Treasure Island residents press board on sidewalks, parking and transit access

Several Treasure Island residents used public comment at the April 16 Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) meeting to press the authority for faster fixes to sidewalks, parking and transit connections to Yerba Buena Island.

Residents said cracked sidewalks, potholes and limited nearby parking pose daily hazards for seniors, people who use mobility devices and families, and they asked the board to restore shuttle service, require developers to activate car-share services when buildings open and add shelters and real-time signage at bus stops.

"There are brand new bus stops on 7 Seas Avenue. They're nice. I love the boarding islands. I am perplexed that there are no bus shelters or real time arrival signage," said Eric Dastamolci, a resident of Isle House, who said he relies on public transit and urged the authority to ensure transit is in place before new households arrive.

Resident Shelly, who lives at Starview Court, said parking at her building is limited and that more remote, free spaces are difficult for some neighbors to reach. "Right now, we appreciate where we are parking, but I've heard that's not gonna be available," she said, adding the costs of alternatives are burdensome for some residents.

TIDA Executive Director Bob Beck acknowledged the concerns and said the authority is balancing project policy, citywide parking rules and transportation planning. "The development in San Francisco... is grandfathered by the city policy and city policy in the last 10, 20 years is for development to get away from" one-to-one parking, Beck said, adding that some interim lots currently used by residents will ultimately be incorporated into the development.

On transit, Beck and program staff reiterated ongoing coordination with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. "Transportation is key to the development of Treasure Island," Beck said. He noted past pilots for shuttles and an EPA grant that included a shuttle, and confirmed that the island's transportation subcommittee regularly addresses those issues.

1 Treasure Island program staff member Nova Goncalves told the meeting the organization is working with the county transportation authority to replace bus shelters on Treasure Island and is tracking that work for residents.

Several residents urged the board to require developers to activate promised car-share operations and to make service available when residential buildings open rather than years later. Kevin Elizabeth Kempf, a resident who said she has filed service requests, urged the board to seek a return of a shuttle that would be easier to ride for people with mobility issues than a standard bus.

The board heard multiple requests to improve curb delineation at the Palms and Cleaver Cove intersection, to address early-morning construction traffic, and to increase enforcement or surveillance to prevent illegal dumping. Directors said staff would track the maintenance complaints and return with updates.

Ending: Directors said transportation and accessibility will remain on upcoming agendas as the authority coordinates with developers, SFMTA and other city agencies to mitigate construction impacts and provide transit and parking solutions as new housing and parks open.