Pedestrian plan eliminated for park Concourse

On July 13 the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority eliminated the Concourse traffic plan promised to voters in Proposition J.

The plan, known as Alternative 3, would allow full access to the front of the museums for handicapped and elderly visitors, as well as for Muni. Alternative 3 would prohibit all other automobile traffic from passing through the Concourse, providing the promise of a "pedestrian oasis", as approved by the voters. The alternative provides for passenger drop-off zones at the east and west ends of the Concourse.

The plan was supported by a number of organizations, including the Pedestrian Safety Task Force (appointed by the Board of Supervisors), the Sierra Club, and Walk San Francisco.

The vote of the Concourse Authority was 5 - 2, with Commissioners Douglas Moran and John Rizzo voting in the minority.

The majority indicated a preference for Alternative 1, which would not change traffic patterns from the full auto access that existed before the Concourse was closed for construction. Alternative 2, a compromise plan that would allow auto access in the Concourse from the south (but not the north), was not eliminated at this time.

President Nancy Connor and chief executive officer Michael Ellzey would not say when a final alternative would be selected.

What You Can Do

Contact the public officials in charge:

Concourse Authority CEO Michael Ellzey
mike.ellzey@sfgov.org

Concourse Authority President Nancy Connor
conner5@earthlink.net

Supervisor Aaron Peskin
Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org

Tell them to reinstate Alternative 3, or at least to select Alternative 2.