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Private foundation offers 12 temporary sculptures for waterfront; Port to pilot phased public‑art trail
Summary
The Sabrandy Foundation and Building 180 proposed installing 12 temporary sculptures along the Port of San Francisco waterfront this fall, creating a curated art walk from Heron's Head to Fisherman's Wharf with private funding and ports staff oversight.
The Port Commission received an informational presentation on a privately funded, temporary public‑art proposal that would place up to 20 works along the waterfront, with a first phase of 12 installations proposed between Heron’s Head Park and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Amy Cohen (Port business generation manager) and Ryan Wassom (Port planner) described a partnership with Building 180 (an art production agency) and the Sabrandy Foundation (Sid and Karen Sabrani, donors) to underwrite a waterfront “art walk” featuring large‑scale temporary sculptures and integrated wayfinding. Building 180 said the Sabrandy Foundation aims to place 100 public sculptures citywide by 2028 and is offering the first 12 installations as a gift to the city at no cost to taxpayers.
Site selection and timeline. Port staff presented top choices and backups for twelve initial locations (Pier 45 Plaza, Pier 27 cruise terminal lawn, Pier 7, Pier 1½, Harry Bridges Plaza in front of the Ferry Building, Bridwell/Bridal Plaza, Pier 14, Brannan Street Wharf, Pier 52 boat launch, Bayfront Park at Chase Center, Crane Cove Park, and Heron’s Head Park). Staff said they are following a phased approach to address engineering, safety, permitting and stewardship and hope to install the first phase in October 2025. Building 180 noted the installations are privately funded and the initiative would include QR‑coded interpretive content and marketing to promote a mapped waterfront walk.
Port public‑art program alignment. Cohen said the port’s public art program (finalized 2023) allows externally sponsored temporary art with executive director approval and a public presentation to the commission; staff reviewed engineering feasibility and risk and narrowed selections to a primary and backup for each location. The port will complete outreach to adjacent tenants and neighbors and finalize licensing and permitting.
Public comment and partner support. Testimony from the Ferry Building general manager, the Giants’ Mission Rock representative and local arts organizations expressed support. Commissioners praised the proposal’s potential to activate the waterfront and encouraged coordination of programming and dynamic digital content via QR codes to link artists, neighborhood events and other waterfront activity. There was no formal vote; this was an informational item.
