Urbano Drive, the Ingleside Terraces street built atop the old Ingleside Racetrack, may be in the running to become Ingleside’s Slow Street, a stretch of roadway closed to traffic for easing social distancing and promoting exercise.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency had originally chosen Holloway Avenue as the neighborhood’s Slow Street but the San Francisco Fire Department spiked the choice because its vehicles frequently use the street.
Urbano Drive was recommended as an alternative by the firefighters at Station 15, the firehouse located at Frida Kahlo Way and Ocean Avenue, according to a May 11 post on the firefighter union’s Facebook page.
The post stated Urbano Drive is a good prospect because “1. it used to be a race track so it’s shape in conducive of exercise 2. it is a residential area with families 3. It is a good way for a bike rider to get from Ocean Ave to 19th and Holloway with little impact to our response pattern.”
The SFMTA declined to comment on whether Urbano Drive is under consideration to be Ingleside’s Slow Street despite confirming the neighborhood will eventually get a Slow Street.
“We continue to work with key stakeholders across all districts to update the program,” SFMTA spokesperson Erica Kato told The Light via email. “Please continue to monitor sfmta.com/SlowStreets for any new details once available — or subscribe to our blog.”
The San Francisco Fire Department did not respond to a request for comment.
The SFMTA has been grappling with its Slow Streets program, which Oakland has already successfully launched, mainly due to lack of communication with public officials and residents.
In North Beach, the North Beach Neighbors Association and District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin are planning to use their Slow Street as a means to aid the economic recovery of small business there. Berkeley will be fully closing streets to create open air dining rooms, according to a dispatch from Eater SF.
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