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PUC unveils draft plan for Southeast Community Facility; tenants, HSA and residents clash over space
Summary
PUC staff presented a draft plan prioritizing education, job training and childcare at the Southeast Community Facility. Tenants including City College and local nonprofits supported the concept but the Human Services Agency and many residents urged protections to ensure services and neutral access are preserved.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission staff presented a draft long‑term plan for the Southeast Community Facility at a special joint meeting with the Southeast Community Facility Commission, prompting an extended public comment period in which tenants, service providers and community residents debated priorities and space allocation.
Juliet Ellis, assistant general manager for external affairs, framed the plan as a draft intended to implement the mitigation agreement tied to the sewer facility expansion decades earlier. "This plan is a draft and it is an option that we think is reflective of the feedback that we've heard," Ellis said, adding that staff aimed to maximize local job opportunities and shared programming while acknowledging that "there is more demand than there is space." The draft positions City College of San Francisco as a major tenant with classrooms, a City College‑run childcare center and shared classrooms; other proposed tenants include 5 Keys Charter School, Renaissance Parents of Success, Hunters Point Family Services, Young Community Developers and an existing Head Start program.
Several tenant representatives described programming they already run or propose to expand if offered space. City College Chancellor Don Griffin said the college is committed to providing full education programs and training at the Southeast campus and noted a one‑stop model is already functioning. Steve Good of 5 Keys described services for reengaging dropout and justice‑involved students, while community nonprofits highlighted workforce development, reentry services and youth programs.
Human Services Agency Deputy Director Steve Arcelorona urged that HSA remain part of the facility or be allowed to occupy suitable neutral space nearby during any changes, reporting that HSA currently operates about 11,000 square feet at the facility, with roughly 40 staff and about $4.3 million in annual salaries and rent. "We provide services to over 1,100 individuals each month," Arcelorona said, asking commissioners to avoid interrupting direct services during any relocation.
Public comment demonstrated both broad support for the staff priorities (education, childcare and job training) and deep concern about losing trusted, neutral community services that residents say are vital for access. Multiple speakers urged that leases be tied to programming outcomes and accountability; several community members stressed that the facility exists because of a mitigation promise to the Bayview‑Hunters Point community and cautioned against displacement of longtime local providers.
Key operational points
Staff emphasized several implementation details: the building has approximately 28,000 square feet of usable leasable space (excluding the Alex Pitcher room and reception), the plan would stop future subleasing, and staff are exploring lease structures that include programming triggers and annual reporting to ensure tenants deliver on stated outcomes. Staff also said they were working with foundations about enabling tenant collaboration and with the Department of Public Works on architectural constraints.
Next steps
Commissioners and staff said they will use the feedback collected at the meeting to refine floor plans, lease terms and a schedule of workshops. No action was taken at the meeting; staff requested the community's guidance as they develop options to balance City College programming, HSA service continuity and nonprofit tenant needs.
