BCNA news: Community speaks out at NEWAG

BCNA NEWS

(Editor’s note: This is part 2 of a two-part article on the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group meeting held Oct. 1. Part 1 was posted on Oct. 2.)

Let us begin with an observation that NEWAG meetings have evolved into a useful function on the rapidly changing waterfront.

The monthly public meetings of the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group have become an open forum in which community residents can express their concerns and opinions about proposed Port projects.

At the same time it is a useful tool for the Port to “perform outreach” and inform the neighborhood about some of its plans and projects. Sometimes this occurs before presentation is made to the Port Commission.

As an example, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, two respected men of the waterfront area rose to express frustration about the project named “8 Washington” that still has its place on the Port’s front burner despite having been solidly denounced at the polls. (Part 1, Oct. 1: BCNA news: “Port says new 8 Washington proposal coming”)

Speaking of Port projects, Al Glassgold questioned “the role of the Port” and its impact on the thousands of people living on the west side of The Embarcadero.

Glassgold said that the Port has certain objectives which do not jibe with residents who have been asking for years for a waterfront-wide plan instead of “spot proposals.” He referred to the rejected 8 Washington project as “the phony proposal.”

He went on to state that we “don’t get an honest proposal or a unified concept of the entire area.”

Bill Benkavitch, a Gateway Apartments and Townhomes resident for 35 years, spoke emphatically from experience of the Port’s policies and activities: “I don’t trust you.”

Regarding the “repurposing” of Pier 29, some previous audience members had suggestions focused on recreation uses. In early remarks, Jonathan Stern, facilitator for NEWAG, opened the meeting with updates and invited further discussion of ideas.

Later Stern said that various uses might be tried out on a temporary basis to see how they might work out at Pier 29.

Lee Radner, chairman of FOGG (Friends of Golden Gateway) urged planners to read the Asian Neighborhood Design’s vision plan for the Northeast Waterfront. He also cited Chicago’s great Millennium Park for popular innovations.

Radner said a bicycle sports center could be an active and “integral” part of a community recreational center. In a sampling of other remarks, Pier 23 Cafe‘s Flicka McGurrin, a member of NEWAG, spoke of open space, and a site for passive activity, but also mentioned a soccer field.

Stern brought up more public access and a focus on maritime, even the possibility of floating docks. He said Pier 29 is in good condition and has good apron space.

Bob Iverson said if emphasis is on activation and enlivening, it could end up looking like a mall but would be in favor of maritime uses.

Meanwhile, Port Planning Director Diane Oshima tried to focus on a presentation of the Port’s Waterfront Land Use Plan Review, the Ferry Building SubArea. A copy of the 250-page document is available to be perused or purchased at Pier 1 and also is available online.

Attorney Sue Hestor’s statement observed that the Port had inherited a problem and never did a plan because of the Redevelopment Agency in place at the time. She added that there is no interface between the City’s MTA and the Port, the result of which is that there is no public transportation between the Port and some neighborhoods. She concluded that “If the Port doesn’t dig in, you’re not doing your job.”

The evening ended with a short list of Port projects underway, including the WETA (Water Emergency Transportation Agency) Downtown Ferry Terminal, Phase 2, with construction to begin in mid-2015, as well as the Ferry Building Plaza on the backside of the Agriculture Building, with the Port and BCDC (Bay Conservation and Development Commission) in a joint planning process.