Committee approves forwarding $2.4M Caltrans grant to create South of Market street-tree nursery

The Budget & Finance Committee considered a retroactive accept-and-expend resolution allowing the Department of Public Works to accept $2.4 million from the California Department of Transportation's Clean California Local Enhancement Program for a South of Market street-tree nursery.

John Sway, contracts and grants manager for Public Works' Bureau of Urban Forestry, described the project site as a vacant Caltrans freeway parcel between the Fifth Street on- and off-ramps at Harrison and Brannan Streets. Project elements include ornamental fencing and gates, a modular office, landscaping, electrical and water service, public art and vehicle access; the site will grow and store container trees for city street-planting programs and host educational and volunteer programming.

Public Works said the resolution is retroactive because the funding agreement has a March 1, 2022 start date; the department had not yet accepted the funds or signed the agreement. Supervisors asked how the nursery fits into the city's broader urban-forestry strategy; Public Works responded that the department currently lacks space to grow trees and that a dedicated nursery will increase capacity to source species acclimated to local climate and support the city's canopy-expansion goals.

After no public comment, Member Marr moved that the committee forward the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the committee voted unanimously.