OCII approves Mission Bay amendment to make Bridgeview Way pedestrian-only

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure Commission on April 16 approved a second amendment to the Mission Bay South major phase to redesign Lot B of Bridgeview Way as a pedestrian-focused open space and remove local vehicular access. The commission voted unanimously, 5–0, adopting environmental findings under the Mission Bay South Redevelopment Project FSEIR.

OCII development specialist Nikki Henry told commissioners Lot B sits between two affordable housing developments (Blocks 9 and 9A) and is the final segment of Bridgeview Way to be completed. She said the amendment removes vehicle access no longer needed for local garage circulation, adds removable bollards for emergency vehicles, and reconfigures the parcel as a pedestrian-friendly open area intended to benefit adjacent affordable-housing residents. “This will not be open to cars. It’ll have removable bollards for emergency vehicles, and then it’ll be a pedestrian throughway,” Henry said.

Staff said the master developer originally submitting the major phase was Cattellus Development Corporation; Fossil MB LLC is now successor in interest. OCII noted the change is within the scope of the Mission Bay South FSEIR and that the Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee reviewed the proposal on Jan. 11, 2024 and voted in favor. A transportation analysis commissioned for the closure found the change would not push significant traffic onto surrounding streets and would increase pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and circulation.

Commissioners pressed staff on safety and on how future event traffic — including a large parking garage proposed for the Mission Rock development immediately north — could affect circulation. Staff said existing public streets are not being altered and described Bridgeview Way as a curbless, alley-like pedestrian area. They noted the future Mission Rock parking garage was analyzed at a minimum of 2,300 spaces, with analysis up to 3,100 spaces.

A commissioner asked whether the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) had weighed in under its Vision Zero pedestrian-safety program. Staff said they had not formally consulted SFMTA but that a traffic consultant hired by the master developer found no impacts rising to the level that would require additional environmental review. The commission accepted a friendly amendment directing staff to meet with SFMTA during permitting and design review to confirm Vision Zero compliance and to discuss mitigation or public-safety monitoring when the parking structure opens; staff agreed to follow up.

The commission approved the amendment and the CEQA findings and directed staff to work with the Department of Public Works, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Fire Department and other technical divisions during permitting and design review. OCII staff said construction of the Lot B design would begin after completion of Block 9A, currently expected in the fall.

Next steps: staff will proceed with permitting and design review and report back on SFMTA input and any recommended safety or mitigation measures before final permits are issued.