Board committee modifies $40.5M park and port bond appropriations, releases design funds

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee amended and forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors an ordinance appropriating $40,520,000 in Clean and Safe Park bond proceeds for capital improvements for Recreation & Park and the Port of San Francisco.

Rec & Park General Manager Yongia Gumbayati told the committee the $40.52 million breaks down to about $36.9 million for Rec & Park projects and roughly $3.6 million for port property work. He asked the board to release certain design and planning funds now and place the remainder on reserve while staff completes project definitions.

Ken Bruce of the budget analyst—s office recommended reserving $8.96 million slated for restrooms, trails and the community opportunity fund because the department had not provided sufficient project detail. The committee agreed to release $1.5 million from that reserve to pay planning and design "soft costs" so staff can prepare construction documents, and to reserve the balance pending more detailed estimates.

Supervisors debated whether to release construction money for a small port project at Heron's Head Park. Supervisor Sophie Maxwell argued the port—s project is well defined and should receive its full appropriation. Supervisor Peskin said his longstanding policy is to release design funds first and construction funds later to avoid cost overruns: "we give you the design money and you do your cost estimation and then you come back for your construction money," he said. The committee nevertheless approved releasing $550,000 for Heron's Head construction as part of the amended package.

On the Port—s separate item, Port representative Tina Olsen asked to appropriate $130,462.77 of closed‑out revenue to fund preliminary engineering for the Pier 43 Bay Trail Link. The budget analyst noted alternatives and suggested placing the amount in an undesignated capital account if more specificity was needed. The committee reduced the Pier 43 planning line by the $130,462.77 and placed the funds on reserve, then approved item 2 as presented.

The committee forwarded the amended item 1 and approved item 2 to the full board with recommendation. The committee also directed departments to supply detailed cost breakdowns in writing to the controller and budget analyst before further releases.

Next steps: amended appropriations will go to the full Board of Supervisors; Rec & Park and the Port will prepare detailed cost estimates for subsequent construction appropriations.