Mark Farrell's Q&A and Walk Summary

Q1: As Mayor, on day 1, do you support the full revitalization of Sunset Blvd (i.e. maintenance of green spaces and gray water installation) to bring the Boulevard’s condition on par with Park Presidio Blvd. (in the Richmond district)?

Yes. Sunset Boulevard is the heart of the Sunset, but for too long the Westside has been neglected in favor of capital improvements elsewhere. As Mayor, I’ll work with neighbors, small businesses, community organizations, and other City leaders to finally make Sunset Boulevard the welcoming place that the Sunset deserves.

Q2: Given the size (almost 1/2 the length of SF at ~2.6 miles long) and importance of Sunset Blvd., would you support it having its own line-item budget versus dollars coming out of the general fund?

Yes. I was the longest-serving Budget Chair in San Francisco history, and I’m the only candidate in this race with significant private-sector experience in finance, so I know what it takes to get capital projects across the finish line with effective fiscal oversight. Residents and small businesses simply cannot afford to let Sunset Boulevard become yet another quagmire that takes years longer and costs hundreds of millions of dollars more than expected. As Mayor, I’ll focus on neighborhood priorities while delivering fiscal responsibility in projects like the Sunset Boulevard revitalization.

Q3: Given the report on ABC News reporting on the Grand Jury's findings, would you support a complete audit of DPW?

Yes. San Franciscans depend on their local government to deliver infrastructure improvements on time and within budget, but during Mayor Breed’s tenure we’ve seen more of the same: inefficiency, waste, and corruption. As Mayor, I’ll demand accountability from City departments and contractors to ensure that we no longer tolerate underperformance and abuse. That includes auditing DPW––and all public spending––within my first 100 days in office, requiring department leadership to justify remaining in their roles, and implementing objective performance benchmarks, as well as real consequences for failing to meet them. Mayor Breed has presided over the biggest City Hall corruption scandal in San Francisco history, and voters have an opportunity to make clear that enough is enough.

Q4: Do you support up-zoning 36th and 37th avenue per the housing element?

I support zoning changes with conditions and in close partnership with affected communities. I’m running for Mayor to make San Francisco a welcoming and affordable place for families, and that means creating enough homes to get us out of our housing crisis. My housing plan would focus on lifting height limits in the Financial District, SoMA, and Mission Bay, modestly increasing heights on corner lots and around select transit and commercial corridors on the Westside and Northside, and implementing form-based density development across the City. That doesn’t mean sticking giant high-rises on the waterfront or in residential neighborhoods, but rather implementing targeted rezoning, cutting needless red tape, and providing real incentives.

Q5: Do you support the jurisdictional transfer of Sunset Blvd from DPW to Rec and Park?

This will depend on the results of my departmental audits, whether voters approve or reject the measure to close the Great Highway to cars, and additional community outreach efforts. Although the City needs to revitalize and maintain the public green spaces around Sunset Boulevard to the highest standards, as described above, any changes in traffic patterns that could result from closing Great Highway will weigh on how we can best deliver a seamless and efficient transportation experience along Sunset Boulevard, including the decision whether to transfer control from DPW to Rec and Park. Additionally, I’ll want to review clear evidence that Rec and Park can effectively take on a commitment this important to the community before deciding one way or the other.

Our Walk with Mark Farrell on Sunset Boulevard:

On Sunday, September 15th, Friends of Sunset Boulevard (FOSB) and neighbors joined mayoral candidate Mark Farrell for a walk on Sunset Boulevard to view the current conditions and challenges the Blvd faces.

Initial Reactions from Neighbors:

"It was refreshing to hear that Mark understands that city government has stopped listening to its constituents ‘doing to them rather than for them’. Mark stressed the importance of neighborhood engagement and input and holding city officials accountable.” ~Anonymous

"Mark can deliver on safety, which is important for me, but I am not sure at what cost." ~Anonymous

"I was pleasantly surprised to know that he is a business man. I think that the City needs to be run more like a business-cut wasteful spending, fix problems, and fire people that are not performing up to standards." ~Anonymous

Sunset Boulevard concerns and Mr. Farrell's commitments:

In his first month in office, Mr. Farrell will assign a single point of contact from his office to ensure Sunset Blvd. gets the attention needed.
Mr. Farrell does not support Prop K (permanent closure of the Great Highway), which will divert traffic to Sunset Blvd.
Neighbors feel the Blvd. has been ignored due to a lack of accountability from DPW
Mr. Farrell intends to hold officials and civil servants accountable by reducing city commissions once Prop D passes.
Mark stated the following, "I'm absolutely open to switching to rec and park. We do need to audit and review it. But specifically, the greenway should be oversight and management to Rec and Park."

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