San Francisco, CA – Supervisor Joel Engardio has announced a $1.5 million project to revitalize a tree-lined strip of Sunset Boulevard, an initiative unveiled six weeks before a special recall election scheduled for September 16, 2025. The funding, sourced from both state and city coffers, aims to upgrade the area Engardio has dubbed the “Emerald Necklace.” The announcement comes as Engardio faces a significant challenge to retain his seat in District 4.
The "Emerald Necklace" project will address years of drought, deferred maintenance, and outdated irrigation infrastructure along Sunset Boulevard. State Senator Scott Wiener spearheaded $1 million in state funding for irrigation system upgrades, while an additional $500,000 from the city will support a dedicated landscape crew for ongoing maintenance, including mowing, weeding, and plant care. Engardio's office stated that the irrigation upgrades are expected to take at least two years to complete.
The recall effort against Supervisor Engardio officially qualified in late May 2025, after organizers submitted over 10,500 valid signatures, surpassing the required threshold. The primary catalyst for the recall is Engardio's support for Proposition K, a 2024 ballot measure that permanently closed a two-mile stretch of the Upper Great Highway to car traffic, converting it into the Sunset Dunes park. While the measure passed citywide, it faced significant opposition within Engardio's District 4.
Critics argue that Engardio failed to adequately engage with his constituents regarding Proposition K, with approximately 64% of voters in his district opposing the measure. The recall campaign, "Our Neighborhood, Our Future Supporting the Recall of Supervisor Engardio," has stated, "He betrayed the Westside. Now the people get their say." Engardio, a former journalist elected in 2022, has initiated his own campaign, "Stop the Recall, Stand with Joel Engardio," and expressed confidence that "Sunset voters will see through this recall."
The timing of the Sunset Boulevard revitalization announcement, just weeks before the recall vote, is seen by many as a strategic move to highlight Engardio's commitment to his district. As stated in a tweet by The San Francisco Standard, "Six weeks before his recall election, Supervisor Joel Engardio has announced that a tree-lined strip of Sunset Boulevard will get a $1.5 million update from state and city funds." Engardio's allies, including State Senator Scott Wiener, have emphasized the community benefits of such investments.
This recall marks the first time a sitting San Francisco supervisor has faced such an election and is the third serious attempt to remove an elected official in San Francisco in recent years, following successful recalls of school board members and the district attorney in 2022. The outcome of the September 16 election will significantly impact the political landscape of San Francisco's District 4.