The following newsletter is reprinted with permission from the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association (BCNA). The association's newsletter, The Record, and the neighborhood association itself are not related to the publication The Barbary Coast News. We serve the same community and offer assistance to each other, but are not associated.

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BIKES NOT CARS—The Neighbors to Preserve the Waterfront’s “Vision Plan” would recommend construction of a Bicycle Emporium on Seawall Lot 351, instead of luxury condos and a large underground parking garage. A similar facility in Chicago’s Millennium Park has garnered world-wide praise for its innovation.

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Notice something different? We have a new name!

We are making this change to make sure everyone knows that the web newspaper known as The Barbary Coast News (www.thebarbarycoastnews.com) is not the official news outlet for our neighborhood association.

In a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CALSTRS) spokesman Ricardo Duran said, "Social issues are a factor in all our investments.”

Is that right?

The coalition known as “Neighbors to Preserve the Waterfront” has some new partners: Namely the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association, plus half a dozen other significant San Francisco neighborhood and environmental associations.

Water taxi service for San Francisco Bay—it's coming.

On October 12 the three-member Port Commission approved a five-year landing rights agreement with San Francisco Water Taxi LLC (Bay Quackers), to provide for-hire water taxi service to berthing locations at Pier 1-1/2 and Hyde Street Harbor.

NEW EXPLORATORIUM—In a festive ground-breaking, the design for the new Exploratorium at Piers 15 - 17 was unveiled.


Among gala happenings on the waterfront in October were the Port's ceremony to inaugurate shoreside power at Pier 27 on October 6 and the innovative ground-breaking October 19 for the new shoreside home of The Exploratorium at Piers 15-17.

FUTURE AMERICA’S CUP VENUE—This rendering from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill shows a possible design for the race headquarters at Piers 30 and 32.


San Francisco may end up with the 34th America's Cup in 2013 by default.

San Francisco officials have been unable to identify any other cities or ports that are competing to host the next America’s Cup, despite an expensive and high-profile campaign to attract the sailing regatta to the Bay Area.

Mayor Gavin Newsom speaks to a crowd of well-wishers at the ground-breaking of new Bocce Ball courts south of Justin Herman Plaza. The privately-financed courts will be built by union labor (with a majority of workers San Francisco residents) in less than two weeks and provide a venue for both casual and professional Bocce Ball events. They are both handicapped-accessible and championship caliber.

Anyone who might be in favor of projects like 8 Washington because “The Port needs money,” might want to read the fine print of the Term Sheet recently approved between the Port of San Francisco and the developer of the controversial project, San Francisco Waterfront Partners, LLC (SWP).

Under construction since the end of June, the project on Davis between Jackson and Washington Streets will feature new stone/concrete pavers, landscaping, lighting, pedestrian-friendly gathering and seating areas, and a new water feature to enhance this principal entry to The Gateway Apartments and Town Homes.

Patching Port property is not the most glamorous part of the Port of San Francisco's mission and responsibilities. However, it is essential to preserving the remaining distinctive old finger piers that characterized the historic waterfront for so many years.

With little fanfare, but tons of customers, the new light version of Quince restaurant has opened in the heart of the Barbary Coast. COTOGNA, Michael and Lindsay Tusk’s casual offshoot to Quince, is a stylish 62-seat modern trattoria, that is already a huge success. You can’t get a reservation earlier than 9:30 pm for nearly a month! The place features a seasonal menu of rustic Italian dishes, with the most expensive item at $25. The Italian rotisserie and grill features spit-roasting hogs and game birds, plus pizzas from the wood-burning oven, along with house-made pastas. Cotogna is open for dinner Monday-Saturday, and will launch lunch (Monday-Friday) on December 1. And about the name: Cotogna means “Quince” in Italian. 490 Pacific Ave. 415-775-8508. http://www.cotognasf.com/

FERRY PARK “STRUCTURES”—SF Rec and Parks had plans to permanently keep these two electrical boxes to make it easier to have more “Peter Pan”-type events. But local forces appear to have succeeded in their future removal.


In a classic “good news/bad news” scenario, the remodeling of Ferry Park (aka Sue Bierman Park) will commence about the time you are reading this newsletter. “The contractor has been selected and work should begin between November 19 and 22,” said Rick Thall, SF Recreation and Parks Project Manager.

It turns out the huge tent and presentation of “Peter Pan” at Ferry Park did more than just annoy the southern residents of the Barbary Coast. It also put a major crimp in the timing for the big remodeling of the Park.

The massively disruptive sewer replacement protect that was planned for Drumm, Washington and the Embarc­adero, has been shelved.

The major all-affordable housing project at Broadway and Sansome Street won unanimous approval of the City Planning Commission at its July 22nd hearing. There was no opposition to this second Lower Broadway building plan of the non-profit Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC).

The Port's popular plan to plunge ahead on its own (no private developer) to give San Francisco's historic waterfront a stellar new cruise terminal has been moving along about as expected. In July Port staff submitted a fiscal feasibility report for the bold project to the Board of Supervisors, which the Board will consider in September.

It was just a few years ago that Pier 27 was generally thought of merely as one-third of a Port package for develop­ment—Piers 27-31. Pier 27 was not usually considered as an unusually long berth that could accommodate ever larger cruise ships.

The efforts being made by an interesting coalition of citizens and groups to embark on an alternative planning study of the Northeast Embarcadero is a step in the right direction for the Barbary Coast.

It would be laughable if it weren't serious: a three-member Port Commission. For many weeks now. Mayor Gavin Newsom still had not filled two vacant seats on the powerful five-member Commission, as this is being written.

These days, you can tell a lot about the relative success of new restaurants by trying to get a reservation at one of them via www.opentable.com.

"My name is Bill Sauro and I am president of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association, representing the 5,000 residents and businesses of the Northeast Waterfront. Our association is not “anti-development.” We support appropriate mixed-use development in our area.

A half dozen community groups filed a lawsuit August 18 to reverse the City of San Francisco’s endorsement of the Planning Department’s Northeast Embarcadero Study without first conducting an environmental review as required by the California Environ­mental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Northeast Embarcadero Study is now complete. The study articulates public realm improvements and urban design guidelines for the west side of The Embarcadero between Market and North Point Streets. The Planning Department invites you to an open house.

When the Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to reject the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the controversial 555 Washington condo tower next to the Transamerica Pyramid, did that portend a similar fate for the “other” Washington Street project, the one at No. 8?

All dues-paying members of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association are invited to attend our Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 6 pm aboard the Hornblower Ferry Boat Santa Rosa ship docked at Pier 3.

Indignant question. . .

How did it come to be that San Franciscans' use of the city's public parks has become fair game for private enterprise? Let's look at this outrageous development from a neighborhood standpoint. One of San Francisco's most endearing aspects is that it is a city of neighborhoods. The Barbary Coast neighborhood has been one of the luckiest places to live and to work and to play. But for years it has become subject to developers' ambitions. And now City government, through its politically appointed City Commissions, is allowing private business to take over scarce public open space, and has become partners with private profit seekers. Residents are suitably outraged.

About the time you read this newsletter, one of most anticipated new places in the Barbary Coast should be open: Comstock Saloon. Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin of Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, partnering with Bill Russell-Shapiro and the Absinthe team, are creating turn-of-the-century saloon fare, an assortment of snacks, and a menu of classic cocktails, in a setting that preserves the saloon’s historic design elements and “pays tribute to San Francisco’s Barbary Coast,” according to the new owners. Comstock Saloon occupies an historic space that has served as a watering hole for San Franciscans since 1907. The last establishment at this location was the San Francisco Brewing Co. www.comstocksaloon.com. 155 Columbus Ave. at Pacific.

It has been a year since the BCNA Newsletter reported on the Public Utilities Commission's sewer repair and replacement program which will affect our community. It has the unwieldy name North Shore Force Main Sewer Improve­ment Program, and is in progress in the BCNA area.

The Pier 27 Shoreside Power Project, which has been in the works for several years, is now under way. When completed, Shoreside Power will allow ships berthed at Pier 27 to plug into the City's grid and thereby reduce air emissions—to zero—while at berth.

CRUISE SHIP TRAFFIC JAM—The Port of SF was kept very busy in May with six big cruise ships arriving in eight days.


The Port of San Francisco had another one of those big cruise ship weeks in May. It was a bit like old times, with impressive ships sailing in and tying up at various piers, one after another brightening the city's northeast waterfront.

The Annual Meeting of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 6 pm aboard the Hornblower Ferryboat Santa Rosa at Pier 3. At this meeting, we will be electing our Board of Directors and voting on a revision of our bylaws.

The idea of a water taxi service for San Francisco has been floating around for many years. Interest had heightened to the extent last year that Port staff organized a meeting of interested parties, and discussions led to the Port's deciding to order a feasibility study.

After some recession-related delays, contractors are scheduled to start the remodeling of the Safeway on Jackson Street in the ground floor of the Gate­way by about the time this newsletter is distributed—Feb. 22.

The current membership of the powerful five-member Port Commission gives the impression of a relaxed and harmonious group. There is no dissension when voting on Port issues—a picture of perfect unanimity. Port business is conducted congenially.

Work is moving forward on the interior of the former Rubicon. It will soon blossom anew as celebrity chef and Food Network personality Tyler Florence’s Wayfare Tavern. Florence has been researching old San Francisco restaurant menus, noting that the city's culinary scene was "French, bohemian and Wild West, all at the same time." He plans to make the food the food "the definition of San Francisco regional cuisine," with entrees in the $20-$27 range. Plans also include a billiard room on the second floor alongside a second dining area. Look for an opening within weeks. 558 Sacramento St.

Recently, members of the Board of Directors of the BCNA heard a presentation from Equity Office Properties Trust, the company that manages vendors at the Ferry Building Marketplace. They were looking for our support in their plan to allow weekday attended parking in the area behind and to the east of the market building. This area is filled with farmer’s market vendors on Saturdays, but during the week it is a mish-mash of delivery trucks and vendor vehicles.

Musto Build-Out—A 4th floor addition has been reduced in scale from previous­­ly proposed projects and has been set back from the existing perimeter walls in order to preserve the massing of the original building, according to the Project Manager.

Embarcadero Study Will Affect
Possible 8 Washington Project

The SF Planning Department will hold its Winter community work­shop in the ongoing Northeast Embar­­cadero Study on Wednesday, February 24th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

BIG QUEEN—Remember the exciting arrival of Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 in 2007? Here is Cunard's newest mega cruise ship, the Queen Victoria, which was in The City January 27. The one-day stay at our port was Queen Victoria's only visit to a U.S. port on her 2010 world voyage.

It is helpful for waterfront watchers that there are two worthy and peaceful projects to counterbalance the two proposals that are controversial and contentious.

Improvements slated for old Pier 35 make an interesting sidebar. On January 12 the Port Commission authorized the advertising of competitive bids for a $199,786 construction contract for the Pier 33 Sidewalk Improvement Project to facilitate access and egress to the Pier 35 terminal.

CREDO:
The Barbary Coast will soon find another dining option in our area—CREDO—due to open in the Financial District after the first of the year. Owner Clint Reilly is opening what is being called an “urban trattoria” in a building on Pine Street that originally was an old Chinese bank. There will be 79 seats, with a private dining room below with room for 50, and an upstairs bar with eight seats. Chef at the restaurant will be Mario Maggi, who hails from Florence but trained in Milan, and has worked in 31 restaurants around the world.

POSSIBLE NEW APARTMENTS—This rendering shows the height and mass of one of three possible configurations of the Broadway-Sansome Apartments.

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Foreign Trade Zones once were an important part of international shipping at the Port of San Francisco, which received U.S. Commerce Department authority to establish, operate and maintain Foreign Trade Zone No. 3 in San Francisco March 10, 1948.

NEW HOME—A rendering of the Exploratorium which is moving to Piers 15-17.

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PROPOSED CONDO DEVELOPMENT—This rendering, from the San Francisco Waterfront Partners website, shows the positioning of their proposed condominium project at 8 Washington. A majority of Barbary Coast residents who have spoken out object to the height and mass of the buildings placed almost directly on the west sidewalk of the Embarcadero, plus the loss of open recreational space.

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SOON TO BE IMPROVED—Pier 35, the Port’s current makeshift Cruise Terminal, would receive some long-neglected repairs, while bond funds would be used to reconstruct Pier 27, which would be the home of a new Cruise Terminal.

A total of $1,812,724 has been allocated by the City’s Capital Planning Committee for improvements at Sue Bierman Park, formerly known as Ferry Park, at the Embarcadero between Clay and Washington Streets.

Among the goals for the remodeling:

First, there was a bit of “good news” in the Planning Department’s preliminary recommendations for what to do with the Northeast Embarcadero and the Port’s Seawall Lots. That was the fact that the planners finally agreed that views from the Embarcadero of Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower and other City landmarks should be protected with some height restrictions on buildings at 8 Washington. But that was about the extent of the “good” portion.

Members, residents, and businesses alike are all invited to the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association’s first Holiday Party. “Anyone in the Barbary Coast who is interested in keeping our neighborhood the best is invited,” said BCNA Board President William Sauro.

Port Moving Forward To Fund New Cruise Terminal

By June A. Osterberg
The Port's own project to convert Pier 27 to a new Cruise Terminal is the largest and one of the most significant projects the Port has undertaken with its own funding since the renovation of Pier 80 in the late 1980s, according to a Port staff statement.

Despite our study and discussion of the By-Laws relating to qualification for Board Membership, we missed the legal process we must undergo to amend our By-Laws to increase the Board to 13 members.

The stakes were raised ever higher February 24th in the long-running dispute over the 8 Washington Street project. In that stormy meeting the Port Commission did three things:

It looks as if Pier 31 will be the waterfront's next old finger pier to go on the chopping block. Pier 31's superstructure is in an advanced state of disrepair, and there is no money in the Port's coffers to fix it.

The historic Musto Building at 717 Battery Street, which was featured in the BCNA News' Summer 2008 issue, has been sold again.

March was a gratifying month at the Port and its very good dry dock because of the Port's rewarding connection with Carnival Cruise Lines and with BAE Systems at Pier 70.

Dear Commissioners:

As you know, many of my constituents along the City’s northern waterfront have called for an update to the Port’s Waterfront Plan. Given the current discourse regarding the development proposal at Seawall Lot 351, I believe that the time is right for this effort.

Although the upcoming annual meeting of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association is for members only, residents or businesses can easily join us free at the June 4 party by clicking HERE. Once you register, you can RSVP and attend.

Although the start date has been delayed, Safeway Store Manager Alfredo Lewis says his store at 145 Jackson Street will be undergoing some significant remodeling during 2009.

After hours of public testimony, the Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 on March 17 to approve an appeal of the proposed “super-green” 110 Embarcadero project. At issue is whether a former union hall on the development site could be considered an historic resource and should be protected, and whether the proposed height of the building is too high.

Starting this summer, major portions of the Embarcadero area will be disrupted as a large sewer repair and replacement project is undertaken by The City’s Public Utilities Commission.

The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association has announced a new category of membership in their organization that represents about 5,000 residents and businesses in the Northeast Waterfront.

In February, the BCNA polled all members who have email addresses and asked them to participate in an online survey regarding the proposed condo development at 8 Washington Street. The results follow:

The fact that our District 3 Supervisor, David Chiu, intervened with the Port of San Francisco to demand that development schemes in our area be analyzed in a larger context through The City’s Planning Department, shows two important things for citizens of the Barbary Coast: First, that we have an intelligent, respected Supervisor representing us. And second, that the Port of San Francisco needs to think more long-term in its feverish attempt to bring in money. The costs to future generations of San Francisco are simply too dear.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the 555 Washington Street project was released in late March and is scheduled for hearing by the Planning Commission on May 7. The proposal is for a 390-foot residential tower to be built close to the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. The ultimate height would be 425 feet, including a 35-foot mechanical penthouse.

Dear BCNA Members,

Since the 1980s, when Senator Dianne Feinstein was our Mayor, there have been four attempts to change the Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club (GGT&SC) at Washington & Drumm Streets by adding condominiums and taking away a portion of the Club.

The City’s first elected Chinese-American representative of District 3 and newly-elected President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, spoke at the monthly Board meeting of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association on Thursday, Jan. 29. Nearly 100 Barbary Coasters attended.

Dear Barbary Coast Neighborhood Assn Member,

Don't forget…we're going to have the new President of the Board of Supervisors, David Chiu, at our Board meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 6 p.m. The event will be held onboard the Hornblower Santa Rosa Ferryboat, docked at Pier 3. (Enter through the door rear nearest the Bay.) Refreshments and snacks will be served. President Chiu will be making some remarks then answering questions for those in attendance. Feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors.

We hope you can attend.

A plan for a proposed round condo tower next to the Transamerica Pyramid has been revised.
According to Andrew Segal, President of developer Liberty Hill, Redwood Park would be expanded by approximately 22% and transferred to the City as a public park.

The Port's efforts to fulfill its commitment to create a new world-class cruise terminal at Pier 27 continue quietly. "The purpose of the Cruise Terminal Project is to preserve and enhance the maritime tradition of San Francisco's waterfront," according to John Doll, Port project manager.

At the urging of the Port of San Francisco, the City’s Municipal Transportation Agency recently installed 11 new parking meters on the West side of Davis Street between Clay and Washington. The new metered spaces will provide more parking for the neighborhood and especially the Farmers’ Markets at the Ferry Building. They were installed within 30 days of MTA approval.

Ernestine Weiss, a long-time resident of the Gateway Apartments, was honored on Jan. 12, with a plaque at the corner of Clay and Drumm Streets for her many years of service in helping to establish Ferry Park. Pictured with her are Theodore W. Brown, Architect and Plaque Donor (left), and Lawrence B. Martin, (right) President of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Commission.

Regardless of your political persuasion, it is exciting to have America’s first African-American President in the White House. But talk about a tough time to become the leader of the free world—the challenges facing President Obama are Herculean.

The City’s first elected Chinese-American representative of District 3 and newly-elected President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, will be the special guest of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association at its monthly Board meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 6 pm aboard Hornblower’s Santa Rosa Ferryboat at Pier 3. The public is welcome to attend.

Ignoring more than 30 public testimony appeals not to approve a height increase for a controversial building at 110 Embarcadero, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted 4-3 on Jan. 15 to approve the rezoning of the property to allow a super-"green" building to be constructed 46% higher than allowed under the City's General Plan and Waterfront Use Plan.

NEW NAME
The name Golden Gateway has been shortened to the trendier "The Gateway." The apartment buildings of the massive 1960s redevelopment project have new generic names such as Vista East* and Vista West. Farewell, Whaleship and Richard Henry Dana. Goodbye, Buckelew and Macondray and William Heath Davis. A million-dollar remodeling of the lobbies has them resembling hotel lobbies. Perhaps an ad in a 7 x 7 Magazine will explain to the apprehensive tenants: "The elegant new lobbies and timeless views from our hi-rise balcony apartments and townhomes, and our exceptional swim and tennis club* still define luxury for-lease living..." Stay tuned.

* For irony see “New Design for 8 Washington Project Unveiled”

Depending upon when you read this, our 2008 election for national, state and local offices will be upon us. We’re pleased that the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association was a part of the process on September 10 when we held our Special Forum for Candidates running for San Francisco Supervisor in our District 3 at KGO-TV.

Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) seem to be contagious. They are sprouting up all over San Francisco. One of the newest, the Greater Downtown CBD proposes to cover an area bounded by Washington, Kearny, and Market Streets. An associated South of Market CBD could cover a square area bounded by Market, the Embarcadero, Bryant and Second Streets.

Regardless of who is elected (or was elected if you are reading this after November 4), the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association’s District 3 Supervisors Candidates’ Forum held Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at KGO-TV was the kind of event that demonstrates the importance of a vibrant community organization.

The San Francisco Municipal Railway’s Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP) has made a number of recommendations regarding MUNI service in our neighborhood.

Several projects proposed by developers for the northeast waterfront have generated heated controversy. Probably none has had more passionate opposition than the proposal called "8 Washington Street."

Pier 1 is not the first number of our waterfront's historic piers. The fraction 1/2 is.

The Star Princess loads passengers at Pier 35 after a retrofitting at the new drydock facility at Pier 70—the largest floating repair drydock facility in North America.





The Star Princess, a mega cruise ship, lived up to her name when she sailed into the Bay in late September. On her first visit she went right into drydock—now better than old times—at Pier 70.

The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association is one of the city's younger organizations, but now it is the proud possessor of Development Review Guidelines—a must for desirable neighborhoods.

It was a lively evening of pertinent questions, thoughtful answers and spirited debate at the first Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association's District 3 Supervisors Candidates' Forum held Wednesday, September 10 at KGO-TV.



All eight major candidates attended the standing-room-only event.

The forum was divided into two sections. Moderator Carolyn Tyler of KGO-TV News asked common questions to all eight candidates, then the evening was opened up to questions from the audience and the Board of Directors of the BCNA.

You're invited. And you're invited to ask questions.

You're invited to attend and ask questions from eight candidates, one of whom will replace Aaron Peskin, the present District 3 Supervisor (who is also President of the Board of Supervisors).

KGO-TV has announced that Carolyn Tyler, veteran news anchor and correspondant for Channel 7 with a specialty in City Hall politics, will be the moderator of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association's first Supervisor's Election Forum set for Sept. 10, 2008 at 7 pm at KGO-TV, 900 Front Street. The public is welcome to attend.Those candidates stating they will be particpating are: Lynn Jefferson, David Chiu, Tony Gantner, Claudine Cheng, Mike DeNunzio, Denise McCarthy, Joe Alioto Jr. and Wilma Pang.

The 555 Washington Street project is sometimes called the Transamerica Project because of the developer's proposal to place a 38-story cylindrical tower near the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. If built as proposed the project would provide 240 condominiums and 230 underground parking spaces and would expand Redwood Park and then give it to the city.

Let’s hope the next two years are as interesting as our first two! The Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association is just over two years old and as its new President, I must say we have accomplished quite a lot in a short period of time, especially since we are one of the “newest kids on the block” as far as neighborhood associations are concerned.

KGO-TV, 900 Front Street, will be the location of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association’s first political event. The BCNA has invited all the candidates for the District 3 San Francisco Supervisor’s election in November to a forum to be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 from 7-9 pm.

The latest proposal to renovate and enlarge the 1907 Musto Building at 717 Battery Street was presented to Board members of BCNA by owner Bill Poland July 3.

The San Francisco Port Commission approved unanimously, without discussion, the issuance of an RFP (Request for Proposals) for the development of Seawall Lot 351 at its meeting July 9.

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake. I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years... There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life."

At the recent for-fun-only night aboard Hornblower's Santa Rosa, the BCNA board used the occasion to try to find out what people thought and what they wanted of their organization. Below are some of the responses. Some responses had multiple entries—the restaurant question, as an example. Kokkari and Piperade appeared to be winners.

Barbary Coast, November 14, 2007— Reaching out and touching several someones, we had our first taste of Barbary Coast partying on Wednesday night, November 14.