Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
Slow Streets
For fans of slow streets, there’s hope that SFMTA will keep the program going into the future. Begun as a part of San Francisco’s Public Health Order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, slow streets were prioritized to provide low-stress pedestrian and bicycle routes, additional outdoor space, and to augment limited MUNI service during the shutdowns. The numbers are in, and slow streets saw 35% reduced traffic, 36% decrease in collisions, and increases in both bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
The Bay Area Monitor’s transportation maven Cecily O’Connor reported on the success of slow streets, and cities exploring expanded programs, in the December 2020 edition.
Redrawing Districts
Redistricting: An important way to keep pace with changing populations and make sure that each elected official represents the same number of people, or a political tool to gerrymander boundaries that benefit politicians? In Alameda county, that very much depends on public input. In Oakland, for the first time, an independent citizen commission will determine the borders. To educate the public, the League of Women Voters of Oakland is hosting an online event this Monday, October 4th, at 6-7pm. Join to learn what redistricting is, what the league is doing, and how you can make your voice heard.
State of the Estuary
Today is the last day to sign up for the San Francisco Estuary Partnership’s State of the Estuary Summit. Tomorrow’s all day session will cover all things estuary, putting the spotlight on environmental justice, community engagement, and climate resilience. The session begins at 9:30am, and the morning plenaries will feature speakers like congresswoman Jackie Speier presenting on the future of climate adaptation. Register today to attend.
Hidden Heroes
Another last call, but this time for Greenbelt Alliance’s Hidden Heroes. Tune into their youtube channel tomorrow at 4pm to view short films that tell the stories of the Greenbelt’s Hidden Heroes: Adria Arko, recognized for fostering nature-based climate adaptation, Warren Logan, for planning for resilience, and Michelle Whitman, for promoting abundant climate-SMART (sustainable, mixed, affordable, resilient, transit-oriented) housing. You can also register for the event here.
Monitor Notes is produced by Michael Adamson. To receive it by email, scroll to the bottom of this page, enter your email address in the box under “RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES,” and click the red “SIGN UP” button.