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Port proposes $38.5 million capital budget, prioritizes pier repairs and waterfront parks
Summary
Staff proposed a $38.5M two‑year capital budget that prioritizes pier repairs (including $8.1M for pier structures), dredging, Pier 70 stabilization, and waterfront parks funded by general obligation bonds and Transbay Cable payments; staff plans community workshops for Bluegreenway design.
Port staff presented a proposed $38,500,000 capital project budget covering fiscal years 2010–11 and 2011–12 and outlined how those funds would be allocated among pier repairs, dredging, Pier 70 stabilization, and waterfront open‑space projects.
Lawrence Brown, a Port financial analyst, said the proposed funding package draws on unappropriated operating fund balance, a $550,000 annual environmental payment tied to the Transbay Cable lease, unspent debt‑service funds from the recent revenue bond closing and proceeds from planned general obligation (GO) bond tranches. "We proposed $38,500,000 in capital projects over the next two years," Brown told commissioners, noting about $25.9M is proposed for 2010–11 and the remainder for 2011–12.
New projects highlighted included $6 million for dredging, $1.85 million for cleanup and stabilization at Pier 70 (targeting Building 113 and several other historic structures), $1.45 million for a new sewer main and pump‑station upgrades on Amador/Amateur Street, and $1.1 million for Southern Waterfront open‑space and alternative energy projects tied to Transbay Cable environmental payments. Brown also proposed $10.8 million for ongoing capital projects, including $8.1 million dedicated to pier structures and reinvestment for long‑term pier maintenance. "Our piers are in very bad shape," he said in explaining the pier reinvestment request.
Kim Von Blahn (engineering) and David Beaupre (planning) described GO bond‑funded Bluegreenway projects funded through the city's 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks bond. Beaupre said about $22 million of GO bond funds are available for Bluegreenway projects such as Bayfront Park, Crane Cove Park and Heron’s Head Park. He said the Port will pursue a community planning process with an April workshop to finalize design guidelines and project prioritization.
On Brandon Street Wharf (Brandon Street/Pier 36) staff said the project is approximately two‑thirds through design. The project would remove Pier 36 and construct a roughly 56,000‑square‑foot park over the water with an ADA float and small‑craft ramp. The estimated funding mix includes port funds (~$17–17.5M), GO bond funds ($3M) and federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) funds (~$4.7M). Staff warned that Army Corps demolition work could delay the schedule by approximately four months.
Public commenters and commissioners asked for clearer prioritization and more detailed breakdowns of how GO bond tranches will be allocated among Southern Waterfront sites. Staff said specific appropriations will return to the Commission as monies are drawn down and that upcoming GO bond issuances will provide additional design funding.
Next steps: staff will take commissioner comments, hold community workshops for Bluegreenway planning, and return Feb. 23 with a final biannual capital budget for adoption before mayoral and Board of Supervisors review.
