Planning Commission certifies final EIR for Portsmouth Square improvement project

The San Francisco Planning Commission on a unanimous 7–0 vote certified the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project, a long‑planned renovation of the Chinatown park at 733 Kearny (Kearney) Street.

Planning Department environmental coordinator Megan Kalpin told the commission the final EIR evaluates renovation of the roughly 66,000‑square‑foot park, removal of the private pedestrian bridge that links the park to 750 Kearney Street, a new children’s playground and exercise equipment, expanded sidewalks and landscaping, and a new clubhouse proposed at 8,300 square feet. The EIR also analyzed seismic upgrades and waterproofing for the four‑level Portsmouth Square garage.

The final EIR concluded the project would cause significant and unavoidable impacts to historic architectural resources—specifically the 750 Kearney hotel building and the pedestrian bridge—while identifying mitigation measures intended to reduce harm. Kalpin summarized three mitigation measures: an interpretive public program including oral histories; documentation of the affected historical resources; and a salvage plan to preserve elements where feasible. Kalpin emphasized that certification is a CEQA finding and ‘‘the motion does not approve the project, but instead certifies that the EIR complies with CEQA and is adequate, accurate, and objective.’’

Community groups that have been engaged in the project for years urged certification at the hearing. Alan Lowe of the Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown described the item as ‘‘the final lap to a long and tortuous process’’ and said the EIR’s analysis of bridge removal and proposed mitigations met CEQA standards. Emily Chung, director of social services at Self‑Affording the Elderly, said Portsmouth Square serves as an essential outdoor living room for seniors and single‑room‑occupancy residents and supported certification. Karen Chan and planners from the Chinatown Community Development Center also urged approval, citing extensive outreach and the park’s role for local families.

Commissioners spoke in favor of certification on procedural and substantive grounds. Commissioner Fung said the EIR is ‘‘full and complete’’ and moved to adopt the staff certification motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Because certification is a CEQA determination, it does not grant subsequent permits or approvals for construction. Staff and project sponsors will need to return for any required discretionary approvals and permits after certification. The commission’s certification allows future land‑use decisions to proceed with the final EIR in place as the environmental record.