The San Francisco Port Commission held a regular meeting on September 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes from August 11, 2026, and adopted resolutions to amend a sole-source grant to the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefits District (CBD) and to recommend formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD) for the Pier 70 Historic Core. The commission also received informational presentations on the Executive Director’s report, the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park redesign, and discussed new business items including a blue economy initiative update and a future drone policy.
Executive Director Michael Martin provided a comprehensive report covering multiple topics:
Commissioner comments following the report expressed enthusiasm for Alioto’s Plaza, the drone show potential, the blue economy initiative, and the monthly walkabouts. Commissioner Adams inquired about the status of the “blue-green waterway” initiative; Director Martin noted 14 applications for leasing incentives and promised an update in the fall.
The commission considered a resolution (2645) to increase the port’s sole-source grant to the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefits District (CBD) by $1,953,902 and extend the term by 12 months, bringing the total grant to $8,322,138 over 4.5 years. The grant funds ambassador services, beautification, marketing, and events. Scott Lansettle (Deputy Director, Real Estate) and Amy Cohn (Real Estate) presented, noting:
Wyatt Donnelly-Landolt (Assistant Deputy Director of Development) and James Mattson (Orton Development, Inc.) presented two resolutions (2646 and 2647) to recommend formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD) for the Pier 70 Historic Core and to amend the master lease to facilitate a restructured services-only CFD. The revised structure eliminates the original facilities tax (approx. $2.73/sq ft) and adopts a single services tax ($0.80/sq ft) to fund ongoing maintenance at Crane Cove Park and other public spaces. The change reduces the overall tax burden on tenants while addressing a budget shortfall for Crane Cove Park. The CFD will raise funds through a special tax on the leasehold, with the port as the sole voter. The process requires Board of Supervisors approval over about six months. Commissioners expressed support, noting the project’s success in rehabilitating eight former shipyard buildings (338,000 sq ft of PDR, office, and retail) and its financial outperformance relative to 2014 projections. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously.
Nico Wright (Port Planning) and Joana Goodwin (Recreation and Parks Department) presented the concept design for the renovation of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park, a 5-acre public space at the waterfront gateway. Key elements include:
Hey, the meeting is called to order. Um, roll call, Jenica. This is a meeting of the San Francisco Port Commission for September fifteenth, twenty twenty-six. Roll call, President Stephen Englum. Here. Commissioner Willie Adams. Here. Commissioner Vanessa Hardigan? Here. And Commissioner Rich Lee. Here. Item two is approval of minutes for the August eleventh, twenty twenty-six Port Commission meeting. Commissioners, is there a motion to approve the minutes? I second. All in favor. Okay, motion passes unanimously. The minutes of August eleventh, twenty twenty-six meeting are adopted. Item three is public comment on executive session. For callers on the line, please style star three if you wish to make public comment. So move. SF Gov TV. San Francisco Government Television. SF Gov TV. San Francisco Government Television. No, it's not the other one. SF Gov TV. San Francisco Government Television. SF Gov TV. San Francisco government television. And we don't know. All in favor? I opposed. Okay, motion passes unanimously. We are now in open session. Thank you. Item six is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unseated ancestral homeland of the Ramatoshalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Rama Tischaloni have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. Each member of the public may speak for up to three minutes per agenda item unless a shorter time is set by the port commission. Comments must relate to the current agenda item. Public comments will be taken in person first, then remotely. If watching on SFGup TV, note the broadcast delay. To avoid missing your turn, dial in when your item is announced. Mute your device and listen from your telephone. Item 8 is public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Is there any public comment in the room for items not listed on the agenda? All right. Is there any public comment on the phone? No callers. Thank you.