Many local officials and media outlets have portrayed Proposition K’s opponents as anti-park and pro-freeway without explaining why or acknowledging the pain that informed some of their positions. Through extensive interviews, the San Francisco Public Press found that many, especially older Chinese American residents, have felt dismissed and sidelined in discussions about transportation and land-use policy for decades.
Author Archives: Zhe Wu
Zhe Wu is a reporter who is interested in covering stories related to the Asian American community. Previously, she has covered education and local community issues in the East Bay for Oakland North, Oaklandside and Berkelyside. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, English and a bit of Hakka. She arrived at the Public Press in 2023 as a member of the first cohort of the California Local News Fellowship program, a multi-year, state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. Zhe Wu received the 2025 award for Outstanding Emerging Journalist from the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California Chapter.
Posted inImmigration, Politics
As Trump Challenges Birthright Citizenship, SF Chinese Americans Prepare for a Familiar Fight
A Chinatown organization won a legal victory for birthright citizenship a century ago. Now the community is once again embracing its legacy of fighting for immigrant rights.
Posted inCommunity, Elections, Government & Politics
Some Hope Mayor Lurie’s Inaugural Party a Turning Point for Chinatown
For years, Chinatown organizations have worked to draw large numbers of visitors to the area to revitalize it in the pandemic’s aftermath. They finally pulled it off for Mayor Daniel Lurie’s inaugural banquet.
Some key figures in the community hope this marks a turning point for the area. Meanwhile, some merchants are skeptical and question whether the energy will last.
Posted inCommunity, Elections, Government & Politics, Parks & Open Space, Transportation
State Commission Gives Green Light to Close SF’s Great Highway to Cars
San Francisco on Thursday received state approval to proceed with closing a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to car traffic as early as spring 2025, and to begin planning a long-term park on that stretch of road. The car-free highway will have separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, along with a new continuous bike lane connecting Daly City to Golden Gate Park.
Posted inCommunity, Elections, Government & Politics, Transportation
Attempt to Recall SF Supervisor Engardio Faces Uphill Battle
An effort is under way to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio for supporting the closure of a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to cars. Anti-incumbent sentiment persists in San Francisco, but wealthy donors are unlikely to support a recall and would probably back the supervisor financially should he face voters in a special election.
Posted inElections, Government & Politics, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide
San Francisco Proposition Results for Nov. 5 Election
The San Francisco Public Press is publishing results for the 15 local propositions on the November 5 ballot.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Elections, Parks & Open Space, Transportation
What Binds People to Great Highway, and Divides Them on Proposition K
For the latest episode of our podcast “Civic,” we interview multiple people about their relationships with the Great Highway and how those connections affect their feelings about Proposition K.
The local ballot measure would close a 2-mile stretch of the coastal road to cars, and put it on track to becoming a new park.
Posted inElections, Neighborhoods, Transportation
Analysis: What Would Really Happen to Traffic if SF’s Great Highway Closed?
Perhaps no local issue in this election is more contentious than Proposition K, which would close the Upper Great Highway to cars and move it closer to becoming a park.
Supporters and opponents have sparred over how the measure’s passage would affect traffic in San Francisco. To find out what’s true, we examined multiple studies, and spoke with their authors and experts not affiliated with the city.
Posted inCity Hall, Education, Elections, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide
Proposition J — Increase Oversight of City Funding for Children and Youth Programs
See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition J would create an oversight body to evaluate local government expenditures on programs benefiting children and youths. If the oversight team discovered inappropriate or unnecessary […]
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Land use, Parks & Open Space, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide, Transportation
Proposition K — Authorize Great Highway to Become Car-Free, Possibly a Park
NEW: Read our analysis of the likely traffic impacts if Proposition K passed and the Upper Great Highway closed to cars, published Oct. 31. See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition K […]