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Forest City pitches Pier 70 parks; Port approves special‑event license for Building 12
Summary
Forest City unveiled concept plans for 9 acres of waterfront parks at Pier 70 and the Port approved a revocable license allowing Forest City to run special events at Building 12 to activate the site; license includes a $2,500 monthly fee and commitments to community events and permit outreach.
San Francisco — Forest City Development presented concept plans to the Port Commission for a network of waterfront parks and plazas at Pier 70 and won approval for a revocable license to activate Building 12 with special events.
Forest City project director Jackson Van described a 9‑acre parks network with a waterfront promenade, multiple viewing platforms, a market hall anchored in historic Building 12, and an "Irish Hill" playground. "Everything you see in terms of the concepts has come out of seven years of community outreach," Van said, emphasizing the team’s focus on historic reuse and varied park characters.
To support early activation, Port staff recommended and the Commission approved a revocable license allowing Forest City to operate special events, community programming and art installations on approximately 97,202 square feet of shed space and about 170,305 square feet of paved land at Pier 70. Staff described the license terms: Forest City will pay $2,500 per month to cover port staffing costs for events; revenues net of expenses will help Forest City recoup predevelopment costs; Forest City agreed to host five free community‑oriented events annually and adhere to a good‑neighbor policy covering noise, litter and crowd management.
Why it matters: The license is intended to "activate the site" ahead of full development and to build neighborhood support and market interest in Pier 70, while requiring event permits and community outreach consistent with city rules.
Discussion and community response: Representatives from the San Francisco Parks Alliance and Central Waterfront advisory groups spoke in favor of advancing the parks and earlier activation. Commissioners asked about phasing and subcontractor inclusion; Forest City staff and port planners said the market square around Building 12 would be an early focus and that they will continue community outreach and permit coordination.
Next steps: Forest City must obtain required permits (including any place‑of‑entertainment permits) and implement the good‑neighbor and permit streamlining processes described in the staff report. Port staff said they will monitor events and work with the neighborhood on mitigation and access during large events.
Provenance: Presentation and license discussion began at SEG 2770 and continued through SEG 3460.
