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Three developer teams pitch contrasting reuse plans for Pier 70 historic buildings
Summary
Staff presented responses to the Pier 70 RFP and three teams—Culture/Structure (arts/entertainment), Build Inc./Equity Community Builders (mixed‑use with social equity), and Orton Development/Marcy Wong (new American workplace)—gave five‑minute summaries; staff will interview teams, hold community presentations, and return with a recommendation in February.
The Port Commission heard three short developer presentations and an overview from port planning staff on proposals to rehabilitate Twentieth Street historic buildings at Pier 70.
Kathleen Dihepp, Ports Planning and Development, said the RFP process began with a request for expressions of interest and narrowed dozens of inquiries to four proposals; three teams presented to the Commission today. She described evaluation criteria—qualifications, financial capacity, rehabilitation concept and feasibility—and the next steps of interviews, community outreach and a staff recommendation in February.
Peter Brandon’s Culture/Structure team emphasized arts, performance and studio spaces in Buildings 101, 104 and 113–116, combined with new commercial infill to support the historic district. Brandon said the plan follows the Pier 70 master plan and aims to create a connected set of creative venues and plazas to activate the site.
A Build Inc. / Equity Community Builders team led by Lou Vasquez and John Clawson framed its approach around locally rooted, socially equitable redevelopment that leverages nonprofit financing tools and partnerships to catalyze small business incubation and jobs. "This team of Build Inc., UP and Equity Community Builders is a response to a question we were asked a couple of years ago…what would you do if you were us?" Vasquez said.
Orton Development and architect Marcy Wong presented a model that mixes office, research and light manufacturing under one roof—the “New American Workplace”—and highlighted the team’s track record on similar adaptive‑reuse projects.
Commissioners and staff praised the variety of ideas and reiterated outreach plans: the Central Waterfront Advisory Group will hear deeper presentations on Feb. 8 and staff will publish expanded proposal materials on the Pier 70 website. Dihepp said staff will interview the teams, perform economic and feasibility checks, and return to the Commission with a recommendation on whether to enter exclusive negotiations or pursue other steps.
Next steps: community interviews and a staff recommendation with analysis of financing and entitlements in February.
