More Public Space Now Open On Pier 29Pier 29. Photos: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline
Geri Koeppel
Published on April 03, 2015

Runners, dog walkers, Bay gazers and other fans of the waterfront have even more options now that the Port of San Francisco has further opened public space on Pier 29 as part of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 project.

New benches with views of cruise operations, the Bay and Alcatraz were installed along the waterfront recently on the tip of Pier 29, and gates opened this week for access to the end of the pier.

The southernmost area of public access along the east apron (near where the cruise ships dock) is still closed due to construction, said Diane Oshima, assistant director for waterfront planning for the Port of San Francisco.

Access gates on Pier 27 remain closed for construction. 

"We're anticipating that this construction will be done in July," she added. After that, "When ships aren't in port, the apron should be open to public access all the way to Pier 27."

(Graphic: Port of San Francisco)

Public access gates will be closed by one hour after sunset, but open throughout the day. Gates to the north of Pier 29 will remain closed out of safety concerns, Oshima added.

This additional public open space joins the two-and-a-half acre grassy public park included with the cruise terminal design.

Cruise Terminal Plaza

Jon Golinger, a member of the Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group (NEWAG) to the Port, has raised the issue of public access several times since the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 opened in September 2014.

The entire open space was supposed to open by end of March, he said, so as a runner, he's been eager to use it. His route includes postcard views of Alcatraz and Coit Tower, and from Pier 29 he can run along public open space to Pier 1 and even the Ferry Building.

"That's my next mission is to get some signage there so people know there's beautiful open space," he said.

View of Alcatraz from Pier 29 tip

Oshima said one delay has been due to construction of a facilities operations building that was originally slated to be built at Pier 29.

"We didn't think we had enough budget to build on Pier 27, so we staked out a location in the Pier 29 shed, which was less than ideal," Oshima said. "Facilities operations involves forklifts, so you have a lot of traffic between Pier 27 and 29 that wasn't compatible with public access."

The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) expressed a desire for the Port to move the facilities operations building to Pier 27 and it found the funds, but construction has lagged behind the rest, Oshima said.

Another reason for the delay in opening the public space: The Port is building a moveable fencing system around high-voltage electrical equipment that runs the large new gangway and shoreside power for ships docked at the pier, so they don't have to use diesel generators.

"Until that fencing system is completed, Metro [Cruise Services, which manages the cruise terminal] and the Port are keeping the gates closed because it’s not safe for the public," Oshima said.

Security for the Port, Metro Shore Services and Imperial Parking, which runs the parking lot, all patrol the area. "We try to have our tenants share the load on keeping an eye on the property and keeping it safe," Oshima said.

Incidentally, during non-ship days, public parking is available at Pier 27 for $12 for two hours or $15 a day.