San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - July 14, 2026
San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - July 14, 2026
The San Francisco Port Commission held a regular meeting on July 14, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:30 AM. The meeting included the election of new officers, adoption of the Blue Economy Initiative, approval of revised terms for a hotel development, and an informational update on Fisherman's Wharf waterside improvements. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (June 23, 2026): The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Executive Session Comment: Tim Bacon, Vice President of Development at Brookfield Properties, reported progress on the Pier 70 project and expressed optimism about next steps.
- Blue Economy Initiative (Item 10A): Multiple speakers voiced strong support, including: Pamela Wellner (Amplify Eco) who praised the accountable framework; Jameson Buffmeyer (Bowie Fish) who called it critical for startups; John Hurwitz (Sound Maritime Solutions) who highlighted barriers to water access; Mike Blakely (Bay Area Ocean Cluster) who offered partnership; Alison Beach (World Ocean Council) who noted alignment with successful models; Tal McGowan (Bowie Fish) who emphasized sustainable fishing; and Ellen Jonk (Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee) who offered committee support. Remote callers Martha Belangefield and Jim Hancock also supported the initiative.
- Hotel Development (Item 11A): Norm Langel (Teatro Zanzani) expressed excitement about returning; Beaver Bauer (costume designer) highlighted the vitality of the venue; Ellen Jonk (neighbor) welcomed the project; Cynthia Gomez (Unite Here Local 2) supported the union jobs commitment; and Joe Torrell (former Seattle Zanzani supporter) endorsed the project.
- Fisherman's Wharf Waterside Improvements (Item 12A): Alan Jonk (Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee) praised port staff support for tenants; Taryn Hoppe (local business owner) expressed gratitude for visible progress.
Discussion Items
- Election of Commission Officers: Stephen Englum was nominated and elected President (vote: unanimous). Ken McNeely was nominated and elected Vice President (vote: unanimous). Both expressed gratitude.
- Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Mike Martin congratulated new officers, introduced Commissioner Rich Lee (background as small business owner), thanked outgoing commissioners (Gail Gilman, Stephen Lee), and reported on July 4th celebrations, National Association of the Deaf conference, One City Day, Ferry Building 128th birthday, and expansion of the Big Art Loop. He also noted his formal swearing-in earlier that day. Commissioners gave supportive remarks.
- Commission President’s Comments on Inclusion: President Englum addressed recent events surrounding the Giants Pride Night, stating the Port’s commitment to equity. He directed staff to return with recommendations on strengthening inclusion across the waterfront in partnership with tenants, labor, community organizations, and the Giants.
- Blue Economy Initiative (Resolution 2638): Boris Delapine presented the proposal to launch Phase One, including a three-tier leasing incentive program (25% off land leases, 50% off land-plus-water leases, and tenant improvement incentives up to $50k), delegated authority to the executive director up to $250k, and six-month and one-year reporting requirements. Commissioner Adams asked about outreach to longshore unions; staff acknowledged this was initial but would follow up. The resolution passed unanimously.
- Hotel Development at Seawall Lots 323-324 (Resolution 2639): Staff and developer Darius Anderson presented a fourth amendment to the LDDA, revised lease terms (flat rent for first seven years, percentage-of-revenue thereafter, limited deferral provisions), and a hotel development incentive agreement using up to 89% of transit occupancy tax for 20 years (estimated $38 million present value). The project includes a 164-room hotel, dinner theater (Teatro Zanzani), and 14,000 sq ft public open space. Commissioner Adams noted challenges but expressed support. The resolution passed unanimously.
- Fisherman’s Wharf Waterside Improvements (Informational): Dominic Moreno presented current and planned projects: Pier 45 apron repair ($35 million, 2027-2030), ice machine replacement, Pier 47 timber pile replacement (95 piles by fall 2026), inner lagoon lighting and ladder replacements, fuel dock revival (spring 2027), dredging (inner lagoon and fairway in 2027), and operational improvements (trash capture, security). Discussion included dredging challenges (Commissioner McNeely suggested exploring public-private partnerships or combined procurement with Rec Park) and potential for blue economy connections (President Englum proposed linking fishing industry needs with entrepreneurs). No action required.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2638 launching Phase One of the Port's Blue Economy Initiative.
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2639 authorizing the fourth amendment to the LDDA, revised lease terms, and a hotel development incentive agreement for the TZK Broadway hotel project.
- Election of Stephen Englum as Commission President and Ken McNeely as Vice President.
- Staff directed to return with recommendations on strengthening waterfront inclusion and belonging, following discussions about the Giants and LGBTQ+ community.
- New business noted by President Englum: upcoming reports on equity recommendations and dredging opportunities, including federal lobbying and partnerships.
- Adjournment in memory of Nolan Xavier Wells.
Meeting Transcript
Twenty twenty six roll call. Vice President Stephen Englum. Here. Commissioner Willie Adams. Present. Commissioner Rich Lee. Here. Commissioner Ken McNeely. Here. Item two is approval of minutes for the June twenty third, twenty twenty six port commission meeting. Commission Commissioners, is there a motion to approve the minutes? So moved. Second. All in favor? Opposed. Motion passes unanimously. The meetings of the June twenty-third, twenty twenty-six meeting are adopted. Item three is public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment in the room for executive session? Yes, sir. Uh good afternoon, Commissioners, executive director. My name is Tim Bacon. I'm Vice President of Development with Brookfield Properties, and I oversee our Pure Seventy project. We've been doing a lot of work with port staff to find the right strategic and meaningful path forward for Pier 70, and I think we are uh finding that sweet spot and are very excited to start to have those next steps and conversations with all of you. So look forward to being back with you all very soon. Thank you. Thanks for being here. Is there any public comment on the phone? For callers on the line, please style star three to make public comment and audio prompts will signal when your line is open. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person. Please style star three if you wish to make public comment. Okay, Commissioners, may I have a motion to go into closed session? Motion to go into closed session. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion passes unanimously. We are now in closed session. SF Gov TV. San Francisco Government Television. San Francisco government television. Second. All in favor. I suppose passes unanimously. We are now an open session. Item six is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Rama Tishalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.
openpublica.com