The City of San Francisco's recent government meeting spotlighted the ambitious plans of UC Law San Francisco, formerly known as UC Hastings College of the Law, to develop an "academic village" aimed at addressing the housing crisis for students and enhancing educational facilities.

Dan Seider from the planning department introduced the informational presentation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between UC Law and the city, despite the university's status as a state entity exempt from local land use regulations. Rhiannon Baylard, UC Law's COO, detailed the institution's long-range campus plan, highlighting significant progress since their last update in 2017.

Baylard revealed that UC Law has successfully tripled its housing capacity without displacing any residents, a critical achievement given the city's ongoing housing challenges. The new academic building, which opened in August 2023, features 656 housing units and is designed to accommodate not only UC Law students but also those from partner institutions like UCSF, which has secured 35% of the units through a 20-year occupancy agreement.

The meeting also addressed the upcoming construction of a new union hall for Unite Here Local 2, a labor union representing 15,000 workers in the region. Union President Anand Singh expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with UC Law, emphasizing the importance of retaining ownership of the land while developing a facility that will serve both union members and the broader community.

The commission did not need to take any action during this voluntary informational hearing, but feedback from the commissioners was encouraged as the project moves forward. The anticipated timeline includes the completion of the environmental review process by spring 2024, with construction expected to commence shortly thereafter.

This initiative not only aims to enhance educational resources but also seeks to provide much-needed housing solutions in a city grappling with a severe housing shortage, marking a significant step forward for both UC Law and the San Francisco community.