The Office of District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar announced the winners of the latest round of Participatory Budgeting on Tuesday, and several are in the neighborhood.
The program is designed to foster civic participation by empowering residents to propose, vet and then vote to allocate tax dollars toward a range of projects from security cameras to public art installations.
Melgar, who represents much of the greater Ingleside, fought to retain participatory budgeting in a budget year with an $800 million deficit, according to an announcement.
This cycle, $400,000 was allocated to the program, much less than in prior years. For instance, 15 projects were funded last year. Ten proposals were submitted. The announcement did not specify how many people voted on the proposals. A proposal for events on Ocean Avenue received the third most votes with 416.
The eight winning proposals:
Median improvements in Monterey Heights
We want to replace overgrown plants with new landscaping at Monterey Boulevard and San Jacinto Way.
New curb ramps in Westwood Park
We want to build two new curb ramps in Westwood Park. These ramps would help people using strollers and wheelchairs move around more easily.
Updated Playground and black top at West Portal Elementary School
We want to replace planting beds and improve open space at West Portal Elementary School. These areas were removed or blocked off during construction.
Mural on Monterey Boulevard
We want to paint a mural on the wall of the Safeway on Monterey Boulevard. This would help beautify the area and help prevent graffiti.
Mural and Signage updates at Commodore Sloat Elementary
We want to replace the wooden sign at Commodore Sloat Elementary that faces Ocean Avenue. We also want to add a mural to enhance the school’s outdoor space.
Sidewalk repair in Ingleside Terraces
We want to fix 2 to 4 cracked sidewalks in and around Ingleside Terraces.
Daylighting and bollards in Sunnyside
We want to paint curbs and add posts or planters at two intersections in Sunnyside. This would make it easier for drivers to see people crossing the street.
Events on Ocean Avenue
We want to host a series of art pop-up events on Ocean Avenue, building on one we held in June 2024. These events would bring people together through art and culture at local businesses.
Proposals for murals at the Inner Sunset's Wah Mei School and Forest Knolls' Clarendon Elementary School did not win enough votes to be funded.
Participatory Budgeting was brought to San Francisco in 2012 by then-District 3 Supervisor David Chiu and picked up in 2013 by District 7 Supervisor Norman Yee.
Last year, District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen told The Light, before she was elected, that she wanted to implement participatory budgeting.
Alex Mullaney founded The Ingleside Light in 2008 during the peak of San Francisco's great tradition of neighborhood newspapers. He is the publisher and editor.
