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Committee releases reserve funds for Pier 94/96 seismic work and $55.3M Clean Ports ferry grant
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee on March 26 approved releasing two federal grant awards to the Port of San Francisco: $2.7 million from FEMA for a seismic needs assessment at Pier 94/96 and roughly $55.3 million from the EPA to fund a zero‑emission waterfront ferry program.
The Budget and Finance Committee voted March 26 to release two federal grants to the Port of San Francisco that had been placed on reserve. Both grants were previously approved by the Board of Supervisors; the committee’s action authorizes release of revenues to the port so work can proceed.
Pier 94/96 seismic assessment (FEMA HMGP): The committee approved release of $2,700,000 awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) via the California Office of Emergency Services. Port project manager Simon Betzalel said the funds will support a detailed site assessment of the 1960s‑era cargo terminal—used for deepwater maritime operations and disaster response—including investigation of liquefaction and slope failure risks, development and evaluation of repair alternatives, and advancing the selected repair design to 60 percent. The project has a 36‑month duration and requires a $900,000 port match; the port will use Port Harbor Fund appropriations to meet the 25% match requirement.
San Francisco Waterfront zero‑emission ferry program (EPA Clean Ports): The committee also approved release of approximately $55,300,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to support construction of a Mission Bay Ferry Landing, electrification infrastructure at the downtown ferry terminal, one new zero‑emission 400‑passenger high‑speed ferry, and a maritime workforce development program. Boris Delapate, the port’s government affairs manager, said the grant includes a $15.5 million match: $13.6 million from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (Hetch Hetchy power division) for substation and transmission work and $1.9 million from SF Bay Ferry.
The Board of Supervisors’ Budget Analyst (Nick Menard) told the committee the $55.3 million award routes most of the money—roughly $47 million—to SF Bay Ferry, with approximately $4 million to the Port and $3.4 million to the PUC. The grant contains $2 million for a workforce development program intended to train about 200 people over four years; the port said it is finalizing the workforce plan in partnership with the Working Waterfront Coalition and expects to return with plan details.
Supervisors voted to release the funds and file the hearings. Roll‑call votes recorded Vice Chair Matt Dorsey, Member Engadio, and Chair Connie Chan voting aye; the motions passed.
