Port, Rec and Parks Assume Responsibility for 18 Mission Bay Parks

BY JESSICA ZIMMER

Last month, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) and Port of San Francisco assumed maintenance and operation responsibilities for 18 Mission Bay parks. The more than 24 acres of open space was previously managed by Parklab Open Space Management (POSM), which took over from MJM Management Group. RPD held a community celebration at the Mission Creek Park Pavilion to mark the change.

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) has a master ground lease with the City and Port for the 18 parks, which it hopes to terminate by the end of this year. FOCIL-MB LLC has a lease with the City and Port for nine additional Mission Bay sites. With tax increment funding, FOCIL-MB is improving seven of the parcels as parks, two into small open spaces. One of the larger sites being developed is 5.4-acre Bayfront Park, between Chase Center and the Bay.

FOCIL-MB LLC, which purchased

Handy Numbers

the Mission Bay master development from Catellus Development Corporation roughly 20 years ago, expects to complete the nine sites by 2028. The company will terminate its master ground lease for each of the locations as they’re finished.

Ultimately, the Port will manage 9.67 acres in Mission Bay. In July it assumed responsibility for roughly four acres. RPD will administer 31.87 acres of open space in Mission Bay.

“The Port and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are exploring many ways to address sea level rise along the waterfront to keep the parks safe,” said Justin Berton, Port of San Francisco director of communications and external affairs.

RPD is now responsible for the Channel Street Dog Park, Mariposa Park, Mission Bay Commons, Mission Bay Kids Park, and the Mission Creek Complex. Complimentary dog waste bags will be provided for one year. The department is evaluating what activities, such as youth programs, to offer at these facilities. Park hours will remain the same, typically 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

RPD’s permit fee structure for activities, like use of picnic sites and indoor rentals, differs from POSM’s.

“Some things are a little higher than before and some things are lower than before, but it works out to be comparable,” said Tamara Aparton, RPD spokesperson.

According to Donna Dell’Era, Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) member, prior to the transfer Mission Bay residents occasionally met at the Mission Creek Park Pavilion at no charge.

“Now we’re trying to figure out how much it will cost to hold such meetings in the future,” said Dell’Era.

The Pavilion at 290 Channel Street can be reserved by submitting an online application at least 30 days in advance of the requested date. Securing the facility entails a $76 reservation fee, $102 an hour with a four-hour minimum, $250 refundable security deposit, and $26 per hour staffing fee with four-hour minimum.

“The neighborhood has seen a lot of car break-ins and vandalism. We’re hoping that RPD’s Park Patrol officers will do as good a job as the team hired by MJM Management Group,” said Sarah Davis, Mission Bay CAC chair.

“The more I know, the fewer concerns I have. I am less worried that the (change) will mean that the parks will stop feeling like part of the Mission Bay community,” said Dell’Era.

According to Davis, Mission Bay can have the texture of a separate place, distinct from the rest of San Francisco.

“That’s not actually true. These parks (now assumed by) RPD and the Port show that. It’s a big step for us,” said Davis.

Dell’Era hopes RPD will create a senior center in the neighborhood.

According to Dell’Era, the area has basketball courts and large lawns for children, but no recreational spaces for pensioners. The City maintains senior centers in a number of locations, including the Golden Gate Park Senior Center, Castro Senior Center, and Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center in Bayview Hunters Point.

Two Community Facilities Districts (CFD) – Five and Six –impose special property assessments in Mission Bay. CFD #6 pays for construction of roads, utilities, and parks in Mission Bay South. These charges will be collected until Mission Bay South construction has been completed and associated bonds retired. CFD #5 pays for maintenance and operating expenses of the 41.5 acres of open space in Mission Bay North and South. These duties will be levied until 2044. In fiscal year 2023-2024, CFD #5 generated $2.9 million in revenues. Assessment income will either be directed to the Port and RPD to support maintenance and operations at the 18 parks or be used to fund development of the nine remaining Mission Bay sites.

“There are sufficient funds to build out the remaining parks. There have been some supply chain problems due to COVID, which have caused delays,” said Marc Slutzkin, OCII project manager for Mission Bay North & South.

Green Benefit District | GreenBenefit.org

The GBD is looking for a new Executive Director! More info about the job and how to apply on the GBD website. The Dogpatch Music Series starts up again on Saturday afternoon, August 26, with performances continuing on September 9 and 23, and October 7. More information on performers and vendors will be posted at GreenBenefit.org as available.

The Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association | potreroboosters.org

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The Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association | potrerodogpatch.com

The Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association promotes and advocates for independent, locally owned businesses while actively supporting our neighborhood and our wonderful communities.

PREFund | prefund.org

PREFund brings neighbors together to support education and build community. We are accepting new members to our Community Advisory Board this Fall! Learn more prefund.org/volunteer

Starr King Open Space | StarrKingOpenSpace.org

Please join our monthly volunteer days on the second Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This month it is August 12th.

If you can, please donate to help keep Starr King Open Space open, accessible, and well-maintained for our neighbors. StarrKingOpenSpace.org