Port presents two conceptual designs for Pier 27 cruise terminal; estimates and next steps outlined

Port staff on July 13 presented two conceptual design options for the James R. Hermann Cruise Terminal and a 2-acre Northeast Wharf Plaza at Pier 27.

Kim Von Blonde, port project director, summarized the design basis and parameters: an approximately 80,000-square-foot terminal sized for a base design load of about 2,600 passengers and a peak design load up to about 4,000 passengers. The concept includes demolishing part of the Pier 27 shed to create a public plaza and a new ground transportation area (GTA) to reduce Embarcadero congestion on cruise days. Early project estimates cited a total development cost near $60,000,000 with a fixed construction budget limit of $38,000,000 at time of bid; staff also cited an early construction estimate for one scheme at $38,500,000 and an alternate at $41,500,000.

Design team presenter Peter Pfau described Scheme A (reuse/adapt shed) and Scheme B (new slender building), listing trade-offs: Scheme A offers lower immediate construction cost and reuses historic fabric; Scheme B offers operational efficiencies, more event space views and increased GTA capacity but higher construction costs and lifecycle advantages. Pfau described design principles addressing vehicle circulation, gangplank placement, CBP processing and public access to the pier on non-cruise days.

John Dahl (Planning and Development staff) emphasized next procedural steps: fiscal feasibility approval by the Board of Supervisors is required to start environmental review; an environmental consultant selection and a public outreach schedule were described with public workshops planned (e.g., July 21) and a target to return in early fall with a preferred concept. Dahl said the environmental review could take 12–18 months.