Port Commission hears detailed update on June 20 Pier 29 fire; no injuries reported

Port staff on July 2012 told the Port Commission that the June 20 fire at Pier 29 damaged the pier’s bulkhead and transit shed but caused no injuries because the facility had been vacated in preparation for America's Cup activities. "The damage was contained within Pier 29 bulkhead and the transit shed," Wendy Proctor, the port’s architect, said during an informational update.

Proctor said immediate hazards included falling debris onto the Embarcadero Promenade and power outages affecting adjacent piers and the under-construction Pier 27 cruise terminal project. The port closed the promenade, installed security fencing and moved quickly to secure the site.

The port initiated emergency contracts for stabilization and assessment. "We initiated two emergency contracts," Proctor said, naming Turner Construction for immediate stabilization work and the port’s structural and historic-architecture consultants for engineering and salvage. Reinhard Lutke, the structural consultant, described continuous demolition and stabilization work that began the day after the fire and mechanical measures to protect workers and the public. Lutke said temporary electric power was installed on June 21–22 and added that five temporary diesel generators are operating in the wharf area to keep essential services running while permanent equipment is evaluated.

Lutke said the team is issuing a punch list and holding weekly coordination meetings with the city attorney, the insurer and contractors to manage demolition, stabilization and the next steps toward repair: "Building stabilization commenced on June 26 and continues to today," he said, and cautioned the full restoration of the bulkhead building is a long-term effort that "won't be finished in 2012."

Nancy Goldenberg of Carey and Company, the port’s historic-architectural consultant, said crews prioritized salvage and documentation of architectural features and that the port’s archives provide good records to guide accurate restoration. Goldenberg said the team will apply Secretary of the Interior standards for treatment of historic properties while accounting for current code requirements.

The San Francisco Fire Department is leading the investigation into the fire’s cause. A port official told commissioners the department expected to issue a report in about three weeks. During questions, a commissioner raised environmental concerns about diesel generators; Lutke said staff have inspected the units and are evaluating whether to reduce the number of operating units or pursue alternate temporary power such as PG&E-supplied services.

The Executive Director praised the San Francisco Fire Department, Police Department and port staff for the response and said the America's Cup tenant was not on site and was not involved in the incident.

Next steps include completing the demolition punch list, stabilizing the structure, designing permanent repairs and coordinating insurance, permitting and historic-preservation work. Port staff said they expect to return the shed portion to its tenant within several months but that the bulkhead restoration will take longer.

The commission heard the update as an informational item and did not take additional formal action during the meeting.