SF Public Works Commission Greenlights $135M in Infrastructure Contracts

The San Francisco Public Works Commission moved swiftly through a packed agenda July 23, unanimously approving four major construction contracts — for a pioneering electrified ferry landing, a historic library renovation, a transit corridor overhaul, and a cost-ballooning parking headquarters rebuild — totaling more than $135 million in capital investment that will reshape city infrastructure through 2029.

• $33M contract awarded for Mission Bay's electrified ferry landing, one of the nation's first, with completion targeted for early 2028
• SFMTA Parking Enforcement HQ rebuild jumps 62% to $56.5M as Mission Creek soil conditions force a steel-and-pile redesign of the 1930s Art Deco building
• Chinatown's 105-year-old Carnegie Library wins a $28.2M renovation contract, part of a $51.4M project that will close the branch for two years
• Geary Boulevard surface upgrades awarded at $17.6M, below the engineer's estimate, bringing transit bulb-outs and safer crossings to the 38 Geary corridor
• Behavioral health facility contract delayed: 1660 Mission Health Recovery Center decision pushed to Sept. 10

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Electrified Ferry Service Takes Shape at Mission Bay

The commission awarded a $33,018,200 contract to the McGuire and Hester / Power Engineering Construction Company joint venture for the final phase of the Mission Bay Ferry Landing and Agua Vista Park project — a decade-long partnership between Public Works and the Port of San Francisco.

Why it matters: The project will deliver one of the country's first electrified passenger ferry services, funded in part by an EPA Clean Ports grant. The ferry landing at Terry Francois Boulevard and 16th Street — across from Chase Center in District 6 — includes a fixed pier, gangway, guide and fender piles, emergency firefighting water infrastructure, electrification systems for vessel charging, and renovations to the adjacent Agua Vista Park.

Where things stand: Four bids came in, but costs exceeded earlier projections. The engineer's estimate was $26 million and the project budget was $30.2 million; the winning bid landed at $33 million due to escalation. No LBE-certified prime contractors bid, though a 20% LBE subcontractor requirement applies. The project draws from seven private, local, state, and federal funding sources.

"Mission Bay Ferry Landing, Treasure Island, and Downtown Ferry Terminal will be electrified stations partially funded through an EPA Clean Ports grant. So this is one of the first electrified passenger ferry services in the country," said Port Project Manager Erica Peterson, who outlined how the project aligns with the Bay Ferries 2050 regional vision.

What's next: Construction will span 690 days with strict in-water work windows — June 1 through Nov. 30 each year — imposed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect spawning fish. Completion is expected in Q1 2028.

Decisions: Passed unanimously (For: 3, Against: 0, Absent: 1 — Vice Chair Eleanor Blume absent).

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Parking HQ Rebuild Balloons to $56.5M Over Mission Creek Challenges

A 62% cost increase didn't slow the commission's approval of a contract modification for the SFMTA Parking Enforcement Headquarters project at 1215th Street at Harrison in District 9. The CM/GC contract with Clark Construction — with core subcontractors Rosen Electric, Southland Industries, and Condon Johnson — jumped from $34.8 million to $56.5 million, with the construction timeline extending from 1,216 days to 1,628 days.

The basics: The project involves demolishing and rebuilding the interior of a 1930s industrial Art Deco building — formerly the Animal Care and Control clinic before a property swap with MTA — while preserving its historic facade, terrazzo staircase, green tiles, wood handrails, and wood doors.

Why it matters: The cost escalation stems directly from what lies beneath the site. Project Manager Michael Rossetto explained that Mission Creek's poor soils made a conventional concrete structure seismically unsafe: "One of our big challenges on the project is that Mission Creek runs underneath part of the site. A heavy concrete structure building is not seismically safe with the poor soil conditions. So with the Bureau of Engineering, we've gone through a lot of analysis and come up with a steel structure with piles being driven into this poor soil to provide for a seismically improved facility."

Further complicating the schedule is coordination with PUC's sewer box replacement project on the former Treat Avenue, which runs adjacent to the site.

Commissioner Paul Woolford praised the project team: "Having worked with Mr. Rossetto previously, I know that we're in excellent hands and this will be a well-served project."

What's next: Notice to proceed is anticipated in October 2026, with a 24-month construction duration plus 90 days to final completion, targeting early 2029.

Decisions: Passed unanimously (For: 3, Against: 0, Absent: 1 — Vice Chair Blume absent).

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Century-Old Chinatown Library Gets $28M Facelift — and a Two-Year Closure

The commission awarded a $28,157,000 contract to SJ Amoroso Construction for renovating the Chinatown Branch Library, a 1921 Carnegie Library in District 3. The total project budget is $51.4 million, funded by the general fund, state grants, and library preservation funds.

Why it matters: The 790-day renovation will seismically retrofit the historic Grand Reading Room, remove non-historic trusses and a mezzanine, restore windows, build new stairs connecting all levels — including a new rooftop community space — and add a children's story time area. The project is owned by San Francisco Public Library, designed and managed by Public Works, and targets LEED Gold certification.

Where things stand: The seismic work requires an innovative approach to preserve the building's character. Project Manager Masoud Vafai described the technique: "This approach will install steel plates between the brick walls and the plaster so that it would meet the structural needs to retrofit the historic room without compromising the historic stand of it."

The building is bounded on three sides with limited staging space, and Muni service on the adjacent street constrains crane operations. Public Works is coordinating with two other major Chinatown projects as well as Supervisor Sauter's office, the Mayor's office, and MTA on timing and community impact.

When Chair Fady Zoubi asked whether the library would remain open during construction, Vafai confirmed the closure: "There is a space that has been identified, it's about two blocks away that would serve as the library in the meantime for the entire duration of two years."

Commissioner Woolford noted the project's long arc: "I have seen this project from my stint on the Arts Commission. It's been a long time coming. It's gonna be a really exciting development for Chinatown and another wonderful civic space for San Francisco."

The LBE subcontracting goal of 20% was slightly exceeded by the contractor. Notice to proceed is anticipated in September 2026, with substantial completion in August 2028 and final completion in October 2028.

Decisions: Passed unanimously (For: 3, Against: 0, Absent: 1 — Vice Chair Blume absent).

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Geary Boulevard Upgrade Comes in Under Estimate

The commission awarded a $17.59 million contract to Escobel Grading and Paving for surface improvements along Geary Boulevard from Sanyon Street to 32nd Avenue — one of the city's busiest transit corridors, home to the 38 Geary bus line and heavy pedestrian traffic.

Why it matters: The project includes pavement renovation, roadway repaving, transit and pedestrian bulb-outs, expanded medians, accessible curb ramps, upgraded traffic signals, landscaping, and sewer replacement. The surface upgrades follow SFPUC's underground utility project currently in construction, coordinating to reduce community disruption and rework.

Where things stand: Seven competitive bids came in against a $19.3 million engineer's estimate. Project Manager Ellen Lai explained the bidding outcome: "The lowest bidder was non-responsive for not meeting LBE requirements. The next lowest responsive bidder, Escobel Grading and Paving, came in at $17.59 million, which is lower than the engineer's estimate and meets all LBE goals."

The project has multiple funding sponsors, including SFMTA for paving, Public Works, and PUC for sewer and water infrastructure. Construction will span 450 days.

Decisions: Passed unanimously (For: 3, Against: 0, Absent: 1 — Vice Chair Blume absent).

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved with nine contract awards, two contract modifications, and draft June 18 minutes — no items pulled for individual discussion.
• 1660 Mission Health Recovery and Connection Center contract continued to Sept. 10 at the department's request, delaying a behavioral health facility decision.
• Items 2, 3, 11, and 12 — including announcements, the Director's Report, new commissioner business, and continued public comment — were all continued to the Sept. 10 meeting due to time constraints.
• Closed session held on two existing litigation matters (Kavanagh and Moore) and the Public Works Director's performance evaluation; the commission voted unanimously not to disclose discussions.
• No public comment was received on any agenda item throughout the meeting.