Mayor Gavin Newsom today hailed the Board of Supervisors' unanimous vote to endorse a package of legislation supporting the redevelopment of former Naval Station Treasure Island as a major milestone. The legislation, containing agreements with the United States Navy for transfer of the property, with the master developer, Treasure Island Community Development (TICD), and the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative (TIHDI), together forms the comprehensive vision for the future of the former military base.
"This represents a tremendous step forward for the City and the region by moving us significantly closer to beginning implementation of a project that will create a new neighborhood, a regional destination, a massive package of public benefits and thousands of jobs as early as next year," said Mayor Newsom.
The legislation builds on the momentum from last December when, with support from the San Francisco congressional delegation, the Mayor met with the Secretary of the Navy in Washington D.C. to agree to the terms for the transfer of the property to the City's via its Treasure Island Development Authority.
Plans for the project, which have received overwhelming support, consist of a compact, transit-oriented community centered around a new ferry terminal and town center that activates structures remaining from the island's first use, the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. The island will contain up to 8,000 new residential units, with 30% of all units at affordable levels, including hundreds for formerly homeless through the nationally-recognized Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative.
"After many years of hard work by so many dedicated people, this milestone represents a light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts to create new homes and significant job creation in a new San Francisco neighborhood that includes significant opportunities for formerly homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals and families," said Sherry Williams, Executive Director of the TIHDI.
The Treasure Island plans have been heralded internationally for innovative design and commitment to sustainability across the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic factors. The project incorporates innovative components such as the country's first congestion management pricing program, green building specifications that will apply to every new building, innovative storm water treatment features and infrastructure that will reduce energy usage via district heating and cooling. 300 of the island's 450 acres would become a waterfront park network, including a shoreline art park, wetlands, a regional sports park and an urban organic farm.
"One day we're going to look back and see that Treasure Island established a new model for how cities can grow in a manner that respects the environment, provides opportunities for all socioeconomic groups and makes economic sense" said Mayor Newsom.
The project has been recognized for its forward-thinking approach by receiving the 2008 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, an international 2009 American Institute of Architects Honor Award and by being selected by the Clinton Climate Initiative and US Green Building Council as one of only sixteen projects around the world to partner in the Climate Positive Development Program.
"We are honored to have earned the Board's support for the redevelopment of Treasure Island," said TICD representatives Kofi Bonner and Chris Meany. "We look forward to continuing to work with the City and community partners to finalize the review of this important regional project which will create thousands of jobs and important community benefits."
Subject to environmental review, project approvals would be brought to the TIDA Board and Board of Supervisors in early 2011 and construction would begin several months later.
"After ten plus years of an extensive public planning process, this is a great accomplishment for the City and Treasure Island," said Owen Stephens, President of the TIDA Board. "Great things are going to come from this project."