Sculptures, Federal Lobbying, and a Century of Heritage Shape Port's Waterfront Vision

The San Francisco Port Commission charted an ambitious cultural and economic course for the waterfront on April 14, leaning into philanthropically funded public art, federal infrastructure dollars, and the Italian-American heritage of Fisherman's Wharf. From four new large-scale sculptures to a naming proposal honoring one of the city's most iconic seafood restaurants, the commission's message was clear: the waterfront's recovery runs through identity, art, and investment.

• Four new sculptures headed to Port waterfront as Big Art Loop targets 100 installations by 2028, with nearby businesses reporting foot-traffic gains

• Port lobbies Congress and Sacramento for Army Corps flood study funding before the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires Sept. 30

• Fisherman's Wharf hit 1 million visitors in a single month for the first time since pre-pandemic, per Placer AI data

• Commission endorses naming new Wharf plaza "Alioto's Plaza" — the first use of a newly adopted naming policy honoring a century of Sicilian-American fishing heritage

• Longtime ballpark hat vendor tells commissioners he has been repeatedly displaced and arrested; president orders staff to intervene

Art as Economic Engine: Big Art Loop Expands With Four New Sculpture Sites

The Sobrandi Foundation-funded Big Art Loop — a program aiming to bring 100 large-scale sculptures to San Francisco by 2028 — is expanding to four new Port waterfront sites, with staff and commissioners debating how far the city should push its ambitions as an arts destination.

The basics: The Big Art Loop, produced by Building 180, has already installed 11 sculptures since October. Each piece is borrowed for two years with an option for a third. The program is entirely philanthropically funded, requiring no Port expenditure. Four new sites are proposed: Pier 9, Red's Java House/Pier 28, South Beach Marina Harbor, and Bayview Gateway. Each has a backup location pending engineering feasibility, which is complicated by subsurface water conditions.

Why it matters: Restaurants near existing sculptures are reporting measurable increases in customers. Business Generation Manager Amy Cohen highlighted that businesses near installed art report visitor upticks, particularly Koketa near Pier 7's "Got Framed" sculpture and Joyride Pizza near the Pier 1/2 "Coralie" installation. In a waterfront still clawing back from pandemic-era tourism losses, free public art is functioning as a proven economic development tool — at zero cost to taxpayers.

Where things stand: Building 180 CEO Meredith Winner presented the program's track record, while Julie Flynn of Street Plans unveiled plans for a branded "waterfront walk" — a wayfinding system with QR-coded trail markers linking to an interactive Google map, branded merchandise, a dedicated webpage via the Downtown SF Partnership, and up to three large-scale temporary murals. The four new artists include Norwegian sculptor Glegg Dubieski (Pier 9), Italian-American Berkeley artist Giuseppe Palumbo (Pier 28), local artist Finch (South Beach Harbor), and Iranian-American San Franciscan Gazelle Dosti (Bayview Gateway).

The other side: Commissioners weren't content with the current pace. Vice Chair Stephen Engblom pressed for a bolder vision:

"What's the ambition around this? I think San Francisco is at a turning point in its identity," he said, pushing for collaboration with SFMOMA and the Arts Commission to position the waterfront as a world-class arts destination.

Commissioner Steven Lee offered a practical suggestion, recommending cross-promotion with events like the art fair at Fort Mason, encouraging brochures directing visitors to the sculptures around the city. President Gail Gilman zeroed in on equity, asking whether BIPOC and local artists had been solicited. Staff confirmed an open-call process and noted that local artists, including Zulu Harrow at India Basin, are part of the pipeline.

What's next: Installations at the four new sites are targeted for June through August 2026. The waterfront walk branding and wayfinding strategy will continue to develop in partnership with the Downtown SF Partnership.

Port Takes Federal Funding Push to Congress as Infrastructure Deadline Looms

The Port's government affairs team used three trips to Washington and Sacramento over recent months to push for inclusion of the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study in WRDA 2026 — the Water Resources Development Act — before a critical federal funding window closes.

Why it matters: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires Sept. 30, 2025, creating urgent pressure to lock in authorization for the Port's seawall resilience work. The Army Corps of Engineers now requires 35% design completion before approving the flood study, adding a technical hurdle to the timeline.

Where things stand: Government Affairs Manager Boris Delepine detailed meetings with Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Kevin Mullen, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's office to advance the flood study. The Port has already secured a $12 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant for Alameda Street improvements in the southern waterfront, and has applied for $10 million to rehabilitate the West Apron of Pier 45.

"By successfully delivering on the dollars that we secured under previous federal programs like PIDP, the American Rescue Plan Act, EPA's Clean Ports Program, we're building a track record that will position us to compete effectively when the federal funding landscape becomes a little more favorable to us," said Delepine.

Other federal priorities include the President's Maritime Action Plan ($70 billion), community project funding ($1.8 million for downtown coastal resilience and $1.8 million for Exploratorium Pier 15 lighting, the latter selected by Pelosi), and surface transportation reauthorization.

The other side: Commissioner Steven Lee pressed on whether all the advocacy trips would actually yield results:

"Do you think we're ever going to get any funding to start our seawall projects or anything? Just to get started?"

Commissioner Willie Adams offered reassurance, citing broad support from the California port community:

"We have a strong bench. You have John Girimandi, we have a port caucus. We have so many people behind us, names that you never hear about."

On the state side, California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) is pushing a billion-dollar clean transportation infrastructure proposal led by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, co-signed by Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani and Assemblyman Matt Haney. The Port has applied for a $10 million California Energy Commission grant for Pier 80 EV charging.

President Gail Gilman underscored the unity among California ports during the DC trips and emphasized that waterfront businesses cannot rely on tourists alone:

"When it is pouring rain or storming, those businesses will live and die on local San Franciscans. They can't just feast on tourists alone."

Fisherman's Wharf Hits Pandemic Milestone; SF Opera Pivots to Pier 70

Acting Executive Director Michael Martin delivered a wide-ranging report anchored by a landmark data point: Fisherman's Wharf logged 1 million visitors in December — the first time it has reached that threshold since before the pandemic, according to Placer AI footfall data from the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District.

Why it matters: The figure signals genuine economic recovery at the waterfront's most tourist-dependent corridor, even as international tourism remains depressed. A recent mayoral walk at Fisherman's Wharf with Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Danny Sodder showcased progress including the completed smokehouse, the plaza at the former Alioto's restaurant site, inner lagoon improvements, and new restaurants Everton Jones and Chaska Rio.

Martin also highlighted the rapid pivot of SF Opera's "Out of the Box" event from Crane Cove Park outdoors to Building 12 at Pier 70 in just three days due to weather — a collaboration with Brookfield Properties and Port staff.

"Over the course of three days, we pivoted and put this event indoors at Building 12. And it was great."

Martin also announced that Deputy Maritime Director Andre Coleman is leaving the Port for the private sector. Dominic Moreno will step in as acting deputy director. Meanwhile, Fisherman's Wharf Forward — a long-term seismic and flood resilience stakeholder engagement process — kicks off April 30 at Pier 1.

A Century of Alioto's: Commission Backs Naming Wharf Plaza After Iconic Restaurant

The commission unanimously endorsed a proposal to name the newly constructed plaza at the former Alioto's restaurant site "Alioto's Plaza" — the first application of a naming and commemoration policy the commission adopted minutes earlier on its consent calendar.

The basics: Alioto's Fish was founded in 1925 by Sicilian immigrant Nunzio Alioto, who arrived in San Francisco in 1897 at age 10. The stall at Fisherman's Wharf grew into one of the city's most iconic seafood restaurants. The naming nomination was submitted by Mark Johnson, a Monterey boat owner on J4, with 67 signatures from wharf operators.

Why it matters: This is the Port's first test of Resolution 26-19, the naming policy adopted via the consent calendar earlier in the meeting. The resolution establishes a formal framework — including a 90-day waiting period for due diligence, signage design, and community outreach — for all future naming requests on Port property. By naming the plaza after the restaurant rather than an individual, the commission built in a layer of protection against the kind of historical controversies that have complicated naming decisions elsewhere in the city.

Where things stand: Public testimony was uniformly supportive. Johnson called it a "no brainer." Gina von Esmarch, Nunzio Alioto's great-granddaughter, expressed pride in her family's contributions alongside other Italian-American immigrants. Greg Champeau, a 30-year North Beach resident, called in to voice support.

Commissioner Willie Adams struck an emotional note, calling the site "holy ground."

"dreams of people that came from Italy not knowing what was going on, but to come and go for it — courage," Adams said.

Vice Chair Stephen Engblom challenged the commission to think beyond the name itself, asking how the plaza could become "a platform for education around the fishing industry" and "a lightning rod for investment."

The other side: Commissioner Ken McNeely raised a practical concern about due diligence, noting the city's history of naming controversies. President Gail Gilman responded that because the naming honors the restaurant — not an individual person — it offers inherent protection, and urged expansive family and community outreach for the eventual unveiling.

Decisions: The proposal was informational; no formal vote was taken. The 90-day review period under Resolution 26-19 now begins, with an action vote expected in July 2026.

Longtime Vendor Tells Commission He Was Arrested, Displaced Near Ballpark

Reverend Charles Graves, a 70-year San Francisco native who has sold hats near the ballpark since it opened, delivered an emotional plea during general public comment, describing a pattern of displacement from his permitted spot on Pier 48.

Graves said he has been arrested on trademark charges that were later dismissed by a judge, had police photograph his Venmo and Cash App, and described his wife being confronted and frightened by security. He identified a Port security person he said brought police to his stand, causing customers to avoid him, and said he was told the Giants wanted him removed.

President Gail Gilman apologized and directed staff to meet with Reverend Graves immediately to review the permitting process — a rare instance of the commission ordering an on-the-spot intervention during public comment.

Minor Items

• Resolution 26-19 adopted: The consent calendar, including the new naming and commemoration policy for Port facilities, passed unanimously (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0).

• Climate Week events: The Port will participate in Dynamic SF Climate Week, including a student waterfront resilience exhibit with Cal Poly and UC Berkeley, the Port Powerhouse West conference co-hosted with Port of Seattle, and the SF Climate Week Youth Summit.

• Volunteer cleanup: Port parks, including Crane Cove, will host volunteer cleanup events aligned with Mayor Lurie's One City Day on July 11, attended by First Lady Becca Prada.

• Accounts write-off: Two accounts recommended for write-off under Resolution 22-11.

• Contract open house: The Port's 9th annual contract open house at Pier 27 will promote local business enterprise and local worker opportunities.

• New business flags: Commissioners raised items for future follow-up, including fireworks show community notification, water taxi signage visibility, crab season scheduling, and public restroom availability near Fisherman's Wharf.