Rec and Park leases Mission Creek pavilion to Zocalo Coffee with community activation commitments

The Recreation and Park Commission approved a three‑year lease, with two optional three‑year extensions, allowing Zocalo Coffee (doing business as Zocalo) to operate a café in the Mission Creek pavilion.

Neil Patel of the department’s property management team said the pavilion has operated as an occasional rental and was never fully built out as a café. The department issued an RFP in February, received three proposals, posted public summaries and collected more than 200 public comments. The selection committee recommended Zocalo Coffee, a woman‑owned small business based in the East Bay that roasts coffee and operates commissary kitchens.

Under the lease terms, rent will be $3,250 per month or percentage rent (8% of food/nonalcoholic beverage and merchandise, 12% of alcohol sales), whichever is greater. The department will grant a six‑month rent waiver to allow time for the tenant to build out the space; staff said the lease includes standard maintenance and structural responsibilities split between tenant and department.

Brian Dahl, a legislative aide in Supervisor Matt Dorsey’s office, voiced the supervisor’s strong support for the lease, noting neighborhood demand for activation. Sarah Hubelhart, Zocalo’s owner, described the business as a “third place” intending to host trivia nights, game nights and live music and to engage with neighborhood groups. Commissioner Clark Herrera urged the operator to prioritize hiring from District 6.

The commission voted to approve the lease unanimously. Staff said the tenant will coordinate build‑out, health and building inspections and community meetings; an opening this fall was discussed but depends on construction timing.

The agreement is intended to activate an underused waterfront facility in Mission Bay as a neighborhood gathering place and to provide food and beverage service along the creek while preserving park use and public events.