Airport Commission Advances $420M Westfield Tower as Sanctuary Dispute Simmers

San Francisco International Airport's Westfield redevelopment picked up speed Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. The Airport Commission added $24.5M to an employee garage contract and authorized solicitations for a new office tower with a $420M design-build budget, all on 4-0 votes. During public comment, an advocate argued that an SFO contract violates the city's Sanctuary City Ordinance, and the airport director disputed that SFO plays any role in immigration enforcement.

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• $420M Westfield Office Tower design-build solicitation and a roughly $24M delivery-partner RFP authorized, 4-0
• $24.5M added to Westfield employee garage contract, raising the cap to $219.6M
• Identity Project demands termination of contract 50387, and the director says SFO lacks authority over federal agents
• 13-bank pool approved to back airport bonds days before the current pool expires Oct. 31
• Annual rules update limits paging and requires tenants to enroll in food donation
• Artisan shop and sunglasses store bids launched, with a $100,000 minimum annual offer for the small-business space

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Westfield Build-Out Clears Two Big Hurdles

Why it matters: The commission put more than $440M in Westfield-area spending on track in about seven minutes. The money covers a garage now under construction and a high-rise meant to consolidate airport staff. Both are funded through the Ascent Program Phase 1.5.

Where things stand: On the garage, commissioners approved Phase C8 to Contract 11917.66 with the Austin Webcor joint venture for Westfield Parking Garage 675. The amount is $24,532,100.

"This approval will increase the contract capacity by $24.5 million for a new contract amount not to exceed $219.6 million," said Kristen Allen, Program Manager, Westfield Area Redevelopment.

Phase C8 adds trade package sets 13 through 15:

• Mechanical and plumbing
• Special systems
• Doors, frames and hardware
• Masonry and metal panels

Allen said bids came in within 5% of the engineer's estimate. She put the contract forecast at $225M and said it remains within budget. Completion is targeted for August 2027.

The tower: Allen presented Items 3 and 4 together. The commission voted on them separately.

• Delivery partner (Contract 11985.41): a five-year contract worth about $24M to oversee construction management.
• Design-build (Contract 11985.66): the larger contract. It also covers improvements to the Westfield AirTrain station.

"The DB contract duration is anticipated to be 1,825 calendar days with a budget of $420 million," Allen said.

The basics: In design-build, a single team handles both design and construction under one contract.

Process and local hiring: Both solicitations will apply minimum qualifications, use selection panels and shortlist up to four proposers. Award recommendations will come back to the commission later. Local Business Enterprise (LBE) participation requirements are:

• Garage: 33% for design and 14% for construction
• Tower delivery partner: 20%
• Tower design-build: 20% for design and 15% for construction

The other side: No commissioner raised questions on either item. Sean O'Leary submitted a written objection to the design-build item, but its substance was not stated.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: All three items passed (For: 4, Buell, Leal, Almanza, Jones; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Tong). Large contractors and design firms now have a $420M opportunity to pursue. The LBE targets set aside a share of the work for local firms. Airport employees stand to gain a consolidated workplace and new parking.

What's next: The tower solicitations fall within a restricted communications period. That limits contact with commissioners while bidding is open. Contract awards will return for commission approval.

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Sanctuary Challenge Tests SFO's Limits

Why it matters: This was the only real friction of the meeting. It raises a pointed question: whether airport spending can run afoul of San Francisco's sanctuary law when federal agencies control customs and security.

Where things stand: Edward Hasbrook, of the Identity Project (papersplease.org), said Contract 50387 supplies facial recognition cameras used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

"Your contract 50387 violates the Sanctuary City Ordinance," said Hasbrook.

He made three requests:

• Put termination of the contract on a future agenda
• Review SFO's collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Post signs warning travelers that airline information is shared with ICE

The other side: The Airport Director responded at length.

"SFO is a department of the City and County of San Francisco and fully supports San Francisco's sanctuary city status," said the Airport Director.

The director made several points in response:

• SFO consulted the City Attorney.
• The airport does not share passenger information for immigration enforcement.
• SFO and the City Attorney sent CBP an Oct. 6 letter about detention conditions.
• The airport plans signage in its terminals.
• SFO lacks authority to regulate DHS activities.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was taken. Commission President Buell called for the airport to post its response publicly.

"I think that that information should be posted and made public because I think there's a lot of misunderstanding around it," said Buell.

Commission Vice President Leal thanked the City Attorney for advising the airport and asked for further updates. Immigrant-rights advocates did not get a termination vote. The commission did signal support for more transparency.

What's next: Watch for the promised terminal signage and for City Attorney updates. The sanctuary question could return at a future meeting.

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Bank Pool Renewed Before Deadline

Why it matters: SFO's variable rate demand bonds and commercial paper need bank credit support. Without a pool, future financings could stall.

"Our current pool expires at the end of this month, October 31st," said Denise Payton, Acting Managing Director of Finance.

Where things stand: The airport's request for qualifications, RFQ 50433, drew 13 submissions. Payton said all 13 meet the minimum credit ratings under the airport's Master Trust Indenture and debt policy. The pool runs two years, with a two-year extension option. Staff will return for approval of each individual contract. LBE requirements do not apply.

A commissioner asked whether a bank that later loses its qualifications automatically drops out of the pool. Payton said qualifications are checked for every deal: "we do vet out their qualifications. And if that's the case, then we wouldn't be using that bank."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The pool was approved, and the airport director was authorized to negotiate contracts as needed (For: 4; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Tong). The 13 institutions can now compete for letters of credit and liquidity work on future deals.

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Rules Update Targets Paging and Food Waste

Why it matters: The annual update sets new operating requirements for airlines and tenants. One change, mandatory enrollment in food donation, is meant to comply with state law.

Where things stand: Rob Forster, Acting Managing Director for Safety, Security, and Airside Services, presented amendments to Sections 1, 3, 5 and 8 of the Airport Rules and Regulations. The previous update was adopted Oct. 21, 2025.

Under the new rules, paging will be zoned to the relevant gates and "limited to a maximum of one announcement per event per applicable location," Forster said. Airlines can apply for an exemption. Other changes:

• Procedures for electronic information displays
• Remote aircraft parking requests through AMS Web, up to 30 days ahead
• Passenger boarding bridges returned to their home position with auto-park
• A ban on food, liquids and debris inside boarding bridges, with an in-flight catering exemption
• New definitions of reusable serviceware
• Required tenant enrollment in the food donation program

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No public comment or commissioner questions were offered at the hearing. The amendments were adopted (For: 4; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Tong). Travelers should hear fewer gate announcements. Concessionaires take on new food donation obligations.

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Two Retail Spaces Head to Bid

Where things stand: Cheryl Brennan, Director of Revenue Development and Management, presented two retail leases.

The first is a 1,041-square-foot store for locally made goods in Boarding Area A of the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal, past security. It is set aside for certified Tier 1 small businesses. The term is seven years plus two one-year options.

"We've set the minimum acceptable financial offer at $100,000 annually," said Brennan.

The second is a 310-square-foot sunglasses space in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Boarding Area B. The prior operator, RAKH Inc., terminated its agreement early, in May 2026, citing poor finances. This lease carries the same seven-year-plus-options term.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: One commissioner said they looked forward to the shops the process will bring. Both bids were approved (For: 4; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Tong). Local makers gain a rare shot at international-terminal foot traffic.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar: Items 8 through 14 passed 4-0, despite a written objection to the entire calendar from Sean O'Leary.
• Minutes: The Sept. 15, 2026, minutes were approved 4-0.
• Restricted communications: The director reminded commissioners that Items 3 through 7 and consent Item 10 are under contracting communication limits.
• Written correspondence: General comments arrived from Margarita Aguirre, Harry Ansell, R. Michael Flynn, Sean O'Leary, Eugenie Chan, Susan Charles and others.

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Looking Ahead

The commission's next regular meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.