Planning staff unveils Fisherman’s Wharf public‑realm plan calling for pedestrian‑first Jefferson Street redesign

The Planning Department presented a comprehensive Fisherman’s Wharf Public Realm Plan that outlines five principal components: a Jefferson Street redesign, streetscape guidelines for area streets, building design guidelines for new development, a public open-space plan and a parking-and-circulation strategy.

Staff framed the plan as the product of extended public engagement, carried out with the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and several city agencies. The presentation highlighted both challenges (disconnected public spaces, narrow sidewalks, auto‑dominated circulation) and strengths (active maritime/fishing heritage and regional tourist draw). Planning staff said Jefferson Street is a priority given extremely high pedestrian volumes — staff cited counts up to roughly 65,000 people a day in the harbor block and peak blocks that could reach over 110,000 daily visitors — and recommended reorienting the street to give pedestrians and cyclists greater priority.

Policy proposals include pedestrian-first cross-sections, protected bike infrastructure, active ground-floor retail guidelines, prioritization of high-quality materials and selective expansion of public open space (including potential new plazas at Jefferson Street, Columbus Plaza and Aquatic Park). Staff noted opportunities to coordinate with Bay Trail funding and with the National Park Service on streetcar alignment for a potential F-line extension toward Fort Mason.

Commissioners praised the plan’s community engagement and called for careful coordination on upcoming permitting, funding and alignment with other major waterfront projects. Staff said design guidelines and implementation work would continue and that the goal is to deliver construction documents for Jefferson Street in time to support America's Cup-related improvements.