On the Waterfront is a regular column by June A. Osterberg
OFFICIAL BCNA NEWS
Much of the ongoing, and sometimes dubious, transformation of the waterfront results from the fact that the Port of San Francisco is an enterprise agency.
When the State gave the Port back to the City in 1968 the Port became part of the city framework but has to support itself. (The airport also is an enterprise agency.)
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That left the door open to new uses of Port property–often would-be developers with a burning ambition to acquire a prime location on the Bay and resultant profit.
Great spots can go to the highest bidders in what are called public-private partnerships and 66-year leases.
What follows, of course, is controversy.
At this time the focus is on such proposals as the Giants organization’s huge project featuring high-rises, the Warriors organization’s huge project with high-rises and the renewed filling of the Bay, and the possibility of America’s Cup 35.
On the Waterfront foresees three Mission Bays along the waterfront, south of the Ferry Building.
The Giants company was well along in its effort to gain project approvals when the 2012 fall election outcome signaled that residents all over the city had started to pay attention to waterfront development.
The Mayor has embraced the Warriors plan, and the item on the June ballot giving the people the vote on attempts to build over the top limit; that is probably not a slam-dunk.
So here’s to the intelligent residents and also the well-meaning Port personnel and City experts who are committed to solving the severe problems emanating from over-crowding in a compact city as well as retaining at least part of its charm in the midst of a boom period.
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The Port is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation by the Board of Supervisors.
Four of the five Commissioners presently serving were appointed by Mayor Edwin M. Lee.
On January 14th Commissioner Leslie Katz was elected the new President, and Willie Adams was elected new Vice President. Both positions are for two-year terms.
Commissioner Katz has served since 2011 and Commissioner Adams since July 2012.
Commissioner Katz has her own consulting firm, focusing on strategy and external affairs. She served on the Board of Supervisors from 1996 to 2001.
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Commissioner Adams is the International Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), residing in San Francisco.
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The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. a State agency, received word from Sacramento late last year that they must join other state agencies in the Civic Center.
The BCDC must approve what goes on on the waterfront as well as on the entire Bay.
It was not a laughing matter. It took some months to decamp from its longtime offices not far from the Bay and move into the State Building.
Its address now is 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 10600, San Francisco, CA 94102.
On the Meeting Notices that go out to the dozens of Commissioners all around the Bay, it is stated: “Please allow adequate time to go through the State Building Security.”