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Port Commission approves MOU and $32 million in grants for Mission Bay Ferry Landing
Summary
The Port Commission unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with SF Bay Ferry and accepted two grants — $28 million from SF Bay Ferry and $4 million from UCSF — to fund the Mission Bay Ferry Landing at 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard. Staff estimates the project at $74 million and anticipates first riders in 2027.
The Port Commission on March 11 voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with SF Bay Ferry and to accept two grants totaling $32,000,000 to fund the Mission Bay Ferry Landing at 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard.
Port project staff said the Mission Bay Ferry Landing has been in planning since 2016 and that engineering work uncovered contaminated sediment that raised costs. Simon Beth Salal, a project manager in the Port’s engineering project-management office, told commissioners: “The project is now estimated at $74,000,000. That’s a 37% cost increase since 2019.” He said the increase reflects contaminated sediment remediation, an expanded electrification scope tied to an EPA Clean Ports grant, amended permitting timelines, and five years of material and labor escalation.
The Commission approved three staff items as a package: (1) authorization to enter into an MOU with SF Bay Ferry that outlines roles in funding, design, and delivery; (2) authorization to accept and expend a $28,000,000 grant from the Water Emergency Transportation Authority/SF Bay Ferry; and (3) authorization to accept and expend a $4,000,000 contribution from the Regents of the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). UCSF Senior Director of Local and State Government Relations Ami Alden spoke during public comment to confirm UCSF’s support, saying the gift will help connect UCSF’s Mission Bay campus to regional ferry service.
Staff described a phased delivery approach. Phase 2A (marine demolition and sediment cap/mattress) is design-complete and is expected to advertise for construction this spring; marine work generally occurs in a restricted in‑water window (roughly June–November) to protect spawning fish. Phase 2B design is wrapping up with anticipated contracting in early 2026; upland improvements and full ferry landing construction would extend into 2027, when staff anticipates first ferry riders.
Funding sources described by staff include federal EPA Clean Ports funding for electrification, RM3 and TRCP funds as identified in the staff report, UCSF private funds, and Port and city funds. Salal summarized city contributions listed in the project funding table as $19,800,000 in city funds, of which $7,000,000 is Port capital of which $5.6 million had already been spent.
Commissioners expressed support while pressing staff for better breakdowns of the cost escalation. After discussion, a motion to approve the MOU and accept the grants passed unanimously.
Next steps include returning to future Port Commission meetings to award marine and design contracts and to execute the MOU and grant acceptance paperwork. Staff reiterated the schedule constraints related to the in‑water work window and permitting.
