Recall Effort Against SF Supervisor Joel Engardio Grows Following Measure K Passage

A recall effort against San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio grew larger over the weekend following the passage of a controversial city measure earlier this month, which he supported, that permanently closes the Upper Great Highway to cars in favor of making a new park.

For years, San Franciscans have been split over what to do about the Upper Great Highway on the Western side of the city, where it runs alongside the beach. While many see it as a vital roadway, it’s closure to vehicle traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic led many to want to see a permanent closure. In 2022, COVID restrictions gave way to a pilot program that bans most vehicle traffic there on weekends, Friday afternoons, and on holidays. And, despite many in the public hating the pilot program, which is expected to run through the end of 2025, Supervisor Engardio helped bring about Measure K this year, which makes the ban permanent.

According to Measure K, it will allow the City to use the Upper Great Highway for public open recreation space, permanently closing it to private motor vehicles seven days a week, with limited exceptions. It would also continue to allow emergency vehicles, official government vehicles, intra-park transit shuttle buses and similar authorized vehicles to access the Upper Great Highway at all times.

For the past several months leading up to the election, the San Francisco public was divided over Measure K, with the majority in his district opposing it. Nonetheless, Engardio moved forward with it and the city vote prevailed, passing with 54.5% of the vote 204,788 to 169,643 votes. While the vote was tight, it was officially announced the day after election day. Supporters, led by Engardio, praised the vote overcoming the threshold.

“People who live out by Ocean Beach, people who live throughout the Sunset came together, came up with this idea to create something, a better use for this road that’s losing its greatest utility,” exclaimed Engardio. “And so they came to me with this idea and I supported it. I believe in it. I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s good for the Sunset and good for San Francisco. Supporting the park was the right decision.”

The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, which will oversee the closure, said that with the passage of Measure K that traffic will be closed off permanently early next year. Department spokesman Daniel Montes added that “We expect the Great Highway to become a full-time promenade in early 2025.”

A growing recall effort against Engardio

However, the passage of Measure K has kickstarted a recall effort against Engardio as a result, as a majority of Sunset District and Richmond District residents had outright opposed the Measure and see Engardio’s efforts as a major betrayal. Richie Greenberg, the founder of and media spokesman for the recall of DA Chesa Boudin, which ultimately succeeded in 2022, has been amongst those currently building up a recall effort against him.