The $100 million rebuild of the old manufacturing buildings at Pier 70 that has been in the works for years could finally kick off this August. Final approvals must be provided by the San Francisco Port Commission and Board of Supervisors, and both approvals could come as soon as June. Pier 70 is currently a dilapidated but historic 65-acre site that has in its past housed the largest shipbuilding operation on the West Coast, dating back to the 1850's. There is still a ship repair business on site, but most of the former manufacturing businesses have closed. The pier is set to get a complete rebuild, led by the upgrade of the six unused buildings along 20th Street south of Mission Bay.
Plans for the six buildings call for them to become space for offices, artists and manufacturers, created by Orton Development. Orton has experience with redeveloping major industrial sites, having previously headed a restoration project on the Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond. The rehabbed buildings would house a center for craftsmen, artists, startups and designers, a gym, and restaurants. The second, larger portion of the plans for the pier center around a $242 million project by developer Forest City to create 1,000 apartments as well as more office space. Forest City's plans will go before the planning commission next week and could take another two years to break ground.
· San Francisco Nears $100 Million Rehab of Crumbling Pier 70 Buildings [SF Business Times]
· On the Waterfront: Visions of Adaptive Reuse [Curbed SF]
· Pier 70 Project Finally Finds a Taker [Curbed SF]
· Pier 70 Project Set For Presentation [SFGate]