Commission approves Block 52 major-phase application at Hunters Point, including eight affordable for-sale units

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure voted July 15 to approve the major-phase application and related CEQA findings for Block 52 in the Hunters Point Shipyard Phase 1 development.

Staff and the project team presented schematic designs and project data: Block 52 would include 74 homes, eight of which are designated affordable at 80% of area median income (AMI), representing 10.5% of the block under the DDA. Developer Lennar executive Danny Cook described the project and emphasized local partnerships: "We are per the DDA we're providing 10.5% of 80% AMI units," he said during the presentation.

Design details and amenities: architect Veronica of Ignition reviewed five buildings on the block — two podium-style 2-flat buildings, two townhome buildings with private garages, and a larger five-story podium building with elevator access. Unit sizes range from about 760 to roughly 1,400 square feet; the design includes podium courtyards, stormwater treatment planting at podium level, private open space, and street-level activation with limited retail at the hilltop corner.

Local participation and contracting: staff emphasized community benefits and local hiring: the project’s vertical contracting has achieved notably high small business enterprise (SBE) and small-product-enterprise (SPE) participation numbers to date (staff cited SPE participation of 84% on this Block 52 work and 77.5% project-to-date), and staff will coordinate with CityBuild and workforce partners on hiring as construction proceeds.

Parking, retail and outreach: commissioners pressed staff and the developer on retail size (Block 52 retail estimated roughly 1,200–1,500 square feet; Block 1 retail cited around 9,000 square feet) and parking. Staff noted phase 1 design rules limit maximum parking to two spaces per unit (a 2:1 cap). On outreach to certificate-of-preference (COP) holders, staff described an expanded marketing schedule that provides earlier notice and support — up to 16–18 months of outreach, workshops, and coordination with the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to create a pool of ready COP holders.

Financial and schedule details: staff said the total development cost of the blocks is approximately $33,000,000, the appraisal for Block 52 land is currently estimated near $4,800,000, and the block could generate roughly 793 construction jobs when built. Staff outlined next steps: finalize the appraisal, community-builder partners select a program option (fee, joint venture, or independent) within 30 days of appraisal, execute a vertical DDA by the executive director before construction, and proceed to subsequent design phases; staff suggested an early target of breaking ground in April 2015 and completing by May 2017, subject to approvals and market conditions.

The commission moved, seconded, and approved the major-phase application by roll call (5 ayes).