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OCII grants three‑year permit for temporary Essex Street community garden with East Cut CBD
Summary
The commission approved a three‑year revocable permit to enter with the East Cut Community Benefit District to construct and operate a temporary community garden on a portion of the Essex Street Hillside. The permit area will include 20 wooden plots (17 individual, 3 shared), accessible design elements, and no fee charged by OCII.
The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure voted unanimously Feb. 2 to authorize a revocable permit to enter (PTE) with the East Cut Community Benefit District allowing the group to construct, manage and maintain a temporary community garden on a portion of the Essex Street open space in the Transbay project area.
Ben Brandon of OCII's Transbay team told commissioners the PTE term is three years and described the project elements: 20 wooden garden plots made up of 17 individual plots and three shared community plots, a tool shed, hose bibs for water access, potting tables, a citrus tree, catenary lighting, seating and accessible spacing to accommodate differently abled users. The existing security fence will remain and East Cut CBD’s roving security staff will monitor the site at night. OCII will not charge the CBD for the PTE in recognition of the community benefit.
Katrina Johnson, president of the East Cut Community Benefit District and a resident at 88 Guy Place, called in to voice neighborhood support, saying the lot has often been filled with trash and that a garden would be “nothing but upside.” Commissioners expressed support and approved the PTE by roll call (4 ayes). Staff said the CBD would immediately begin procuring materials, select a general contractor this spring, and host volunteer workdays with a grand opening targeted for the summer.
