Committee sets Sept. 20 hearing and forwards Park Merced street-vacation items for phases 1C/1D

The committee heard a multi-slide presentation from Jonathan Cherry of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development on items related to the Park Merced redevelopment: a resolution of intent to conditionally vacate portions of several streets and associated SFPUC easements (Item 4) and an ordinance to effectuate those vacations and exchanges (Item 5).

Cherry explained the legislation implements approved aspects of the Park Merced development agreement for subphases 1C and 1D, noting the project sponsor will convey improved new streets to the city and that the city will vacate specified segments and interim easements until new utilities are accepted. Cherry asked the committee to amend Item 4 to add Sept. 20 as the public hearing date and to refer Item 5 to the Committee of the Whole on the same date without recommendation.

Maximus Real Estate Partners' Bill McGivern described timeline constraints and financing requirements: subdivision of 1C/1D is required by lenders to secure construction financing for phases 1A/1B; construction on 1A/1B is anticipated to start in late Q2 of the following year provided final maps and permits are complete; timing for the pedestrian bridge design and removal is unknown and may be tied to phase-specific permits.

Supervisor Melgar moved to amend Item 4 to set Sept. 20 as the hearing date and to send both items per staff recommendation; committee votes were recorded as Peskin, Preston and Melgar "aye" and motions passed. Item 5 was referred without recommendation to the Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 20.

Quote

"The development agreement approved the reconfiguring of certain streets with some areas of current public right of way exchanged for sections of private land that will become newly improved public city streets," Jonathan Cherry said.

Ending

The committee set a Sept. 20 public hearing, advanced the street-vacation approvals to the full Board for further deliberation, and requested Planning and Public Works conditions and SFPUC easement protections be preserved during construction.