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OCII approves final Hunters Point Shipyard artist relocation plan and studio‑assignment process
Summary
The Commission approved a final relocation plan requiring on‑site replacement studios and a new commercial kitchen for Hunters Point Shipyard artists and Eclectic Cookery, with a STAR‑facilitated studio assignment process and protections including moving assistance and business reestablishment benefits.
The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure on Aug. 18 approved a final relocation plan for artists and a commercial kitchen at the Hunters Point Shipyard, adopting a staff‑recommended process to assign replacement studios and detailing tenant benefits and timelines.
The plan, required under the site’s Disposition and Development Agreement and relocation law, affirms that replacement facilities will be provided on‑site and that relocation activities — including notices of eligibility, moving assistance, advisory services and an appeals process — will be administered by OCII and its consultant Overland Pacific & Cutler. OCII staff said construction of the replacement kitchen is underway and the kitchen tenant, Eclectic Cookery, will be the first to move; Building 110 will be demolished after the kitchen relocation and the new artist studio building constructed in its place.
Why it matters: The Shipyard arts community includes roughly 140 artists occupying about 130 studios; the DDA requires on‑site replacement and seeks to limit interim moves. The commission’s approval aims to preserve below‑market studio space in the face of redevelopment and to reduce business disruption for local food entrepreneurs that rely on shared kitchen facilities.
OCII staff outlined key provisions: an eligibility cutoff for relocation assistance extended to May 20, 2014; advisory and moving services (including an OCII‑hired mover option with no out‑of‑pocket cost if OCII arranges the move); and business reestablishment benefits of up to $25,000 to cover increased rent and other reestablishment costs for qualifying businesses. OCII said STAR (Shipyard Trust for the Arts) has raised $15,000 to help cover artists’ transition costs during the first year.
Martie McKee, president of Shipyard Trust for the Arts, described a studio assignment process that organizes artists into roughly a dozen cluster groups by studio size and asks each cluster to choose its studios by consensus; if consensus fails, seniority determines pick order. McKee said the approach “gives some power to the artist” and requires 75% of a cluster to be present to finalize selections.
Eclectic Cookery’s owner Scott Madison told the commission he supports the relocation plan but urged careful lease terms, saying the new kitchen is smaller and that the business may face higher rent, new responsibilities for taxes and insurance, and 100% of maintenance rather than the current arrangement. “Our own future and that of our clients depend on sustainable lease terms,” Madison said, noting about 50 small businesses (many MWBEs) use Eclectic’s incubator services.
Commissioners pressed staff on timing and tenant protections. OCII confirmed the replacement kitchen move is slated for November and the replacement studio building completion is expected in early 2017. Staff said lease negotiations between Lennar and Eclectic Cookery are ongoing and that OCII would keep the commission informed of outcomes.
The commission motion to adopt the final relocation plan and the STAR studio assignment process passed on a roll‑call vote of 3 ayes, 1 absent.
Next steps: OCII will issue notices of eligibility and notice to vacate to tenants per the relocation schedule and continue lease negotiations for Eclectic Cookery, and STAR will begin group meetings to facilitate studio assignments.
