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Port unveils interim Ferry Plaza plan; neighbors and cyclists oppose temporary parking
Summary
Port staff proposed interim Ferry Plaza improvements—including a raised pedestrian deck and temporary parking to fund $900,000 in upgrades—drawing praise from tenants and strong opposition from Livable City and bicycle advocates who said temporary waterside parking would damage public space.
Port planning staff presented interim development concepts for Ferry Plaza aimed at improving pedestrian circulation and supporting the Ferry Building market. The proposal includes a slightly elevated public deck, clearer vehicle/service zones, expanded bicycle facilities (including a bike valet), and a temporary parking program intended to fund roughly $900,000 in pedestrian improvements.
Dan Hodap (Ports Planning and Development) described a design that would limit vehicles to designated service zones and create an elevated plaza area for events and pedestrian uses. The plan anticipates about 65 interim parking spaces in Ferry Plaza to serve retail tenants when not used for the farmers market.
"Ferry Plaza is being designed first and foremost for the pedestrian and event uses," Hodap said, explaining the approach and its temporary, movable elements pending longer‑term downtown ferry terminal planning.
Public comment revealed deep division: Tom Radulovich (Livable City and the Bicycle Coalition) opposed turning one of San Francisco’s primary public spaces into a parking lot, warning temporary parking often becomes permanent. Ferry Building tenants and the farmers market operator urged balanced solutions to sustain retail and market access.
Port staff said the plan is intended as an interim, flexible package to be refined with Waterfront Design Advisory Committee input and BCDC review. They noted sewer construction and other near‑term work could remove parking and add urgency to short‑term solutions.
Next steps: staff will present to design review and advisory committees in January and return to the Commission for formal consideration and any lease or agreement changes.
