The 8 Washington team has worked over the past six years to develop a proposal that meets and exceeds the goals for the project site as identified in the Waterfront Land Use Plan, the Northeast Embarcadero Study, as well as the diverse expectations of various stakeholders.
The project would provide numerous benefits to the surrounding community with a thoughtful balance of housing, retail and restaurants, public open space, recreational facilities, and parking.
Much-Needed Housing
There is an undersupply of housing in San Francisco. Housing production has not kept pace with population growth and families continue to move out of the City. 8 Washington would provide 165 residential units housed in LEED certified buildings with green rooftops. Two and three bedroom units would provide options for families. 8 Washington would also allow for the creation of 33 affordable homes in San Francisco.
Furthermore, additional residents in the neighborhood would allow for more "eyes on the street" at all hours of the day and add to the social fabric of the waterfront community.
New Public Open Space and Pedestrian Improvements
More than 50% of the project site would be dedicated to recreation and public open space. 8 Washington proposes to repurpose a surface parking lot and private, fenced-off tennis courts to provide an active, mixed-use project connecting the city's neighborhoods to the waterfront.
The project proposes to create two new open space areas: The Jackson Commons and Pacific Park. The Jackson Commons would re-connect Jackson Street to the Embarcadero, opening views and pedestrian access to and from the waterfront. Pacific Waterfront Park would connect Pacific Street to the Embarcadero, creating a vibrant and active waterfront park, with views of the bay. Additionally, the Drumm Street Walk would connect the The Jackson Commons and Pacific Park and would be expanded in width by approximately 50%.
The project would also widen the sidewalks around the site, on the Embarcadero, Washington Street and Drumm Street. All curb cuts would be removed along the Embarcadero and two curb cuts would be removed on Washington Street.
Ground Floor Retail and Restaurants
The City's Northeast Embarcadero Study recommends that any buildings on the site should include neighborhood and city-serving uses at the ground floor level. As a result, 8 Washington now proposes approximately 30,000 square feet of ground floor, retail and restaurant space.
New establishments would include outdoor sidewalk seating - much of which would front the Embarcadero, further enhancing the streetscape and improving the pedestrian experience and neighborhood vitality and safety. The proposal includes a restaurant/café with outdoor seating in the proposed Pacific Park as, well as a café serving the public and the new recreation facility.
Renovated Recreation Facility
SFWP is committed to providing a community recreation club which will continue to be enjoyed by its members and the neighborhood for many years to come. SFWP recognizes the importance of recreation, social networking and physical well-being that is offered at the Club. 8 Washington would provide an enlarged and improved fitness facility and locker rooms, larger recreational and lap pools and expanded outdoor recreation and deck space.
To view a comparison of the existing recreation facilities compared to the 8 Washington recreation and open space amenities click here.
Ferry Building Viability
The Ferry Building area is facing a serious parking shortage. BCDC requirements and structural concerns for the Piers have already resulted in the recent loss of 128 public parking spaces. The area stands to lose an additional 283 spaces in the near future.
Progressive parking solutions are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Ferry Building Farmer's Market and surrounding businesses. 8 Washington proposes to replace a surface parking lot with a centrally located, underground, public garage that would serve these entities.
The garage would also include secure parking for bicycles and car sharing programs.
Although significantly more expensive, SFWP is committed to locating all parking underground in an effort to ensure the most sound urban use of the public areas.