its 5-Fulton line; the dredging and been asked to revise their proposals and the National Park Service GGNRA, the restoration of Mountain Lake; a number resubmit them by Jan. 17, 2014. The three University of California at San Francisco, of proposed events that would require finalists are The Bridge/Sustainability California’s Historic Preservation Office the closures of public streets, parks or Institute, The Lucas Arts Museum and the and the (national) Advisory Council on both in the Richmond District; the SF Presidio Exchange. Historic Preservation. Public Utilities Commission’s alternative In its comments regarding the initial In other news, AT&T has continued proposals for “Green Streets” in the Sea proposals, PAR suggested that, of the issuing proposed locations in the Cliff neighborhood; the SF Office of three, the Presidio Exchange was the only Richmond District for its U-verse program Economic and Workforce Investment’s one that satisfied all six goals specified sidewalk cabinets, and PAR continues proposed “Invest in the Richmond” by the Presidio Trust and all five “critical to monitor them, providing advice and initiative; and various applications to the questions” posed by the National Parks comments whenever they are requested. SF Planning Department for conditional Services Superintendent for the Golden An appeal allowing AT&T to proceed use and building permits. Gate National Recreation Area. with those plans without an environmental Here’s wishing all of you a very Happy The first meeting of the consultation review is still pending in the State’s Court 2014! I welcome your comments, questions process required by Section 106 of the of Appeals. or suggestions. National Historic Preservation Act for the PAR also continues to monitor and offer Ray Holland San Francisco Veterans Medical Center’s comments on the following actual and [email protected] Officers & Directors The Richmond is talking . . . Officers continued from page 1 Raymond Holland, President transportation,” then follow the electronic was not built to the correct specifications. Nicholas Belloni, Co–Vice President Richard Correia, Co–Vice President prompts asking for the five-digit Muni Markings on the street suggest that it will Brenda Altman, Secretary stop identification number or the location be reinstalled. It appears that Clement Christopher Wright, Treasurer of the bus stop. Street between 37th and 39th avenues Directors Grocery Outlet is now open: The new is marked for future speed humps, and Fred Altshuler Margie Hom-Brown store, at Geary Boulevard and 27th a speed hump sign on the south side of Dan Baroni Jason Jungreis Avenue, features murals at the northwest Clement Street at 39th Avenue has already Gene Brodsky Brian Larkin been installed. The posted speed limit in Julie Burns Claire Myers corner of the market on 28th Avenue. Two Eliote Durham Marjan Philhour completed murals depict Richmond icons the area is 25 mph, so slow down and be Herb Elliott Bill Shepard such as the Alexandria Theater, the ocean, alert for new speed humps. Paul Epstein Cheryl Schultz an orthodox church, and Green Apple Friends of the Urban Forest Tree Robert Fries Andy Thornley Sharon Gadberry Peter Winkelstein Books. Planting: Start off the New Year by going green. Friends of the Urban Forest Emeritus Directors Lynn Altshuler • Jim Lazarus • Ron Miguel is organizing a tree planting in the Inner Paul Rosenberg • Michele Stratton Richmond for Feb. 1, 2014. If you’re PAR Representatives in Other Organizations: interested in getting a street tree or Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground: volunteering, contact FUF at 415-561- Claire Myers 6890 or go to http//:fuf.net. Housing Action Coalition: Dan Baroni Kaiser Permanente Citizens Task Force: Storm water management: The San Peter Winkelstein Francisco Public Utilities Commission Clement Street speed humps: Several Neighborhood Associations for Presidio has started community hearings on the people were unpleasantly jolted when they Planning: Paul Epstein, Sharon Gadberry, proposed green infrastructure project for Ray Holland went over the new speed hump on Clement the Baker Beach Green Street project. Neighborhood Working Group for Presidio Street between 36th and 37th avenues, The second meeting was held December Master Plan: Ray Holland and calls to 311 about the severity of the Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee: 10, and comments on design alternatives hump were placed. Consequently, the Julie Burns for El Camino Del Mar and Sea Cliff speed hump was removed, but the sign on Presidio Restoration Advisory Board: Avenue between 25th and 26th avenues Julie Cheever 36th Avenue and Clement Street is still were accepted. Visit http://sfwater. Richmond Community Coalition: Ray Holland, there. Comments at richmondsfblog.com org/bakerbeachgreenstreet for more Nick Belloni suggest the hump was removed because it information or to comment on the project. 2 Crisis intervention is focus of special SFPD team The October General Membership of the needs of folks with autism, illnesses crisis. The SFPD intends to provide CIT meeting included a presentation by the facing veterans and issues related to the training to at least 25 percent of its patrol San Francisco Police Department and the families of consumers of mental health force. National Alliance on Mental Illness about services. CIT officers come to understand the SFPD’s Crisis Intervention Team. the stigma that exists as a barrier to CIT member officers receive treatment and how the police help can specialized training designed to enhance meet the needs of one of our most outcomes of calls involving mentally ill vulnerable communities. CIT members wear a specially persons in crisis. The training provides Nearly two hundred CIT officers are designed badge denoting their training. team members with special de-escalation deployed to district stations where, day skills and a detailed understanding of and night, in addition to their regular If you would like more information the many types of mental illness. CIT duties, they are available to respond to about crisis intervention, please visit training also provides in-depth coverage calls involving mentally ill persons in www.nami.org. Playground at Mountain Lake Park needs support Construction is scheduled to start in Recreation and Park Department and the contact Jen Fetner ([email protected]), Kate 2014 on a new children’s playground San Francisco Parks Alliance. Green ([email protected]) or Claire Myers at Mountain Lake Park located at 12th The SF Board of Supervisors and the ([email protected]). Avenue and Lake Street. SF Recreation and Park Commission Friends of Mountain Lake Park unanimously approved plans in June Playground is 80 percent of the way to 2013 for the new playground, designed having the necessary funds to make this by award-winning architects Bohlin playground a reality. Cywinski Jackson. FMLPP is a nonprofit organization For more details and to find out how of neighborhood volunteers working you can support the new playground, Created nearly 30 years ago, the existing in partnership with the San Francisco go to www.fmlpp.org/donate.html, or wooden play structure has deteriorated. Plans for Geary BRT feature five alternatives continued from page 1 of the “pure” alternatives (the center- • Alternative 4: Left-side loading/ Next Steps running and side-running options) in center-running. The special vehicles Investigations for the environmental favor of different alternatives for different (buses with five doors, including two on impact report and environmental­ impact portions of the Geary Corridor. the left side of the bus) would be difficult statement continue, with studies of Part of the reason for this change is to acquire and maintain. biological resources (such as trees) being the difficulties encountered in the designs • Masonic-area center bus-lanes: completed this fall. Next up are cultural for constrained intersections, such as As noted earlier, getting to the center- resources, air quality, energy and noise at Masonic Avenue and Divisadero and running bus stops would be a problem for studies. Fillmore streets. passengers, and the loss of parking and Another series of outreach meetings A center-running system would be trees would be greater than with a side- is scheduled, starting with stakeholder difficult to implement at Masonic Avenue running alternative in this area. meetings similar to those the TA did last and , because of the • Laguna Street to Masonic Avenue year, which included the PAR Board of difficulty in getting to bus stops in the center bus-lanes: Unless and until the Directors. Masonic Avenue tunnel and the Fillmore Fillmore Street underpass is filled in, the Peter Lauterborn of District 1 underpass. only alternative that the TA recommends Supervisor Eric Mar’s office recommends If the design were changed to side- considering is side-running BRT, for that the community take the opportunity running at those intersections, it would reasons similar to those for the Masonic- to ask questions and give the TA its make little operational sense to then area center bus-lanes. comments on the program. transition back to center-running at and on There is more detail on these options The current schedule is to release either side of Divisadero Street. and other design details contained in a the EIR/EIS in the summer 2014. The As part of their current analysis, the Nov. 20, 2013, memo to the Geary BRT complete locally preferred alternative will TA has found several options to be fatally Citizens Advisory Committee that should be released then as well. flawed. Among these are: be available at www.sfmta.com. Enter Geary BRT in the search box.

3 Join PAR PAR now and make your voice heard. Resolved: Membership is open to all persons living, working, or owning property in the Richmond Actions taken by PAR District of San Francisco. PAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your contribution is tax-deductible as provided by law. Submitted a letter to the Presidio Trust, dated Oct. 7, 2013, urging the Yes! I/we want to support the Richmond District. selection of the Golden Gate National First name(s) Last name Parks Conservancy proposed plan for the future development of the former Presidio Name of business (for business members) commissary site at Crissy Field. The letter stated that the conservancy plan was Address the only one that “meets all six goals in your (Presidio Trust’s) RFP and satisfies City State Zip all five critical questions posed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s Superintendent’s letter to the Presidio Primary phone Cell/other phone Trust on September 23.”

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