OCII authorizes $3.47 million MOU with Public Works, TJPA reimbursement and pavilion acquisition to advance Transbay Under‑Ramp Park

At its April 15 meeting the Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure approved four separate but related actions to advance the Transbay Under‑Ramp Park project.

Actions approved - MOU with San Francisco Public Works for preconstruction/professional services: authorized reimbursement to Public Works for services supporting delivery of Under‑Ramp Park in an amount not to exceed $3,469,271 (includes 15% contingency and roughly $650,000 in retroactive costs dating to November 2023), per the staff presentation by Laura Sheifley and Ben Brandon. - Reimbursement agreement with Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA): authorized OCII to reimburse the TJPA for eligible staff and legal costs related to Under‑Ramp Park in an annual amount not to exceed $100,000; agreement also authorizes retroactive reimbursement of $14,521 for FY24–25 eligible costs. - Acquisition and fee agreement for Art Deco pavilion: authorized OCII to accept transfer of an Art Deco pavilion previously located at Transbay Block 5; the project owner Park Tower Owner LLC will pay a relocation‑in‑lieu fee of $178,652 and execute a $0 bill of sale transferring ownership to OCII. - Lease for off‑site storage of pavilion: authorized OCII to execute a lease with Sheedy Drayage Company for initial 2‑year term plus three 1‑year options at $4,700 per month (total initial term not to exceed $169,200). Park Tower Owner LLC will pay Sheedy $112,800 to cover the initial lease term; the remaining relocation fee (approximately $66,000) will be transferred to OCII for park use.

Project background and scope Under‑Ramp Park (project name provisional) is a roughly 2.4‑acre park spanning about three and a half blocks north of Folsom at Essex and continuing to Howard Street, much of it lying beneath the Caltrans I‑80 off ramp and the TJPA bus ramp to the Salesforce Transit Center. The schematic design, approved by OCII and the TJPA in 2023, envisions pedestrian connections, bike lanes, sports courts, a dog park, adult fitness areas, restrooms, concessions and a two‑story, 4,600‑square‑foot pavilion building at the Folsom entrance. The Art Deco pavilion will be repurposed as part of the park’s concessions building and integrated with a new modern structure.

Schedule and procurement Staff presented an accelerated schedule coordinated with TJPA and city agencies: complete construction documents and commence permitting in 2025, advertise a construction bid in spring 2026 and award the construction contract by June 2026. Construction completion is currently targeted for 2029; separate MOUs and agreements will govern construction‑phase services and compliance.

Contracting and workforce commitments The MOU includes contracting and workforce compliance measures: Public Works, OCII and the Contract Monitoring Division (CMD) will implement OCII’s SBE policies. Staff estimated 65% of Public Works’ subconsultant fees under the MOU will go to SBEs (about $257,000 of $397,000 anticipated). The construction‑phase SBE participation goal in OCII specifications is 50%. The contractor will be required to make good‑faith efforts to employ San Francisco residents for 50% of trade hours and give hiring preference to SBEs/LBEs in specified zip codes, with quarterly SBE reporting to OCII.

Public comment and discussion No public speakers offered comment on the four items. Commissioners asked about the pavilion’s eventual function; staff confirmed the pavilion will serve as the concessions point of sale for the park’s beer‑garden program and include community space and Eastcut Community Benefit District offices in the two‑story pavilion.

Votes and motions Each action was approved separately. Motions and roll‑call results recorded in the transcript show the votes for items 5(d), 5(e), 5(f) and 5(g) all carried 5–0.