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Rules Committee approves waiver to fast-track Pier 29 arts residency lease with CAST
Summary
The committee voted to transmit an ordinance waiving contracting requirements so the Port can reimburse CAST for tenant improvements at Pier 29, enabling an arts residency and public education programming to open as soon as this year. The committee heard from Port staff, CAST representatives and artists.
The Rules Committee voted without objection to send an ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors that would waive certain contracting requirements of the San Francisco Administrative Code so the Port of San Francisco can reimburse tenant-improvement work performed by CAST (Community Arts Stabilization Trust) for a lease at Pier 29.
Scott Lansittle, deputy director of real estate for the Port, told the committee the port has approved a two-year lease with CAST, with an option to extend for an additional two years, and seeks a waiver that would allow the Port to reimburse CAST up to $500,000 in allowance-based improvements. Lansittle said the work anticipates code compliance and latent repairs including plumbing, fire and life-safety upgrades and egress improvements to bring the long-vacant shed into safe, active use.
CAST representatives said the intended use, Art + Water, will host an artist residency program, rotating exhibits and an accessible event space. JD Beltran described plans for cohorts of emerging Bay Area artists (20) and mentors (10) in six-month residencies, with targeted outreach to San Francisco artists and low-income neighborhoods. Speakers also said the program would include daily walk-in gallery hours and free educational programming for San Francisco Unified School District students; representatives cited 826 Valencia as a model partner for youth programming.
Public comment included supportive remarks from local artists and stakeholders. Mark Babson and artist Paul Madonna urged committee members to support space for artists; David Keenan of CAST described extensive preparatory work and asked the committee to approve the chapter 6 waiver to allow nimble, interim build-out during the two-year lease. A letter of support from the owner/manager of Pier 23 Cafe was also submitted and filed with the clerk.
Lansittle said the Port and CAST aim to open initial programming by the end of the year and that the allowance structure is intended to allow iterative, urgent repairs rather than a single, commercial-style TI contract. After public comment, Chair Walton moved to send the ordinance to the full board with a recommendation; Vice Chair Cheryl, Member Dorsey and Chair Walton voted aye and the motion passed without objection.
The ordinance before the committee would waive portions of the administrative code to allow this reimbursement structure; the Port Commission has already approved the lease. Committee members expressed support for activating a long-dormant waterfront shed for arts uses and for the proposed temporary, light-touch improvements intended to bring the pier back into public use.
