As Director of Development for two San Francisco Mayors, Ken oversaw projects that encompassed more than 20,000 residential units, 6 million square feet of commercial space and 40 acres of open space for the City. Each of these complex projects required creative public-private problem solving around unique sets of issues.
Balboa Reservoir Development, approved 2020
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS CHASE CENTER
approved 2015, opened 2019
The Warriors chose a large site in Mission Bay for their new privately financed 18,000 seat basketball arena and event center. Project approvals included an unprecedented traffic mitigation plan to protect the adjacent UCSF Hospital and an innovative dedicated funding source for enhanced transit and other public services.
GIANTS MISSION ROCK
approved 2018, under construction 2019
The San Francisco Giants partnered with the Port of San Francisco to transform the stadium’s 28-acre parking lot into a new mixed use neighborhood, comprising 1,500 residential units, 40% affordable, 1.5 million square feet of office space and eight acres of open space. The Disposition and Development Agreement creates a partnership between the Giants and the Port, with an ongoing revenue stream for the Port as underlying landowner. The project’s public benefit package includes a new five-acre waterfront park, an innovative workforce development program related to the office and retail spaces, $40 million in transportation funding and dedicated funding source for future sea-level rise adaptation in the vicinity.
PIER 70
approved 2017, under construction 2019
The Port of San Francisco selected developer Forest City to redevelop this 28-acre former maritime industrial site. The project creates 1,500 residential units, 30% affordable, 1.5 million square feet of office space and nine acres of open space. The Disposition and Development Agreement creates a partnership between the developer and the Port, with an ongoing revenue stream for the Port as underlying landowner. It also includes restoration of three historic buildings, a local hire program, new arts facility, $40 million in transportation funding and dedicated funding source for future sea-level rise adaptation in the vicinity.
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER (CPMC)
approved 2013, opened 2019
This complex negotiation protected the future of St. Luke’s Hospital in the Mission District and cleared the way for two new seismically safe hospitals in San Francisco, at Van Ness-Geary and Mission-Bernal (former St. Luke’s). The Development Agreement assured $70 million in payments for affordable housing and transportation improvements, as well as significant ongoing commitments around charity care and local hiring.
OCTAVIA BOULEVARD
approved 2010, open 2010 - 2017
When the elevated Central Freeway was removed in 2003 Caltrans agreed to convey for development to the City 22 parcels of land formerly underneath the freeway. The Octavia Boulevard project has transformed the former Central Freeway right-of-way and these parcels into a beautiful boulevard and park, with 1,000 residential units, 50% affordable.
5M
approved 2015, opened 2021
The Hearst Corporation partnered with developer Forest City to bring life to four acres of mainly parking lots at 5th and Mission Streets, adjacent to the historic Chronicle Building and across the street from the Old Mint. The project creates 700 residential units, 40% affordable, 600,000 square feet of office space and one acre of open space. The Development Agreement includes restoration of a historic building to house arts organizations, a workforce development program and financial contributions to recreational facilities in the SoMa neighborhood.
SAN FRANCISCO MINT
The Old Mint, built in 1874 and transferred from federal to City ownership in 2003, is a national historic landmark and one of the most significant historic structures on the west coast. The City has entered into a partnership with the California Historical Society to fully renovate this important building at 5th and Mission Streets and establish it as a destination cultural venue and center of history, culture and learning.
STONESTOWN MALL
approval expected 2023
Brookfield Properties, owner of Stonestown Mall, plans to modernize the retail center while infilling housing on some of the facility’s parking lots. The project will include at least 1,000 housing units, with a significant affordable percentage, as well as improvements to public transit in the area.
POTRERO POWER STATION
approved 2020, under construction 2022
In 2011 this fossil fuel-burning power plant in the southeastern part of the City was finally decommissioned. Developer Associate Capital is redeveloping this waterfront site as a new mixed-use neighborhood directly adjacent to Pier 70, including 2,600 units, 30% affordable, 1.5 million square feet of office or life science space and eight acres of open space. The Development Agreement will assure preservation and reuse of three significant historic industrial structures, as well as a new soccer field and YMCA, and more than $75 million for transportation improvements and workforce development.
SCHLAGE LOCK FACTORY
approved 2014
The Visitacion Valley neighborhood of San Francisco was a company town around the Schlage Lock factory until it closed in 1999. This Development Agreement enables a transformation of this 20-acre former industrial site into 1,700 residential units, 15% affordable, as well as a grocery store and 2 acres of open space. Despite the closure of California’s Redevelopment Agencies, the agreement was able nevertheless to bring a significant amount of public investment into the project to offset remediation costs.
PLUMBERS’ UNION SITE
approved 2018, under construction 2020
San Francisco Plumbers’ Local 38 partnered with developer Strada Investments to redevelop its two-acre site at 12th and Market Streets in the Hayes Valley / Mid Market neighborhood. The project includes 600 residential units, 27% affordable. The Development Agreement includes restoration of the historic Civic Center Hotel and a dedicated 100-unit supportive housing facility for formerly homeless individuals.
BALBOA RESERVOIR
approved 2020
The 17 acre Balboa Reservoir has never held water and has been used for many years as a parking lot for adjacent City College of San Francisco. Developers Bridge Housing and Avalon Bay will acquire the property from the Public Utilities Commission to create 1,100 units of housing, 50% affordable, as well as four acres of open space. The Development Agreement will assure 150 units of affordable housing prioritized for City College and public school educators as well as 200 replacement parking spaces for college students, faculty and staff. The City will participate by providing some of the subsidy for the very ambitious 50% affordable rate.
INDIA BASIN
approved 2018
This former gravel yard on the City’s southern bayfront will be transformed into a waterfront urban village in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, including 1,575 units, 25% affordable, as well as a public marketplace with local business incubator and dedicated funding source for future sea-level rise adaptation in the vicinity. The project includes a collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the Trust for Public Land to create a new 15-acre waterfront park along the Bay.
SAN FRANCISCO FLOWER MART
approved 2020
The 100-year-old San Francisco Flower Mart is one of the few remaining wholesale flower markets in the US. Developer Kilroy Realty is working with the City to relocate the Flower Mart to a new location in order to build a 2 million square foot office project on the current Central SoMa site. The Development Agreement for this project will include a fully-funded relocation of the Flower Mart to a permanent new facility in San Francisco, including ongoing operating support for the market. The agreement will also provide a parcel dedicated to the City for affordable housing and more than $200 million in funding for affordable housing, transportation improvements and workforce development.
UCSF LAUREL HEIGHTS CENTER
approved 2019
Developer Prado acquired this property after the University of California, San Francisco decided to consolidate its Laurel Heights facilities into its new Mission Bay campus. The project will create 744 residential units, 25% affordable and 30,000 square feet of retail space, by converting the notable existing midcentury office building into residential space and infilling more housing around it, while maintaining existing significant trees and green spaces on the campus. The Development Agreement includes a new standalone 100% affordable senior housing complex with childcare on the ground floor.
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC BOWES CENTER
approved 2018, opened 2021
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music saw the need to provide housing for its students and acquired this site to expand its Civic Center campus. The project includes 113 residential suites for 420 students, as well as two new performance spaces. The Development Agreement requires provision of 27 new rent-controlled apartments in the facility, to replace those previously on the site, along with right of return for all previous tenants and temporary housing during construction.
SF GATEWAY PROJECT
approval expected 2021
Industrial developer Prologis is proposing a first of its kind in California multi-story light industrial facility in the Bayview neighborhood. The project will include 1 million square feet of versatile manufacturing, distribution and fleet management space over four stories with large truck access to upper stories, adding much needed new light industrial space to the City’s constrained supply. The Development Agreement will require a portion of the space to be provided below market rate and will include workforce development and training provisions.
RECOLOGY PROJECT
approval expected 2021
Recology, the City’s waste management company, plans to move its operations out of a 6 acre parcel in the Showplace Square – Potrero Hill neighborhood. This project proposes an innovative land use mix including about 500 residential units, 40% affordable, 600,000 square feet of commercial space and 250,000 square feet of light industrial / manufacturing space. The Development Agreement will secure dedicated and fully funded parcels for affordable housing and below market rate space for small local manufacturers.