Mayor says city is coordinating inspections at Pier 38 as tenants press to stay

Mayor Lee told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that city departments are coordinating inspections at Pier 38 after recent reports of structural and electrical concerns and pledged help for the at least 21 tenant companies there.

"We're paying very close attention to it," Mayor Lee said, adding that "safety is the number 1 concern." He said his Office of Economic and Workforce Development would convene the Port, the fire marshal, the Department of Building Inspection and the Port harbormaster for a joint meeting with tenants and would also work to identify alternative space if firms must relocate.

The assurances came as members of the board pressed the mayor for specifics about timing and follow-up. Lee said city staff will "confirm the findings of our fire marshal, our department of building inspection, as well as the port's harbor master, so that they all know that the city is speaking with one voice relative to that condition." He said the city already has identified alternative sites and that his office would help tenants search for them.

Later in the meeting, more than a dozen tenants and entrepreneurs from Pier 38 urged supervisors to intervene. Speakers described the pier as a job-creating incubator for technology startups and maritime businesses and said the Port's notice to clear the pier would disrupt companies that employ hundreds.

"Pier 38 has tenants that collectively are the largest single job business incubator in California," said a tenant representative, citing the clustering of startups and the cross‑pollination among firms. Another tenant, who runs a software company, said the pier "was the filament" that brought investors and talent together and that relocating on short notice would be difficult.

Tenants offered to pay to fix listed items and to hire licensed engineers to address structural issues. Multiple speakers said they were willing to work with the Port to complete repairs and to maintain public access and maritime services. Port staff and the mayor's office said they were scheduling a meeting with tenants and city departments to discuss next steps.

The board did not take formal action on Pier 38 during the meeting; supervisors and city staff said they would continue coordination and keep tenants informed about the next meeting of city staff and Port officials.

The mayor's initial remarks on Pier 38 were part of his monthly appearance before the Board, during which he took questions from supervisors representing odd-numbered districts. The public comments from tenants and community members came later during general public comment, where several speakers testified about jobs, revenues and the pier's maritime uses.

Supervisor Kim, whose district includes Pier 38, told the board she and the mayor's office had been working with occupants and that a meeting would be held to reconcile inspection results and the Port's concerns. Mayor Lee said he would ensure the public has time to review findings before the city takes final actions.

The mayor's remarks and the public comment period underscored competing priorities: the Port's stated short-term safety and repair needs versus tenants' arguments that the pier is a functioning economic and maritime asset whose disruption would harm jobs and local innovation.

No formal vote or ordinance affecting Pier 38 was recorded at the meeting; supervisors and mayoral staff said they expected further meetings between tenants, the Port and city departments to refine options and timelines.