BCNA news: Port staff makes recommendations on land uses

BCNA NEWS

The BCNA recently carried accounts of a remarkably participatory public meeting of NEWAG (Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group). Besides much public comment, the evening was noteworthy for the Port Staff’s distribution of a one-page flyer depicting “Northeast Waterfront Current and Planned Land Uses.”

A color hand drawing depicts the area from Pier 7 to Pier 35.

The “Potential Development Sites” are Piers 19, 19-1/2, and 23, a portion of Pier 29 and 29-1/2 and Pier 31. On the land side, several Port property seawall lots are shown.

Conspicuous current “Read Estate Leases” are at Pier 9 and The Exploratorium site at Piers 15 and 17. Current “Maritime Leases” include parts of Piers 9, part of Pier 17, and Piers 27, 31-1/2, 33, and 35 (longtime cruise terminal).

The part of Pier 27, now the site of the new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal, that is listed as current “Open Space” is actually part of the celebrated project that is a new green 2.5 acre public park.

A gala celebration of the opening of the state-of-the-art Cruise Terminal was held September 25th. The Port’s public Grand Opening of the new Cruise Terminal Plaza will take place 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 29.

Port Staff Recommendations on Reverse Side of Flyer:

“Port staff offers the following recommendations based on the Port’s experience working with the Northeast Waterfront community:

Port staff recommends a subarea planning effort in the Northeast Waterfront to refresh the Waterfront Plan, if area stakeholders are open to such an effort. BCDC, State Lands and the Planning Department should be invited to participate so the planning effort balances state and local interests. Projects underway in the area, including re-tenanting of pier sheds vacated for the America’s Cup, should continue to generate the revenue needed to rehabilitate these facilities.
For subarea planning to be effective, the Port and neighborhood groups in the Northeast Waterfront should consider setting aside the history of conflict over Port development and avoid prejudging each other’s intentions.
Northeast Waterfront planning should examine methods to further entitle mixed use development opportunity sites and historic finger piers, so Port projects can be delivered more quickly and efficiently.
Port staff should continue to pursue additional maritime opportunities that complement existing maritime industries in the Northeast Waterfront and are appropriate given Bay conditions and available facilities.
Port and City staff should continue to pursue public realm improvements to the west side of The Embarcadero to make both sides of The Embarcadero function as a grand boulevard for all modes of transportation.
Port staff should seek consult with the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group about whether a boutique hotel is still appropriate for Seawall Lot 324 at Broadway and The Embarcadero as originally envisioned after adoption of the Waterfront Plan.
Piers 19 and 23–vacated to make way for the 34th America’s Cup–represent a potential mixed use development opportunity for the Port to discuss with residents and waterfront stakeholders. Development of this site has the potential to open up new Bay views through Pier 19-1/2 and implement public access and new maritime opportunities on surrounding aprons.
Port staff should consult with the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group regarding potential uses of Seawall Lots 323, 321 and 314 which are currently used for parking. These sites represent opportunities to reconnect adjacent neighborhoods with the waterfront and to improve the public realm on the west side of The Embarcadero.
The Port should continue seawall seismic risk and sea level rise risk assessment and improvement efforts to secure the northeast shoreline and protect this most intact segment of the Port’s Embarcadero Historic District.
Port and SFMTA staff should continue to collaborate on transportation improvements to augment the F-line including increasing E-line service, and the Embarcadero Enhancement Project to address congestion on The Embarcadero and support alternative transportation modes.”

The printing of the Port Staff’s Northeast Waterfront Recommendations is not be interpreted as endorsing the recommendations. The flyer is not dated. The recommendations are just as they appeared in Staff’s own words and are presented herein because they are in the BCNA’s “territory” of special interest.