Public Works Commission approves three major construction contracts, adopts consent calendar

The San Francisco Public Works Commission on July 24 approved its consent calendar and voted to award three major construction contracts: a roof replacement at the War Memorial Opera House, the Main Street Streetscape Phase 1 project, and the Transbay Howard Streetscape project.

The approvals came by voice vote and were recorded as passing unanimously. The consent calendar included draft minutes from the July 10 meeting, seven contract awards, three contract modifications and one notice to proceed; the commission approved the consent calendar by motion from Commissioner Gerald Turner, seconded by Vice Chair Fatty Zabe. No public speakers addressed these items during the hearing.

Commission action on three separate capital projects followed presentations from Public Works project managers. For the War Memorial Opera House roof replacement the department recommended awarding a construction contract to Pioneer Contractors (presented by the project manager) for a base bid of about $8.746 million with an anticipated construction window of roughly 370 calendar days; fall-protection work described in the presentation will be added as a change order (presenters indicated a fall-protection allowance of about $610,000). The commission approved the contract award by voice vote with no callers and no in-room public comment.

The commission also awarded the Main Street Improvements Phase 1 contract to Bay Area Light Works for $9,202,562 with a contract duration of 650 calendar days. Project staff described the work as streetscape and safety improvements on Main Street from Market to Howard — including widened sidewalks, a northbound protected bike track, new bus islands, accessible pedestrian signals and drainage and lighting upgrades. Staff said five bids were received and that the low bidder came in about 7% over the engineer’s estimate.

Finally the Transbay Howard Streetscape contract was awarded to Esquivel Grading and Paving for $19,501,403.08 with a construction duration of 1,190 calendar days. Project staff described this as a Complete Streets project between Fourth Street and the Embarcadero that will add a two-way protected bike track on the south side of Howard Street, widened sidewalks, new curb ramps, traffic-signal and Muni overhead-contact improvements, and landscaping and street furniture. Five bids were opened; the low bid was substantially under the engineer’s estimate, and staff included a contingency in the recommended resolution that award be contingent on the contractor satisfactorily completing the required safety prequalification.

Why it matters: these awards move major downtown transportation and cultural-asset work into construction. The Main Street and Transbay Howard projects are part of the South Downtown Design and Activation (SODA) planning effort; the Opera House roof project addresses long‑deferred building maintenance on a landmark structure.

Votes at a glance - Item 4, Consent calendar (draft minutes, seven contract awards, three contract modifications, one notice to proceed): motion by Commissioner Gerald Turner, seconded by Vice Chair Fatty Zabe; outcome: approved (motion passed unanimously). - Item 5, War Memorial Opera House roof replacement: award recommended to Pioneer Contractors (base bid reported at about $8,746,000; construction ~370 calendar days); outcome: approved (motion passed unanimously). Presentation noted single responsive bidder, LBE context, and a fall‑protection change order allowance (~$610,000). - Item 6, Main Street Streetscape Phase 1: award to Bay Area Light Works, $9,202,562; duration 650 calendar days; outcome: approved (motion passed unanimously). - Item 7, Transbay Howard Streetscape: award to Esquivel Grading and Paving, $19,501,403.08; duration 1,190 calendar days; award contingent on satisfactory contractor safety prequalification; outcome: approved (motion passed).

The commission did not receive public comment on these motions at the meeting. Staff said project managers will return with regular construction updates, and commissioners requested staff provide one-year progress reports on capital projects so the commission can track schedule and budget.