Breed breaks her pledge by keeping JFK Drive closed

Regarding “Keep cars off JFK Drive for good” (Editorial, Dec. 26): Ablebodied policymakers often fail to “walk a mile” in the paths of those with disabilities, resulting in inhibitory, unintended and discriminatory consequences.

On April 27, 2020, Mayor London Breed held a press conference and issued a press release closing the eastern section of John F. Kennedy Drive to vehicle traffic through the course of her stay-at-home order. JFK Drive would remain closed, she said, only “until the Stay Home Order is lifted.” Mayor Breed broke her word. She lifted the order on Jan. 25, 2021, but kept JFK Drive closed to cars.

JFK Drive has long been an important roadway for seniors and disabled people to enjoy numerous public facilities. Our communities comprise nearly a quarter of our city’s population. The closure has been a real hardship because most disabled people and partially able seniors cannot bicycle, roller skate or even ride motorized scooters. Many of us can’t walk or wheel very far, or at all. Neither Muni nor any “shuttle” serve all the facilities within the Park.

It is time to reopen JFK Drive so that all San Franciscans and tourists can enjoy the access to which we all are legally entitled. Bob Planthold and Tomasita Medal,

San Francisco

Thanks to ambassadors

Regarding “Breed’s Tenderloin ambassadors praised” (Front Page, Dec. 30): Applause for the article on San Francisco’s goodwill street ambassadors from Urban Alchemy.

Their positive presence can be felt and seen in areas around the Tenderloin, and for those living there with children, a most welcome feeling of safety.

While we can complain, and we do, Urban Alchemy is offering hope. The members of Urban Alchemy are providing an important service, and I hope we will thank them and continue to fund them.

Helen Hilton Raiser, San Francisco

Prepare for rising seas

Imagine standing at the waterfront and tossing all your money into the waves, one bill at a time. You won’t be able to get the money back and you can’t use it once it’s gone. But throwing money into the ocean is less wasteful than what San Francisco is doing right now.

Sea levels are rising and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has already mapped out large areas on the city’s east, north and west sides, plus Treasure Island, that will soon be underwater. So what is the city’s response? To build mega-housing projects in most of these doomed areas.

Not only is this actually throwing money into the ocean, it is throwing people in as well and diverting resources from adaptation work that needs to happen if San Francisco is to survive. The city needs to fast-track and fund useful responses to climate change instead of building more developer wet dreams.

Ellen Koivisto, San Francisco

Help S.F. businesses

Wandering through the San Francisco Financial District with all its shut down businesses (including restaurants), I can’t keep from wondering why no one (to my knowledge) has proposed a scheme to recapitalize them (likely the only way they will ever reopen, especially in the short to medium term) with low- or no-interest slow amortization loans.

The city and state have to take the lead on this and also try to mobilize the business and financial community’s support if San Francisco is going to regain its full vibrancy.

Mitchell Gitin, San Francisco

A unique city

There is a good reason San Francisco is considered the kook capital of the world.

What other city would complain when the mayor vows to fight crime?

William Boyle, Novato

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle 2020 People enjoy a car-free John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park in June 2020. The closure at the onset of the pandemic was supposed to be temporary.