Commission conditionally approves schematic designs for Block 49, a 60‑unit Hunters Point affordable housing site

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure on Oct. 15 conditionally approved schematic designs and CEQA findings for Block 49, a proposed 60‑unit affordable housing project on Parcel A of the Hunters Point Shipyard Phase I redevelopment area.

Amber Lako Asare, the agency assistant project manager for the shipyard, told the commission the Sixth Amendment to the Phase I Disposition and Development Agreement allows the master developer, Lennar, to concentrate 50% area‑median‑income (AMI) affordable units on a single block so those deeply affordable units can be delivered sooner. "Block 49 units will be made available to individuals who earn up to 50% area median income, which in 2013 equals $35,450 annually for a one‑person household or $50,600 for a four‑person family," Asare said. She added that Lennar will cover any financing gap and pay a $1,000,000 affordable housing fee required under the amendment.

Design and materials were presented by David Baker Architects and development partner AMCAL. Architect Kevin Wilcock described the project as roughly 80,000 square feet including community areas and an enclosed garage. He said the design meets development standards for the site, provides about 43 enclosed parking spaces and bike parking, and aims to achieve LEED Silver and CalGreen requirements. "We introduced wood at the ground floor to make it softer in terms of tactile touch to the people who visit the building and walk along the street," Wilcock said.

Speakers from the development team and Young Community Developers described community outreach: a charrette and Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee review informed the design changes, including softened massing, bay windows, and historical narrative signage incorporated into common areas. Dr. Veronica Honeycutt, chair of the CAC, urged approval, saying the charrette "yielded wonderful, positive results, which were reflected in the designs that you are scrutinizing."

Public commenters expressed a mix of views. Francisco de Costa raised concerns about cultural resources, site contamination and public notices; he criticized changes made to earlier promises in the DDA. A longtime resident, Doris Vinson, said the team listened to community input and urged approval. Ace Washington urged strong local hiring and community participation in the long term.

The commission attached several conditions to schematic approval, which staff summarized as: further design‑development review and mockups for materials and finishes; staff review to ensure final products reflect approved schematic designs; a required study of combined bay windows and proposed sunshades for compliance with the site—s design standards; initial programming for common rooms with flexible furnishings and resident consultation at occupancy; guardrail design that incorporates historical signage; and a process requiring the building owner/operator to notify the successor agency (OCII) and the housing successor agency if residents raise quality‑of‑life concerns so alternative designs can be developed if needed.

Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the schematic designs as amended; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5–0 roll‑call vote.

Next steps include finalizing transaction documents (conveyance, vertical lease/design/development/disposition agreements and ground leases) in early 2014, resolving remaining schematic‑stage design issues during design development, and returning to the commission for those approvals and the project closing. Staff estimated marketing and lottery steps would begin roughly six months before completion, with a planned lottery in August 2015 and move‑ins in late 2015, subject to financing and schedule.