Agenda
Agenda full text
AGENDA
1. Meeting Ground Rules: (9:00 – 9:05am)
2. Approval of Draft Meeting Notes: FWAC November 5, 2025 meeting (9:05 – 9:10am)
3. Announcements and Project Updates (9:10 – 9:50am)
a. Fisherman's Wharf Forward (FWF) construction schedule and project updates –
Ming Yeung and Chris Horiuchi, FWF Port Project Team
b. Pier 45 Ice machine replacement update – Simon Betsalel, Port Engineering
c. Fisherman’s Wharf CBD (FWCBD) updates – FWCBD representatives; Amy Cohen,
Port Real Estate
d. Real estate updates – Harold George, Port Real Estate
e. Maritime updates – Dominic Moreno, Port Maritime
4. SFMTA - Embarcadero Connectivity Plan: Presentation from the SFMTA on a long range plan to improve transportation along the Embarcadero and keep people moving throughout the Port’s future waterfront resilience work – Casey Leedom, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) (9:50 – 10:20am)
5. Agenda Setting for Future Meetings (10:20 – 10:30am)
Minutes
Minutes full text
Meeting Minutes
FWAC Attendees
- Darlene Plumtree (Museums), Co-Chair
- Sarah Bates (Fishers), Co-Chair
- Jenn Brokaw (Swimmers)
- Joe Burgard (Excursion Operations)
- Mariann Costello (Restaurants)
- Taryn Hoppe (Retail)
- Dante Serafini (Restaurants)
- Sina von Reitzenstein (Pier 39)
FWAC Members Absent
- John Barnett (Crab Boat Owners)
- Mike LaRocca (Fish Processing)
- Frank Rescino (Charter Fishing)
- Mike Rescino (Charter Fishing)
- Tyler Foster (Excursion Operations)
Announcements and Introductions
- FWAC Ground Rules for Meetings
- Approval of Draft Nov 5, 2025, Meeting Notes
- Announcements and Project Updates
- Fisherman's Wharf Forward (FWF) construction schedule and project updates - Ming Yeung and Chris Horiuchi, FWF Port Project Team
- Pier 45 ice machine replacement update - Simon Betsalel, Port Engineering
- Fisherman’s Wharf CBD (FWCBD) updates – FWCBD representatives; Amy Cohen, Port Real Estate
- Real Estate updates – Don Kavanaugh, Port Real Estate
- Maritime updates – Dominic Moreno, Port Maritime
- SFMTA Embarcadero Connectivity Plan: Presentation from the SFMTA on a long-range plan to improve transportation along the Embarcadero and keep people moving throughout the Port’s future waterfront resilience work – Casey Leedom, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)
- Agenda Setting for Future Meetings
Item #1 - FWAC Ground Rules for Meetings
A Port representative provided ground rules and other information to start the meeting. This included the introduction of a rule that limits speakers to two minutes for comments or to ask questions. This is consistent with Port Commission policy for public comment. A Port representative explained that due to technical issues this meeting will not be recorded but will be documented by a notetaker.
Item #2 - Approval of Draft Meeting Notes
November 5, 2025, Meeting Notes were accepted by the FWAC without comment.
Item #3 – Quick Project Updates
1. Fisherman’s Wharf Forward (FWF)
Progress continues on the Fisherman's Wharf Forward project, including the Smokehouse demo and the Alioto's demolition and new plaza construction. The Smokehouse overlook is targeted for completion by the end of February 2026, while the Alioto's demo and subsequent plaza construction are expected to be completed by February and June 2026, respectively.
The contractor for the Smokehouse area began work in October 2025, with hazmat abatement, demolition, and in-water work completed by the end of November. The public overlook construction began in December 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2026. For the Alioto's site, demolition began in October 2025, with hazmat abatement and interior work completed by the end of December. The Alioto’s signs were removed in early January 2026 and are being stored at a secure Port facility. Heavy demolition is targeted for completion by the end of February 2026. The Port Commission approved a separate contract for the new plaza construction in December, and plaza construction is anticipated to start after demolition, with a target completion of Summer 2026. During demolition, the walkway along the lagoon by Alioto's and the northern half of Taylor Street will be closed, while the subsequent plaza construction will primarily stage from the former Alioto's sidewalk, keeping Taylor Street mostly open. Beginning in February 2026, boats moored on the Alioto’s side of the inner lagoon will need to be relocated for a materials barge. The Wharfinger is working with vessel owners on this transition.
Other near-term efforts for the plaza, including lighting, an interactive railing, and a signage refresh project called Harbor Walk, are expected to be completed along with the plaza in Summer 2026. Community engagement for the Harbor Walk signage is anticipated to take place throughout 2026, likely starting with the March 2026 FWAC meeting.
An update was provided that the consultant kickoff for the longer-term Taylor Street project took place in late 2025. Concept design and community engagement will take place in 2026. To sign up for upcoming community engagement events, interested parties can sign up for the project’s mailing list on the Port’s website.
Next steps for the overall project include:
- Early 2026: Completion of Alioto demolition, start of plaza construction, completion of the Smokehouse demolition, outreach for Harbor Walk signage, and initial outreach for the longer-term Taylor Street project.
- Summer 2026: Completion of plaza construction; outreach, feasibility assessments, and concept design for the longer-term Taylor Street project.
- 2027: Detailed design for the longer-term Taylor Street project.
Questions/Comments:
- Question: Pedestrians seem confused about street closures on Taylor and Jefferson streets during construction. Is it possible to add more signage indication that businesses along this stretch are open during construction?
- Answer: The Port will add more signage at Taylor Street and invites FWAC members to reach out with suggestions on any additional locations as to where additional clarifying signage would be useful.
- Question: Can the construction fence along Al Scoma Way be moved a couple feet to the east to provide fishermen reliable parking during crab season?
- Answer: The Smokehouse construction team has been instructed to move their fence over as far east as possible, right up against their equipment. However, no parking is allowed on Al Scoma Way, even with the fence being moved. The Port requests community support in complying with this rule.
- Question: Any updates on Tarantino’s?
- Answer: Real estate updates will be provided later in the meeting.
2. Pier 45 Ice Machine Replacement
An update was provided on replacing the ice machine at Pier 45. Contractors assessed potential demo on a December 2025 site visit. The Port has decided to collaborate with PUC using a JOC (job order contract) to undertake the project. The Port aims to install the new ice machine and complete demolition work during a down season so as not to interrupt fishing. Further updates on this project will be provided as they become available.
3. Fisherman’s Wharf Community Business District (FWCBD) Update
In response to consistent public feedback, the FWCBD is launching a weekly pop-up fish market to supplement off-the-boat crab sales. In December, the FWCBD prototyped a market stall in the Crab Wheel Plaza. Based on December’s trial market, the FWCBD has chosen to site the longer-term pilot market on Al Scoma Way, in an area adjacent to Wharf J9. The market will run every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the next three months. The market will sell a variety of fresh local catches. In several weeks, the market will also have the capacity to cook crab, thereby providing customers with an option to cook crabs that are purchased off the boat.
Questions/Comments:
- Question: Congestion will be a real issue, as Al Scoma Way is very narrow and effectively functions as a one-way drive lane. Adding retail customers to existing traffic will present significant access challenges for fishers, emergency vehicles, and delivery trucks. How will traffic congestion impacts be addressed?
- Answer: FWCBD will have at minimum two staff ambassadors on-site at the market and on Jefferson Street for pedestrian and traffic management, ensuring people know where to go. The ambassadors will promote the fish market (and Scoma’s) while also directing vehicle traffic away and suggesting nearby parking options. Only Scoma’s and fishers’ vehicle traffic will be allowed down Al Scoma Way. The FWCBD can follow up with a meeting to clarify the market’s traffic management plan. Additionally, “no parking” signs along Al Scoma Way will be installed and outreach to fishers will be conducted to minimize traffic.
- Question: What about parking impacts?
- Answer: Al Scoma Way is not meant to have parking at all, as parked cars make the road so narrow that the walkway fails to meet ADA compliance. The Port’s Planning and Environment, Maritime, and Real Estate departments are working on a parking plan for the Wharf to address parking needs - including the loss of three parking spaces next to Castagnola’s – and reintroduce the walkway on Al Scoma Way. The Port recently put up signs on Al Scoma Way stating that parking was not allowed, but they were vandalized. It will be a community-wide effort to address parking needs and maintain access to Scoma’s.
- Question: This is the first the FWAC is hearing about this location for the market, and requests that they learn earlier so that they can respond accordingly.
- Answer: Real Estate will follow up individually with members after the meeting.
4. Real Estate Update
Updates were provided regarding the lease status of several properties within Fisherman’s Wharf. 490 Jefferson is very close to a lease for the ground floor property. The Port is in the final stages of formalizing the lease and anticipates that it will be signed soon. 340 Jefferson has a lease out for signature; the Port expects that it will be signed within a week. At 300 Jefferson, Everett & Jones is moving forward with tenant improvement work. For the Tarantino’s property, the Port has been studying what it would take to reopen the rollup area and ground floor. Several material issues have been discovered, including the need for a new fire panel system, hazmat remediation, and other updates to meet the City’s Department of Public Health (DPH) requirements. The Port is finalizing the total costs associated with addressing these issues, but notes that they are getting high and a decision will be made soon as to whether to proceed with the improvements or not. Nick’s restaurant has closed, and that property is now vacant, and could be a good space to re-tenant as a bookend to the Grotto and new Taylor Street Plaza. For the Grotto, the Port hopes to fill the café area (Venetian Room) with a quick serve style restaurant to reactivate the space. It was noted that this space also will need to be improved to meet DPH requirements, though these improvements are not anticipated to be as expensive as those associated with Tarantino’s. Port staff plan to give another leasing update at the February Port Commission meeting.
Questions/Comments:
- Question: Will 490 Jefferson be a restaurant?
- Answer: No, it will be a tour business that includes bicycle rentals.
5. Maritime Update
There was an announcement that 2025 was San Francisco’s second biggest year of cruise activity, with 340,000 passengers and 90 calls. The Port aspires to continue growing cruise activity, as it supports economic growth locally within Fisherman’s Wharf and the city at large. An update was provided that the clean-up of a damaged underground pipeline behind Capurro’s at Wharf J10 is almost done. The remaining work includes pouring new asphalt and finishing the parking lot. The Hyde Street Fuel Dock will resume operations soon. Hyde Street Harbor had a handful of vessels sink due to dereliction and a confluence of weather events. The sunken boat and two at-risk vessels are targeted to be removed in January. The Port aims to be proactive about removing derelict vessels before they sink to avoid environmental impacts to the Bay. It was noted that the January 2026 King Tides reached +7 feet, resulting in flooding further down the Embarcadero. A new Harbor Master and Wharfinger (Becca Gross), was introduced.
Item #4 – SFMTA Embarcadero Connectivity Plan:
Representatives from the SFMTA and the Port’s Waterfront Resilience Program presented an introduction to the SFMTA’s Embarcadero Connectivity Plan, a long-range waterfront transportation plan to keep the Embarcadero moving and thriving for generations to come.
The Port of San Francisco, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is currently working on the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study, a plan to defend a portion of the city's waterfront against sea level rise, stormwater flooding and earthquakes. This study is expected to be completed in summer 2026. The resilience work that results from this study will involve significant impacts to the Embarcadero, as the Port and USACE work to elevate portions of the city’s waterfront to protect San Francisco from sea level rise and seismic hazards. It was noted that in Fisherman’s Wharf, resilience work in the USACE Flood Study mainly focuses on flood-proofing existing structures rather than raising shoreline elevations.
Together, the Port and SFMTA play an important role in protecting vital transportation infrastructure that is used by hundreds of thousands of people each week. This includes the Ferry Building and terminals, the F Market & Wharves Streetcar, BART and Muni’s Embarcadero Station, as well as local streets, bikeways and promenades. As such, the primary goals of the Embarcadero Connectivity Plan are to:
- Address potential transportation impacts from the Port's future work along the Embarcadero
- Propose strategic improvements to the transportation network, and
- Envision a future waterfront transportation network that will benefit generations to come
At this stage of the project, the SFMTA is reaching out to community groups such as the FWAC to introduce the project, answer questions, and hear about transportation priorities and experiences along the Embarcadero. More information about the Plan is available on the SFMTA’s website, as well as surveys where Port tenants and the general public can share ideas about transportation challenges and opportunities.
Questions/Comments:
- Comment: During peak season, the F line reaches capacity and people can’t get on. Dedicated Embarcadero service or multiple cars on the F could improve transit capacity.
- Comment: One of the big challenges for the Wharf is transportation timing – for example, there is very limited late-night service for employees, though stores stay open as late as 11:00 PM during the summer. Tenants find it difficult to hire and retain employees because evening transportation is so difficult, and some employers end up paying for their employees to take rideshares at night because there are no transit options. More late-night and early-morning transit service to Fisherman’s Wharf would be great.
- Question: Can the SFMTA elaborate on any potential ideas in play, i.e., extending the Central Subway to Fisherman’s Wharf?
- Answer: The plan is at an early stage right now, and everything can be on the table. SFMTA is looking for input and trying to understand service gaps, safety concerns, etc.
- Question: Are cable cars part of the plan? The Hyde Street cable car turnaround hasn’t been updated in decades, and it would be nice to see it modernized.
- Answer: Yes, cable cars are part of SFMTA’s jurisdiction.
- Comment: A comment was shared expressing desire for ferry transportation directly from the East Bay to Pier 43.
- Question: Is an extension of the Central Subway part of the Embarcadero Plan?
- Answer: District 3 Supervisor Sauter has asked the SFMTA to come to the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Transportation Committee to present on Muni’s current Central Subway service and discuss future plans with them. The SFMTA will follow up with the FWAC about key findings from that hearing, but no specifics that can be shared right now regarding future planning for the subway. It was noted that other planning efforts, such as Connect SF, did look at the overall transportation network in the city, which would include the Central Subway. It was noted that the SFMTA’s goal is to provide redundant elements in the transportation system to increase resiliency. For instance, how can we improve access and be redundant with the current F line with the Central Subway service?
Item #6 - Agenda Setting for Future Meetings
The next FWAC meeting will be held on March 4, 2026.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM.