From the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS):
The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services is currently conducting the 2022 Dignity Fund Community Needs Assessment (DFCNA) to understand the strengths, challenges, and gaps in services to older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco.
The District 7 Community Forum is taking place on Monday, December 6th 11:00-12:30. Register here .
We are hoping to hear from as many older adults as possible to inform the next round of funding for services for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
DAS also has a single webpage corralling all the information about the DFCNA and ways for community members to share their input with the Department. This site is now live: sfhsa.org/DFCNA.
Lila Carrillo, Legislative Aide to D7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, gave this reply:
“Rest assured that Havelock Pedestrian Bridge and landing is a priority space for us to help improve, and the complexity of it will not deter us. Very shortly after Supervisor Melgar took office, Christine [Weibel, author of The Havelock Street Bridge Beautification and Safety Project] reached out to us to put this on our radar. Since then, we’ve been actively engaged with understanding the nuances of this space and connecting with agencies (especially CalTrans, who’s the most difficult to reach) to solve for: 1) who has jurisdiction over what, 2) who would “own” what project, 3) true costs and implications for every action item, etc. Although we are not yet where we’d like to be, we are firm in our advocacy for resources and improvements needed for the Havelock Bridge and pedestrian area.
“As we work with DPW to fulfill the vision and scope of the PB project, we are working simultaneously with SFMTA to prioritize the crosswalk. The most recent update we received is that funds transfer was initiated early this month to Public Works, they should have the funding in-hand in approximately three weeks. MTA has also asked DPW to provide us with info on how soon they can schedule the work and how long it will take them to complete. I will keep SNA updated on that timeline, once we receive it.”
Let’s take a walk through the Sunnyside neighborhood in San Francisco. Head south on Edna Street where it meets Havelock. Straight ahead you’ll see the lush green bushes and the fence for the City College tennis courts. Now look left, and there it is—the Havelock Street Bridge—the main pathway over the freeway, connecting Sunnyside to the wide green lawns, playgrounds, off-leash dog park, swimming pool, and other facilities at Balboa Park in District 11.
What comes to mind is, how does one safely cross? There is no crosswalk to access the bridge and no sidewalk on the south side of Havelock Street. Peering even farther left, at the corner of Circular Avenue, cars and bicycles treat this intersection as a quick yield. With no other traffic entering from the east, cars typically roll through the intersection, even though there is a stop sign.
Intersection of Havelock and Circular, entrance to the Havelock Street Bridge.
Once across the street and on the bridge, something else becomes visibly apparent. This bridge is ugly. It is riddled in graffiti and discarded litter ranging from broken glass to dirty diapers. This concrete jungle pathway, connecting two oases, is an eye sore and doesn’t reflect the warmth and beauty of the Sunnyside and Mission Terrace neighborhoods, or the wonderful park on the other side.
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Havelock Bridge. Photo: Estelle Smith
Why? Why is there no crosswalk? Why is the bridge repeatedly vandalized? This is the crux of this article. All bureaucratic roads lead back to here. So, let’s start with how we got here and how we can move forward.
San Franciscans ages 65 and older are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are free to people who live or work in San Francisco. You do not need insurance to book an appointment.
Below please find 3 steps to help seniors get vaccinated:
If you are assisting someone to book an appointment you will need their information:
Name
Date of birth
Address
Insurance (only if they have it)
Check transportation options and accessibility for the vaccine site before you go
Muni and Paratransit are free for anyone traveling to and from COVID-19 vaccine appointments. SFMTA is also providing additional access to taxi service for those using the Essential Trip Card.
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association 