Hornblower lease at Pier 9 draws union scrutiny and operational questions; commission pauses action

Port staff presented a proposed five‑year lease (with a one‑year extension option) for Hornblower Yachts at Pier 9 south, describing expected tenant investments (about $200,000) and rent terms (minimum monthly base rent $5,400 plus a percentage of gross revenues). The presentation noted that if America's Cup EIR alternatives select the southwest side of Pier 9 for visiting yacht births, Hornblower might be asked to agree to temporary amendments to permit berthing and public access.

Union representatives and other public commenters raised operational and compliance concerns. Veronica Sanchez (representing the International Organization of Masters and Pilots) and other union speakers asked about Hornblower’s record on delivering promised repairs and on compliance with substructure notices at Piers 3 and 31. A labor-council speaker also said a related company paid a fine for healthcare-ordinance noncompliance and cited a pending Human Rights Commission employment complaint involving a former Hornblower deckhand.

Hornblower representatives (Joe Wyman and counsel) said the company was willing to accommodate America's Cup-related access needs—adjusting gates to permit public access on the apron—and that fueling arrangements had been moved off-port pending substructure repairs. They also said that Pier 3 substructure repair work was moving forward.

Commissioners raised questions about timing given the pending EIR and the lack of fully specified terms for how America's Cup uses would be accommodated. One commissioner urged staff to provide written terms for any future lease amendments tied to America's Cup deployments before voting. The commission did not complete a vote on the lease; staff said they would take direction and return with additional details.