The Great Highway's End: A Necessary Sacrifice for San Francisco's Future

Why We Must Let Go

As San Francisco grapples with a growing urban crisis, the Great Highway stands as a stark symbol of our city's misplaced priorities. Once a vital artery connecting communities, it has become an eyesore—neglected, underused, and increasingly dangerous. The time has come to make a bold decision: let it go so that Sunset Dunes can live.

"We must ask ourselves what kind of city we want for our children. A place of history and nostalgia, or one that moves forward with purpose?"

This isn't about preserving the past—it's about making room for the future. The Great Highway is a burden that no longer serves the public good. Its current condition reflects not just decay, but a failure to reimagine how our neighborhoods should function in a modern era.

What's at Stake

The proposal to demolish the Great Highway isn't merely about removing a road—it's about transforming an entire district. Sunset Dunes, located near Ocean Beach, is poised for development that could bring new housing, green spaces, and community amenities to a region desperately in need of them.

• Residential growth that aligns with current demand
• New public parks and recreation areas
• Improved accessibility without sacrificing the area's natural beauty

The Great Highway, once seen as a necessary link between communities, has long since outlived its usefulness. It was built in the early 1900s to serve a different era—one that no longer exists. The infrastructure we're maintaining today isn't sustainable for tomorrow's needs.

A Call to Action

As an editorial board, I've watched this issue unfold over the past several years with growing concern. Many residents have voiced their opinions—some in favor of keeping it, others in favor of tearing it down. But what matters most is that we're asking the right questions:

1. Is this structure a public asset or a liability?
2. What are we really trying to preserve: history or progress?
3. How do we honor the past without trapping ourselves in it?

The answer is clear. We must act decisively, guided by what will benefit San Francisco's residents most. The Great Highway is not just a road—it's a metaphor for how we choose to evolve as a city.

Building Tomorrow

Sunset Dunes represents more than just land waiting to be developed. It's an opportunity—a chance to build something better, more inclusive, and more resilient than what came before. With thoughtful planning, this area can become a model for sustainable urban development in our city.

We've seen similar transformations happen across the globe. Cities like Barcelona and Copenhagen have successfully phased out obsolete infrastructure while creating vibrant, livable neighborhoods. They didn't shy away from hard decisions—they embraced them. San Francisco must follow suit.

The Choice Is Ours

This is not about political posturing or nostalgia—it's about courage. It's about recognizing that sometimes the best way forward requires letting go of what no longer serves us. The Great Highway has done its job. Now it's time to give Sunset Dunes a chance to rise.

In the end, this vote isn't just about one road or one piece of land. It's about the soul of our city—and whether we're willing to take bold steps toward a better future.