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Public Works awards $6.95M contract for Minna & Natoma streetscape featuring block‑specific artworks
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a $6,946,382 contract with Baumann Landscaping Construction for the Minna and Natoma Streetscape Project, a pedestrian and beautification project in District 6 that includes block‑by‑block artist‑designed decorative asphalt and street furniture. Yerba Buena CBD will take primary maintenance responsibility under an existing MOU.
The San Francisco Public Works Commission voted Feb. 13 to award the Minna and Natoma Streetscape Project contract to Baumann Landscaping Construction for $6,946,382, with a construction duration of 600 calendar days.
Project manager Arun Bhatia described the project as pedestrian and beautification improvements along Minna Street (from 3rd to 2nd) and Natoma Street (from SFMoMA to 2nd Street) in District 6. The project pairs standard streetscape elements—ADA‑compliant bulbouts, upgraded signals and crosswalks, lighting, drainage and sidewalk improvements—with block‑specific art elements created by five local artists. Staff read statements from artists Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Mel Vera Cruz, Musee Sisay, Masako Miki and Jesse Schlessinger explaining the inspiration behind decorative asphalt and furniture designs.
Bhatia said the contract was rebid after an earlier advertisement produced a late low bid and numerous contractor questions about the artwork. The rebid, conducted after clarifying specifications, produced lower prices and saved roughly $1.5 million compared with the first round. Twelve‑December 18, 2024 bids yielded three participants; Baumann submitted the low bid on rebid and is considered capable of delivering the scope, staff said.
Commissioners questioned maintenance and longevity of the decorative asphalt and were told the artwork is applied as an overlaid heated grid (similar to traffic striping) with an expected useful life of 10–20 years. Bhatia said the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District (CBD) will assume the bulk of routine maintenance under a memorandum of understanding, with East Cut CBD covering a smaller portion; Public Works, the artists, and the CBDs will coordinate on repairs if damage occurs.
Commissioners also asked why Baumann’s traffic control cost was far lower than the engineers’ estimate; staff replied Baumann bid about $270,000 while the engineering estimate was near $700,000 and the project’s ability to utilize full road closures in much of the corridor makes traffic control less costly than typical lane‑restrictions scenarios.
A motion to award the contract was moved and seconded; the commission approved the contract unanimously and directed staff to post the resolution to the Commission website.
