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Port Commission approves Mission Bay ferry MOU and $32 million in grants for new landing
Summary
The Port Commission authorized a memorandum of understanding with SF Bay Ferry and accepted two grants totaling $32 million to fund the Mission Bay Ferry Landing at 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard; construction is phased with first service expected in spring 2027.
The Port Commission on March (meeting date not specified) authorized a memorandum of understanding with San Francisco Bay Ferry and accepted two grants totaling $32,000,000 to advance the Mission Bay Ferry Landing at 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard.
Port project manager Simon Bethselel told commissioners the project has been under development since 2016 and “the project is now estimated at $74,000,000,” reflecting added scope, contaminated-sediment remediation and multi-year escalation. The commission approved three related resolutions—25-14 (MOU), 25-15 (accept and expend Water Emergency Transportation Authority grant of $28,000,000) and 25-16 (accept and expend UCSF grant of $4,000,000)—on a single motion that carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The landing is intended to expand regional transit access to Mission Bay and electrify ferry service under an EPA Clean Ports grant. Port staff said the work will include upland plaza and park improvements, a fixed pier and an electric charging facility for vessels. Construction is expected in marine work windows beginning this summer; the port anticipates first riders in spring 2027.
Key facts and timeline - MOU and grants adopted: Resolutions 25-14, 25-15 and 25-16 were approved by the Port Commission. The motion to move all three items was made and seconded; commissioners voted "Aye." No roll-call vote with named tallies was recorded in the transcript. - Project cost: Port staff said the current estimated project cost is $74,000,000, a 37% increase since 2019 attributed to contaminated sediment remediation, expanded electrical scope for electrification, amended permitting and five years of material and labor escalation. - Funding table cited by staff includes multiple sources: SF Bay Ferry/WETA funds, EPA Clean Ports grant, UCSF private contribution ($4,000,000) and port funds; the project funding structure and remaining gaps were discussed in the staff report and MOU. - Phased delivery: Phase 2a (marine demolition and sediment cap) design is complete and expected to be advertised in the coming weeks; construction will occur in the June–November in‑water window to protect fish spawning habitat. Phase 2b upland work is expected to continue into 2027.
Comments from stakeholders and commissioners - Simon Bethselel, project manager, said the project will connect Mission Bay to the regional ferry system and be part of the nation’s first passenger electric ferry service funded by an EPA Clean Ports grant. - Amy Alden, UCSF senior director of local and state government relations, addressed the commission during public comment: “On behalf of UCSF chancellor, Sam Hawgood, I wanna congratulate the port and the commission on completing financing for the Mission Bay Ferry Landing. UCSF is so delighted to contribute... which will connect our campus, at the foot of Sixteenth Street.” - Commissioner Steven Englund asked staff to make clearer the composition of the 37% cost escalation; Englund said breaking the figure into components (material escalation, added life-safety items, contaminated-sediment costs) would help public understanding. - Other commissioners expressed support for the electrified ferry connection and its potential to reduce traffic and expand access to UCSF and event venues.
Next steps and implementation Port staff said they will return to the commission with contract awards for Phase 2a marine work and later to request contract extensions and additional funding authorizations to complete phase 2b design and construction. The port anticipates vessel charging infrastructure, an emergency fire water system manifold requested by the Public Utilities Commission, and shared maintenance arrangements negotiated through the MOU.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-14 (authorize MOU with SF Bay Ferry): adopted. - Resolution 25-15 (accept and expend WETA grant, $28,000,000): adopted. - Resolution 25-16 (accept and expend UCSF grant, $4,000,000): adopted.
Ending: The commission adopted the three items together; staff will proceed with advertising the marine demolition and sediment cap contract, continue phase design and return with contract awards and funding requests as the work advances.
