Development at Pier 45 is Up to the Voters

SAN FRANCISCO-Voters may get the final say regarding development of San Francisco’s Pier 45. In June, the Port Commission granted development rights for Shed A to Cleveland-based developer Malrite Co., which plans a $30-million San Francisco-themed interactive history museum museum. Losing out was the nonprofit Bay Center, which instead wanted to develop an environmental-themed project in the 71,000-sf shed.

But four members of the Board of Supervisors countered the move by sponsoring Proposition R, a non-binding measure that lets voters give their opinion on the matter. Mayor Willie Brown then stepped in and asked the parties to discuss ways for both projects to be housed in the shed.

Malrite reportedly offered to slice off 4,000 sf of Shed A and donate it rent-free to the Bay Center. It also offered to throw in a $750,000 annual subsidy and use of Malrite marketing resources. It apparently wasn’t good enough because both sides say talks have broken down, giving voters the opportunity to be the swing vote.