OCII approves Alexandria-Uber Mission Bay office design, including on-site childcare and variances

The San Francisco Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure Commission voted 4-0 (one absence) to approve design review and two variances for a two-building office development on Mission Bay Blocks 26 Parcel 1 and 27 Parcel 1, sponsored by Alexandria Real Estate with Uber as its primary tenant.

The approved package includes major-phase and schematic-design approvals, two variances from the Mission Bay South Design-for-Development (D4D) standards (a street-wall continuity variance to allow retractable street-level screens, and a view-corridor/bridge variance to permit two pedestrian bridges over Pierpoint Lane), and an on-site childcare facility. Commissioner Bustos moved the design approval; Commissioner Singh seconded. The roll-call vote recorded four ayes and one absent; the item passed.

Why it matters: staff and the project team said the project fills a critical infill site at Third and South streets, adds ground-floor retail and publicly accessible spaces, commits to a permanent, recorded childcare space, and includes public art and workforce commitments. Michelle de Guzman, OCII27s Mission Bay development specialist, told commissioners the submittal "will supplant the prior major phase" and aligns with the South Redevelopment Plan and D4D standards as modified by the variances.

The childcare and public-benefit details were central to the discussion. The developer said the on-site childcare "will serve 59 children" and that the dedicated childcare space is just under 6,000 square feet. Staff explained the project meets city rules for on-site childcare under Planning Code section 4.14: the space will be dedicated for childcare for the life of the building through a notice of special restriction recorded on the property, must be licensed and nonprofit-operated, and must make 10% of maximum capacity affordable to low-income families. The project also provides dedicated short-term parking for parent pick-up/drop-off to avoid curb queuing.

Design and public-realm features cited by the applicants and staff include retractable teak screens at sidewalk level (to maintain a continuous street wall while allowing temporary widening during events), two pedestrian bridges set above the pedestrian experience (presented as 8 feet of clear width, sited so they would not substantially harm view corridors), and an anticipated $2.3 million contribution to public art across several on- and near-site locations.

Public comment and Commission response: Corinne Woods, chair of the Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee, told the Commission the CAC "supports this project" and praised the childcare and the bridge design. Commissioners asked the project team and staff detailed questions about sidewalk condition, screen operation, bridge width and design, childcare operations and eligibility, and contracting and hiring participation for San Francisco firms. Staff and the sponsor described contracting compliance, small-business participation percentages to date, and First Source hiring contributions tied to the Owner Participation Agreement. Staff said the developer has met or exceeded small-business goals for professional services and that several top-contract awards were to San Francisco firms.

Next steps: staff noted that the Planning Commission will consider the project for design review on April 14 and that, if all required approvals and conditions are met, construction could begin later in the year. The Executive Director will execute the secondary-use findings required for the childcare and other plan provisions contingent on Commission approval.

Reported votes and motion: Commissioner Bustos moved to approve; Commissioner Singh seconded. The roll call recorded "Yes" votes from Commissioners Bustos, Singh, Vice Chair Mondejar and Chair Rosales; Commissioner Pimentel was absent. The Commission27s action was recorded as "Item passes."