Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Exchange topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SFPUC approves framework to pursue conditional exchange of 639 Bryant for 2000 Marin, pending environmental review
Summary
The commission approved a conditional framework to pursue a land exchange that would transfer PUC's 639 Bryant utility yard for the 7.9-acre 2000 Marin site; the exchange is contingent on environmental testing, DTSC oversight, developer approvals and additional commission and Board of Supervisors sign-offs.
SAN FRANCISCO
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on July 10 approved a staff recommendation to pursue a conditional land exchange that would transfer PUC property at 639 Bryant Street to a private developer in exchange for acquiring 2000 Marin Street, subject to environmental testing, Department of Toxic Substances Control oversight and multiple closing conditions.
Rosanna Russell, head of Real Estate, said 639 Bryant (a 1.37-acre utility yard used by the power enterprise) is appraised at about $63.875 million and will soon be within the Central SoMa planning area; 2000 Marin, the former Chronicle printing press site, is roughly 7.9 acres and appraised at about $63.6 million. Russell said the developer agreed to pay up to $100,000 for phase 2 environmental testing and to cover the PUC's oversight costs for that testing; the PUC will hire consultants to vet testing and estimate any remediation costs, which are not covered by the $100,000.
Russell also outlined required developer actions and contingencies: relocation of an on-site hydrogen peroxide tank used for sewer odor control (developer to front nearly $2 million for relocation), construction of temporary yard facilities at 2000 Marin funded initially by the developer and reimbursed through short-term leases or alternate funding, and approvals from the Board of Supervisors and mayor before escrow can close.
Henry Sears, representing the developer affiliate, described the larger redevelopment plan and said the project team would provide 72 affordable housing units on a 13,000-square-foot site within the project and deliver a new public park as part of the larger Central SoMa development. Sears said the developer's construction would be union and that temporary facilities would be turnkeyed for PUC use.
Why it matters: The exchange would reposition the PUC's utility yard functions into a larger facility but hinges on environmental, entitlement and fiscal conditions. If delivered, staff said the PUC could save nearly $7 million in rent on a neighboring leased yard over 11 years.
What officials said: Commissioners pressed staff on how remediation costs would be estimated and whether a cap would make the transaction nonviable; staff said phase 2 testing and third-party vetting will inform remediation estimates and that the commission will have a decision point once testing and cost estimates are complete.
Next steps: Staff will obtain phase 2 testing, vet results with consultants and return to the commission with a recommendation that includes remediation cost estimates and draft closing conditions; the exchange cannot close until the developer has secured required entitlements and the Board of Supervisors and mayor approve closing.
