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Port approves lease revisions with Exploratorium that cap museum's fill-removal contribution and tie obligations to BCDC SAP amendments
Summary
The commission approved lease revisions for the Exploratorium redevelopment that cap the museum's fill-removal contribution (up to $2 million, and $1 million within the first 10 years) and commits the port to cover excess costs subject to appropriation while pursuing federal funding for removal at candidate sites such as Pier 70.
The Port Commission approved revisions to the facility lease with the Exploratorium that change how fill-removal obligations under the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) Special Area Plan will be allocated.
Jennifer Sobel, project manager in the planning and development division, said the proposed amendments to the Special Area Plan would allow some fill to remain at Piers 15/17 provided equivalent fill removal occurs elsewhere on port property. Under the negotiated lease revisions, the Exploratorium's obligation is capped at the lesser of actual cost or $2,000,000, and within the first 10 years after issuance of a certificate of occupancy the museum's exposed cap is $1,000,000 plus interest.
Sobel and project staff described scenarios: if total removal costs are $4,000,000 and public funds cover the nonfederal share, the Exploratorium would match $1,000,000 (within the 10-year window) and the port would pay the local share subject to appropriation and be reimbursed by the Exploratorium over time. If no public funds are available, the port would be liable for the excess over the Exploratorium's cap but would be reimbursed $1,000,000 by the museum in year 16 under the example presented.
Staff identified Pier 70 as the leading candidate site for removal under a likely federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization; port engineering estimated removal at Pier 70 at about $3.7 million (rough estimate). Port staff said they will pursue federal funding (WRDA) and that the lease revisions and proposed SAP amendments will go to BCDC and then to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Jeff Hamilton, director of government relations for the Exploratorium, and development managers thanked port staff; the commission approved the resolution on the item by voice vote.
