We, the undersigned, request an immediate and comprehensive Traffic Impact Assessment of the Sloat Boulevard Quick-Build Project, which recently began construction along Sloat Boulevard from the Great Highway to Skyline Boulevard.

Why We Are Petitioning

The project proceeded without any meaningful outreach to the residents or businesses that rely on this corridor daily. Many community members were unaware of the scope, timeline, or impacts before construction began. Whether outreach was insufficient, unclear, or missed entirely, the outcome is the same: the Sunset District did not receive a transparent or accessible process.

The changes made so far including significant parking removal, and reconfigured loading and access zones, were presented as safety improvements. However, the actual consequences have been profoundly detrimental:

Community Impacts

●      Loss of approximately 50 parking spaces, reducing access for families, seniors, workers, and local visitors.

●      Significant hardship to local businesses, including Java Beach at the Zoo (at 2650 Sloat), a community-serving café operating since 2008.

●      Reduced access for older adults and mobility-limited residents visiting the United Irish Cultural Center (UICC), a 501c3 nonprofit, the first Irish social center in the United States built entirely by volunteer labor and community contributions, promoting and preserving Irish culture in the City since 1971.

●      Low observed bicycle usage along this segment raises questions about whether the design matches actual travel patterns.

●     A lack of balance between safety goals and the essential functioning of neighborhood-serving establishments.

● Additionally, the rerouting of vehicles to Sunset Boulevard and the loss of the southbound road to Skyline, has significantly decreased the amount of exposure to Java Beach Cafe.

What We Are Asking For

We support safe streets. We support multimodal transportation. But these goals must be achieved in a way that respects the needs of the community that lives and works here and future generations. We therefore request that the City:

1.     Reevaluate the current Sloat Boulevard design, including exploring a Fell-Street-style configuration that protects cyclists while restoring needed access and parking.

2.     Conduct an evaluation study, using real usage and access data to determine whether modifications are required.

3.     Add Green Zones (short-term parking/loading) in front of businesses like Java Beach at the Zoo to restore basic customer access.

4.     Engage in direct, substantive community outreach with Sunset District residents, businesses, and the UICC before further changes are made.

5.     Implement substantial support or mitigation strategies for businesses and institutions that face significant and measurable negative impacts as a result of the project.

We ask the City to work collaboratively with the community to ensure that transportation improvements do not come at the expense of accessibility, cultural continuity, or neighborhood vitality.