Historic Preservation Commission reviews Portsmouth Square alternatives as Chinatown groups back bridge removal

The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed preservation alternatives for the Portsmouth Square improvement project and heard broad public support for removing the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge to make way for a larger, programmed clubhouse and improved public-safety and sunlight conditions.

Kara Rupert, project manager for the Recreation and Parks Department, described the project as the outcome of an extensive community outreach process and said the proposed plan would remove the pedestrian bridge, expand the clubhouse area, create a unified two-terrace park with a grand staircase and play areas, and add a larger indoor facility for community programming and resilience functions. Michelle Taylor of planning staff said the proposal and two preservation alternatives were being presented for review and comment ahead of the draft environmental impact report (EIR).

Planning staff explained the alternatives package: the proposed project (bridge removed, large clubhouse ~8,313 sq ft), a full preservation alternative (retain the bridge, reduce clubhouse footprint to roughly 6,651 sq ft with a 15-foot setback) and a partial preservation alternative (retain symbolic/interpretive elements while losing the physical bridge). Staff also noted the proposed project would cause "significant and unavoidable" impacts to the Kearny Street pedestrian bridge and to the cultural significance of 750 Kearney Street under CEQA, and outlined mitigation measures including interpretive signage, documentation, and salvage.

Public comment was heavily in favor of the proposed project. Sunny from Supervisor Peskin's office, community groups including the Chinatown Community Development Center, Chinatown Tenants Association, Self Help for the Elderly, Community Youth Center and advocacy groups said the bridge has long impeded park activation, cast a shadow over the clubhouse, and limited usable community space. Alan Lowe (Community for Better Parks and Recreation) said the project "has taken over 10 years in planning" and the community has already spent more than $2,000,000 to reach the preferred design; he urged the commission to support removal of the private bridge to expand community space.

Commissioners discussed adequacy of the alternatives and largely agreed the three-option set (proposed, full preservation, partial preservation) met CEQA requirements for alternatives analysis. Several commissioners expressed support for the community-preferred option to remove the bridge while urging staff to ensure the draft EIR retains stronger Chinatown cultural connections and robust interpretive measures. Staff said the alternatives would be included in the draft EIR and returned to the HPC for formal review when published.

Because this was an informational review rather than an approval action, the commission's discussion serves as guidance to staff and to the Recreation and Parks Department ahead of the Planning Commission and EIR process.