OCII approves CMG amendment and Public Works MOU to advance Transbay Underramp Park

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure voted Aug. 24 to approve two agreements that move the Transbay Underramp Park closer to construction. Commissioners Scott, Singh and Vice Chair Miguel Bustos voted to approve a fourth amendment to the existing Conger Moss Gillard (CMG) contract and an MOU with San Francisco Public Works; Chair Mondejar and Commissioner Rosales were absent.

Benjamin Brandon, an OCII project lead, told the commission the CMG amendment would add services to complete schematic design and construction administration for the park beneath the Salesforce Transit Center bus ramp. The agenda lists a requested increase of $1,549,129, bringing CMG’s total contract value to $5,969,235; Brandon also described the new services as “about $1.5 million” during his presentation. He said the added scope includes additional submittals to the Transbay Joint Powers Authority and Caltrans, adding a story to the pavilion, designing a permanent beer‑garden structure, extra construction documentation for Public Works, new engineering studies, and design of security and internet infrastructure. Brandon also said CMG would design lighting and visibility improvements for the Essex Street and Guy Place stairs after safety concerns were raised by the community.

The commission separately authorized an MOU with the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Public Works for design review, project management and construction management services. Brandon described base fees totaling about $4.6 million and allowances of nearly $1.9 million, and said each agency scope includes a 15% contingency. The agenda item listed the MOU amount as not to exceed $6,521,327. Public Works will be responsible for coordinating reviews with SFMTA and SFPUC, overseeing consultants, ensuring compliance with applicable city requirements and OCII small‑business (SBE) policies, and managing construction oversight once the project is bid.

The Underramp Park is planned to stretch from just south of Folsom Street north to Howard Street with a direct connection to the Salesforce Transit Center. OCII’s presentation said the roughly 2.5‑acre park would include a dog park, protected bike and pedestrian paths, sports courts, play areas, and food kiosks in a permanent pavilion. Staff recommended final schematic design approval this coming winter, design completion between spring 2019 and spring 2020, bidding in summer 2020, construction start in 2020 and completion by 2022, and negotiating a lease with Caltrans for use of the land under the Fremont Street off‑ramp during the design period.

During public comment, longtime community activist Ace Washington criticized redevelopment’s effects on the Fillmore neighborhood and demanded OCII meet residents in the area. Commissioner Singh asked whether the CMG amendment had been competitively bid; staff replied the amendment modifies an existing contract with CMG and therefore was not competitively bid, and that Public Works’ work is an in‑house service arrangement while subsequent subcontracted work will be competitively procured and must comply with OCII SBE rules.

The motion to approve each item was made and seconded by commissioners and passed by roll call (3 ayes, 2 absent). The commission will return for formal schematic design approval in winter as staff continues community outreach and coordination with TJPA, Caltrans and other city agencies.