As predicted, the Port Commission has chosen to advance all three finalists to the last round of competition for the Seawall Lot 337 commission. Boston Properties Inc., Farallon Capital Management LLC and Cherokee Investment Partners LP are contending with one another for the commission— Boston Properties Inc. is currently the lead choice, having submitted a proposal that calls for 400,000 square feet of offices, 1,100 apartments, 67,000 square feet of retail space, artists' studio space and five acres of open space. Expect a final decision in August.
The San Francisco Port Commission will make its second-to-final draft today for the competition over the development rights to Seawall Lot 337. Boston Properties Inc., Farallon Capital Management LLC and Cherokee Investment Partners LP are contending with one another for the commission— Boston Properties Inc. (in partnership with the Ferry Building) sent the San Francisco Giants back to the bench during the first pass in early April with a proposal that called for 400,000 square feet of offices, 1,100 apartments, 67,000 square feet of retail space, artists' studio space and five acres of open space. Several days ago, the Port Commission issued a memo suggesting that all three groups be permitted to compete in the last round. Final decisions will be made in August after each group submits detailed project plans; construction is planned for 2011.
What is "feel good" planning, you ask? A post in today's Cyburbia defines it as "Projects with poor cost-benefit ratios that are destined to fail or at least underwhelm, but which are promoted and implemented because they bring a feeling of hope to the surrounding community, and possibly because their proponents are in denial about the inevitable outcome." New, subsidized housing in blighted "urban prairie" areas (ahem) and pocket parks in rough neighborhoods are cited as examples of such (sometimes) well-intentioned, yet ultimately futile initiatives. Cyburbian Dan has a few theories, one of which fingers the non-planners who often push for such projects (cough—Daly—cough). After poring over the sometimes excruciatingly vague proposals for SWL 337, we've gotta ask: Is Seawall Lot 337 an exercise in "feel good" planning? If so, not, or maybe— why? Let's all hold hands and talk this one out, people. Group hug!
· Feelgood planning: why does it happen? [Cyburbia]
In yesterday's Fun With Democracy, we begged the question: "Will your voice make a difference at Seawall Lot 337?" About 50% said "Hell no! The city will do as it pleases!" while the remaining 50% were divided between optimism and ambivalence. Sounds about right. [Curbed SF]
A new recycling plant may be on the way to San Francisco. After years of letting construction debris sit on Pier 94, the brilliant minds of the Port of San Francisco has finally decided to use the site for . . . concrete rubble recycling. Such imagination. Seems to be a sort of a tail-wags-the-dog situation, as the decision to build the facility resulted from the desire to remove the 120,000 tons of waste that would otherwise be too expensive to recycle. This might actually be a small boon to local construction companies, who will no longer have to import the concrete SF uses under roads, paths, and ramps. And with Seawall 337 just up the street, that pile of rubble will be gone in no time— then the port can guiltlessly turn the plant into über-hip industrial lofts, which is probably the underlying plan here anyway.
· Port to Tackle Pile of Construction Waste [SF Examiner]
Exercise your rights each and every Monday with Fun with Democracy, Curbed SF's nod to the U.S. Constitution. Have a nominee? Send in your ballot, and let the numbers decide.
About 125 people showed up at Jelly's Cafe on Saturday morning for a six-plus hour meeting on the future of Seawall Lot 337. Though the proposal submitted by the San Francisco Giants is heavily favored to win the commission to re-develop the site, the city is allegedly listening carefully to the concerns of local residents. Energy consumption, noise, environmental preservation— these and other concerns were brought to light by the locals as the four development teams pitched their plans to the crowd. (All reports indicate that pastries and coffee were, in fact, free.) City heavies from the Planning Economic Development Departments were on hand to prove just how serious the city is about hearing everyone out. Pending review by a city-appointed committee, the final call on the proposal competition won't likely be announced before September. So, fellow Americans: let's take it to the polls.
· Residents chime in on plans for waterfront development [SF Gate]
Shock and Awe! Curbed readers have predicted that the Giants will win the bid for Seawall Lot 337. And while the Giants win is pretty much a nudge-nudge, wink-wink given all around, we were slightly surprised to see such a close margin between second and third place (especially following some of the vitriol we've found in the comment boxes!). The best of the worst:
· Guest: "I'm thinking Sidney Opera House. St. Louis Arch. Balbao Guggenheim. What a spectacular site. I'm seeing Cleveland. These all just look so uninspired."
· Guest: "Never trust Cordish to deliver anything but a suburban mall and an ESPNZone. Maybe a Hooters if we're lucky."
· Guest: Coloring book, or architectural rendering? You decide.
We do have sites in LA and NYC, you know— Curbed National travels to lands far away, taking a very visual look at architecture and design developments along the way.
2) NoHo's Ark (get it?) is a new charter school proposed for LA. The sliver of a building is sure to produce a generation's worth of LEED-hating architects. [Curbed LA]
"Why vote?" you ask. "The Giants have it wrapped up anyway." Somebody must win the silver and bronze medals, we say. Onward with the democracy! Hard-hitting analysis welcomed below, as always.
Most esteemed critics: Over the course of the day, we'll be breaking the SWL 337 proposals down for you one by one. Vote to follow? Natch. Last up is Boston Properties, INC; Wilson Meany Sullivan, LLC; Kenwood Investments LLC. Speak on it now, or forever hold your peace.
This proposal is, by far, the most vague of the lot. Conceptually speaking, there is a strong focus on the arts; attending rhetoric, present and accounted for. Now how about some nuts and bolts?
Team: Boston Properties, INC; Wilson Meany Sullivan, LLC; Kenwood Investments LLC
Topography: 5-plus acres of open space including outdoor performance spaces, art installations, walking paths, and wildlife habitats. "Gallery walk" planned along third street.
Buildings: New office, residential, retail, and arts-specific spaces; reuse of historical buildings as artists' studios, etc. 1,100 new rentals (20% affordable), stacked flat in the interest of density. Two 11-story office towers proposed with possibility for more. Open public space; individual streets considered in hierarchy of plans.
Most esteemed critics: Over the course of the day, we'll be breaking the SWL 337 proposals down for you one by one. Vote to follow? How couldn't we? Here we have Federal Development, LLC; Lehman Brothers; Construction Management and Development, Inc. Prognosis?
Leaving a lot to be desired on the visual front no? They're hitting the environmental angle hard though, in true San Francisco style.
Team: Federal Development, LLC; Lehman Brothers; Construction Management and Development, Inc.
Topography: 5 to 7 acres public space. Potential green public walkway around Pier 48 and creation of green space in the 34,000 square foot “valley” in the middle of the two Pier 48 fingers. Extension of the Bay Trail along the waterfront and extension of the San Francisco’s Blue Greenway further south into Mission Bay. Historic renovation of Pier 48. Water access for kayaks, outdoor space for Cirque de Soleil or Teatro Zinzanni, a modern bandshell for outdoor concerts.
Environment: LEED Platinum design standards, clean energy created with solar panels atop buildings. Restoration of wildlife through creation of saltwater features near the piers, planting of native plants throughout the Seawall lot. Nature walk planned throughout site. "Explore the possibility of altering the portion of Terry Francois Boulevard between Piers 48 and 50 to create a new cove from which wildlife can be viewed from vantage points on the open space above the garage. A pedestrian/vehicular ramp would cross over the cove so that pedestrians and vehicles can move north to south along Terry Francois Boulevard."
Most esteemed critics: Over the course of the day, we'll be breaking the SWL 337 proposals down for you one by one. Vote to follow? You bet. Democracy Now, people. Let's begin with the Build Inc., Cherokee Investment Partner, and UrbanGreen Devco LLC— quite an impressive team on board here, including golden child Stanley Saitowitz (take the jump for the entire all-star arch lineup).
Team: Build Inc., Cherokee Investment Partner, and UrbanGreen Devco LLC.
Topography: Seawall Lot 337 sits at a point of colliding grids; axes extend to subdivide rectilinear parcel into series of diverse, angled parcels. Small lanes, byways, and passages allow for ease of pedestrian use and maximizing building and water access, natural light.
Buildings: Variously sized parcels yield diversity in building sizes, types Attention to silhouette; tall, differentiated towers at center of site, surrounded by spiral of different buildings at varied heights. 50,000 square feet of contemporary art space, 70,000 square feet of artist studios, workshops, etc. Covered open market between two piers; enclosed entrance to civic space with restos/retail. Focus on "for sale" residential condos, with contingency plans for land swap, fractional interest, etc.
The Port of San Francisco has released a full reveal of the proposed designs for China Basin Seawall Lot 337. We've parsed out the best from the following developer's submissions; you'll find the deets listed below each photo in the gallery above. Additional information on each plan (because there's lots of it, believe us) may be found on the Port of San Francisco's website, where those interested in reading 75-page proposals may download them as such. Now go at it! You first; we'll weigh in later.
1) Build Inc.; Cherokee Investment Partners; UrbanGreen Devco, LLC 2) Federal Development, LLC; Lehman Brothers; Construction Management and Development, Inc. 3) Kenwood Investments, LLC; Boston Properties Inc.; Wilson Meany Sullivan, LLC 4) San Francisco Giants; The Cordish Company; Farallon Capital Management, LLC
At least three teams are expected to submit proposals today for the redevelopment of Seawall Lot 337, the 16-acre plot near Giants Stadium currently used as parking (and darling of this past year's Curbed SWL 337 Planning Challenge). The Giants have made the strongest push for the plot, drawing up a hott marketing campaign which it leaked early to the Chron. Their preliminary plan, pictured above, included 875 homes in a 300-foot high rise, 8,000 square feet of office and parking space, a 5,000-seat music hall, and an entertainment district featuring bowling, nightclubs, and such. Public parks and a restored pier are also included in the plan, which rings in at over $1 billion.
At least two other developers— Boston Properties, let by Treasure Island developer Darius Anderson, and Build Inc./ Urban Green Development— are entering plans. Anderson, whose Kenwood Investments firm owns Pier 39, allows for 1,700 housing of office units, and includes gallery space. Build/ Urban Green— who aren't afraid of the Giants, by the way, as they'll have you know— has proposed a "green technology business incubator," whatever that is, offices, and 1,600 homes. Artist studios, and exhibition center (a.k.a. gallery) and requisite wholesale market/ parks are also on tap. Let the games begin.
· Giants among bidders to develop S.F. Port land [SF Gate]
· Curbed SF SWL 337 Planning Challenge [Curbed SF]
[Image by Chris Foyd, courtesy of the San Francisco Giants]
If you only knew how tempted we were to do a "Seawall Lot 337 Proposals: Early Reveal" headline here. Hell, maybe we're on to something here?
We stumbled upon this unidentified shipping container collection-cum-trailer park wild card on local blog Treough. A nice dose of unconditional love to the archifanatic who tells us where, exactly, this shantytown lives.
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What is "feel good" planning, you ask? A post in today's 
A new recycling plant may be on the way to San Francisco. After years of letting construction debris sit on Pier 94, the brilliant minds of the Port of San Francisco has finally decided to use the site for . . . concrete rubble recycling. Such imagination. Seems to be a sort of a tail-wags-the-dog situation, as the decision to build the facility resulted from the desire to remove the 120,000 tons of waste that would otherwise be too expensive to recycle. This might actually be a small boon to local construction companies, who will no longer have to import the concrete SF uses under roads, paths, and ramps. And with Seawall 337 just up the street, that pile of rubble will be gone in no time— then the port can guiltlessly turn the plant into über-hip industrial lofts, which is probably the underlying plan here anyway. 
About 125 people showed up at Jelly's Cafe on Saturday morning for a six-plus hour meeting on the future of Seawall Lot 337. Though the proposal submitted by the San Francisco Giants is heavily favored to win the commission to re-develop the site, the city is allegedly listening carefully to the concerns of local residents. Energy consumption, noise, environmental preservation— these and other concerns were brought to light by the locals as the four development teams pitched their plans to the crowd. (All reports indicate that pastries and coffee were, in fact, free.) City heavies from the Planning Economic Development Departments were on hand to prove just how serious the city is about hearing everyone out. Pending review by a city-appointed committee, the final call on the proposal competition won't likely be announced before September. So, fellow Americans: let's take it to the polls.
Shock and Awe! Curbed readers have predicted that the Giants will win the bid for Seawall Lot 337. And while the Giants win is pretty much a nudge-nudge, wink-wink given all around, we were slightly surprised to see such a close margin between second and third place (especially following some of the vitriol we've found in the comment boxes!). The best of the worst:
