Since America's Cup dissed San Francisco to host its next edition, the Port of San Francisco is aiming to revitalize Pier 29. But its plan, published here, looks an awful lot like Pier 29's neighbor, the Ferry Building.
Focused on the historic Bulkhead Building—which was rebuilt after a fire in 2012 and housed the temporary, now-closed Waiheke Island Yacht Club Restaurant—it would feature a “San Francisco Bay Area themed marketplace that brings together a collection of successful San Francisco retailers/restaurants.”
The Port suggests a mix of large and small local companies and lists vendors, including eight children’s retailers (Wee Scotty, Dottie Doolittle, The Ark Toy Company, A Child’s Delight, Glammic, Ambassador Toys, Small Frys, Chloe’s Closet), cooking wares (William Sonoma, Napa Style), flower shops (Hoogasian Flowers, Flora Grubb, Bay Natives Nursery), bread-makers (Boudin Bakery, Acme Bread), plus jewelry, books, ceramics, and wine and artisan beer tasting.
So, basically, we're looking at a more mainstream Ferry Building for wealthy families. It makes sense considering the marketplace would serve tourists at the new cruise terminal, set to open in Fall 2014.
ABC7 spoke to the general manager of the Ferry Building's wine merchant, Bo Thompson, who brought up the fact that the Ferry Building has no parking and another marketplace destination would only exacerbate that problem.
The Port, which also owns the Ferry Building, will hold a public information meeting to talk about Pier 29 today, July 8, at 3:25 p.m. at the Port Commission Hearing Room on the second floor of the Ferry Building.
