Daniel Lurie's Q&A and Walk Summary

Q1: As Mayor, on day 1, do you support the full revitalization of Sunset Blvd (i.e. maintenance of green spaces and gray water installation) to bring the Boulevard’s condition on par with Park Presidio Blvd. (in the Richmond district)?

Yes. Sunset Boulevard plays a pivotal role in the transportation network of our city and deserves equal attention to Park Presidio. Revitalizing Sunset Boulevard is not just about aesthetics; it’s about improving our quality of life. Proper maintenance of green spaces will provide us with cleaner air, better stormwater management, and more beautiful surroundings that we can all enjoy. Installing greywater systems is a smart, sustainable solution that will conserve our precious water resources, something that’s crucial as we face ongoing drought conditions in California. On day one, I’ll initiate a comprehensive assessment of what’s needed to bring Sunset Boulevard up to par with Park Presidio. I’ll also push for a timeline that ensures this project gets done efficiently, with transparency and accountability at every step. As your mayor, I will prioritize this project by ensuring the necessary funding and resources are allocated and work closely with the community to make sure the revitalization efforts reflect your needs and desires.

Q2: Given the size (almost 1/2 the length of SF at ~2.6 miles long) and importance of Sunset Blvd., would you support it having its own line-item budget versus dollars coming out of the general fund?

Yes, I agree that the current method often leads to inconsistent investment and neglect of critical areas like Sunset Boulevard. That’s why I commit to pursuing and investigating the feasibility of a dedicated line item budget for it. As mayor, I intend to reimagine the broken status quo budgeting process and bringing increased accountability and transparency to how our dollars are spent. Through this restructuring, we can ensure Sunset Boulevard gets the sustained investment it deserves, allowing us to plan for its future with transparency and accountability. This approach would also help in securing additional funding sources, such as grants, specifically targeted for major infrastructure and environmental projects. As your mayor, I’m committed to making sure Sunset Boulevard is a priority in our budget planning.

Q3: Given the report on ABC News reporting on the Grand Jury's findings, would you support a complete audit of DPW?

Yes. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable when it comes to public trust, and it's essential that we ensure our city's resources are being managed efficiently and effectively. The Grand Jury's findings raise serious concerns that cannot be ignored. A full audit of DPW would allow us to identify inefficiencies, misuse of funds, or areas where improvements are needed. It would also provide an opportunity to implement necessary reforms and restore public confidence in this critical department. As mayor, I am committed to holding all city departments accountable and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

Q4: Do you support up-zoning 36th and 37th avenue per the housing element?

Zoning changes must be done thoughtfully and in consultation and communication with the neighborhood. This is one tool we can use to increase housing supply and foster vibrant, walkable neighborhoods but we must also unstick the 70,000 units of already approved housing that are stuck in the pipeline through my plan to overhaul the Department of Building Inspection. Our city is facing a significant housing crisis and faces losing even more local control over our land use decisions to the state if we do not show progress on building 82,000 new units of housing by 2031. I believe that upzoning must be done thoughtfully, with input from the community, and with careful attention to infrastructure needs, such as schools, transportation, and green spaces. As mayor, I will ensure that any changes to zoning are part of a comprehensive plan that benefits all residents and helps us build a more equitable and sustainable San Francisco.

Q5: Do you support the jurisdictional transfer of Sunset Blvd from DPW to Rec and Park?

Yes. There have been many issues under DPW’s jurisdiction over Sunset Blvd. for lack of maintenance and poor management. Examples include: overgrown trees and weeds, dead trees not being removed, piles of wood chips blocking visibility of merging traffic from Sloat blvd, a bocce ball court built on slope rendering it useless, and the fact that DPW only has 1-2 gardeners working on Sunset Blvd despite promising 4-6. Ideally, Sunset Blvd should be under the jurisdiction of Rec & Park, which would do a better job maintaining it. As mayor, I would need to conduct a cost analysis and jurisdiction transition plan to gain support and determine the best way forward. In the meantime, I will hold DPW accountable and make sure Sunset Blvd is properly maintained.

Our Walk with Daniel Lurie on Sunset Boulevard:

On Wednesday, August 28th, Friends of Sunset Boulevard (FOSB) joined mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie for a walk on Sunset Boulevard. We connected with neighbors, voiced our concerns and listened to Mr. Lurie's stance on the future management of the boulevard. We want to thank every neighbor who came out and advocated for the boulevard. While the meeting encompassed other citywide issues beyond Sunset Boulevard (e.g. crime, homelessness, drug crisis, housing etc....), the summary below focuses solely on topics related to Sunset Boulevard and neighbor's initial reactions.

Initial Reactions from Neighbors:

"The man (I.e. Daniel Lurie) was like a f***ing unicorn that descended onto Sunset Boulevard. I have never seen a candidate come out here, let alone someone who wanted to listen to us. His actions spoke louder than words." ~Anonymous (Your potty mouth neighbor requesting anonymity)

"Lurie said that he will fix the boulevard once he gets into office, but I wanted more concrete promises. I still like him because he is an outsider, so I want him to break the status quo." ~Anonymous

"Lurie is the ONLY one who showed up and engaged w/all of us who attended. It was productive, enlightening, encouraging and felt REAL!" ~ MA Zam.

"Lurie's response to 'the bocce ball court built on a slope rendered unless,' was the most entertaining and hilarious statement! Daniel's answers on the questionnaire pinpointed specific issues on Sunset Blvd and DPW." ~Multiple folks who read Lurie's response to the questionnaire above.

Sunset Boulevard concerns and Mr. Lurie's commitments:

Once elected as mayor, Mr. Lurie has committed to visiting Sunset Boulevard this November with department heads to ensure it gets the proper attention it deserves.
Neighbors asked whether he opposed or supported Prop K (Great Highway closure) which would affect the traffic on Sunset Blvd.
- Daniel met with both sides, and he was the first Mayoral candidate who opposed the measure
- He stated that City Hall should have continued the pilot program instead of rushing to put it on the ballot https://daniellurie.com/greathighway/

All non-profit and subcontractor work will be centralized:
- Centralization creates a culture of accountability and transparency
- Non-profits today have multiple contracts with various city departments that do not coordinate
- Establish key performance metrics (KPIs) for organizations who do work on Sunset Boulevard and around the city
- KPIs will allow the city to remove poor performers and reward those that perform

Create a culture of accountability:
- All department heads will need to re-interview for their jobs
- Conduct weekly meetings with department heads to ensure they are serving the public
- Ensures areas like Sunset Boulevard that have been historically neglected, will get the attention it deserves

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