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Neighborhood groups present alternative 'community vision' for Northeast Waterfront; commissioners hear broad public support and concerns about parking and view
Summary
A coalition of neighborhood groups presented a community vision calling for reconnecting Chinatown and North Beach to the waterfront, improved parking and transit, active recreation, and a development plan for seawall lots. Dozens of residents, merchants and neighborhood associations testified in support and urged that the city incorporate community priorities into port and planning studies.
A coalition led by Asian Neighborhood Design presented a community‑prepared vision for San Francisco’s Northeast Waterfront at the Planning Commission on July 7, urging more comprehensive, neighborhood‑led planning for publicly owned seawall lots.
Fernando Marti, community planning director, described goals developed through multiworkshop outreach: reconnecting neighborhoods (especially Chinatown and North Beach) to the waterfront, coordinating parking to better use existing garages, restoring transit connections along Broadway and Washington, creating active recreation and a world‑class bike center, and producing an implementation plan that balances revenue generation with community benefits.
Score of public testimony followed. Speakers representing the Chinese Historical Society of America, the Golden Gateway Tenants Association, Telegraph Hill Dwellers, Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association and others praised the community process and asked the commission to adopt the plan’s principles. Testimony emphasized protecting views, preserving neighborhood scale near the Ferry Building and Sue Bierman Park, and avoiding large towers on seawall lots.
Some commenters urged caution on specific items. Housing and transportation advocates pushed for clearer parking validation and transit service, while others questioned whether certain seawall lots should remain surface parking. Several speakers emphasized the opportunity presented by the America’s Cup to accelerate improvements but asked for a comprehensive implementation plan with funding, lead agencies, and timelines.
Planning staff acknowledged the department’s Northeast Embarcadero study but said the community vision expands on that work by addressing streets, sidewalks, and implementation priorities. Commissioners thanked presenters and members of the public and noted the need to coordinate MTA, the Port, and planning staff on implementation and CEQA processes.
