Fisherman’s Wharf Advisory Committee (FWAC) - July 8, 2026

Agenda

1. Meeting Ground Rules: (9:00 – 9:05am)
2. Approval of Draft Meeting Notes:
   • March 4, 2026
   • May 6, 2026
3. Announcements and Project Updates (9:10 – 9:45am)
   • A. Fisherman's Wharf Forward (FWF) Construction Schedule and Project Updates – Chris Horiuchi, FWF Port Project Team
   • B. Fisherman’s Wharf CBD (FWCBD) Updates – FWCBD representatives; Amy Cohen, Port Real Estate
   • C. Real Estate Updates – Harold George, Port Real Estate d. Maritime Updates – Becca Gross, Port Maritime
4. Pilot Thomas Fuel Dock Update: Update on the return to service of the Hyde Street Harbor fuel dock and proposed gasoline line. – Port Maritime (9:45 – 10:15am)
5. Agenda Setting for Future Meetings (10:15 – 10:30am)

Minutes for July 8, 2026 FWAC Meeting

Item #1 – Ground Rules for Meetings 

A Port representative stated participation ground rules for providing public comment both online and in-person, including respectful participation. An announcement was made that this meeting was recorded for note‑taking purposes. 

Item #2 – Approval of Draft Meeting Notes 

Draft minutes from the March 4, 2026 and May 6, 2026 FWAC meetings were reviewed near the end of the meeting. With no objections, both pending sets of minutes were approved.  

Read the March 4 meeting minutes here. 

Read the May 6 meeting minutes here. 

Item #3 – Quick Announcements & Project Updates 

Fisherman’s Wharf Forward (FWF) (Chris Horiuchi, Port Waterfront Resilience Program) 

Construction updates were provided for a variety of items within the Port-led Fisherman’s Wharf Forward project.  

Smokehouse Overlook: Opened end of May; fish market successfully using space. Additional paving and restriping near the former fuel tank occurring through July. Weekend access will remain open. 

Inner Lagoon Pile Replacement: Work begins early August; contractor mobilizing barge and coordinating with Port Maritime for boat relocations. 

Tarantino’s Walkway: Early August surface and lighting repairs; temporary access restrictions for public safety. 

Taylor Street Plaza: Structural and utility upgrades underway; concrete pours ongoing. Target opening: August 2026. 

Grotto Café Space: Woods Brewpub lease approved by Port Commission; interior work proceeding with goal to open alongside the plaza. 

Interpretive “Harbor Walk” Signage: Installation underway; completion expected before plaza opening. 

The team is now developing concepts for the longer-term Fisherman’s Wharf Forward project, a Port-led effort which will involve rebuilding the Taylor Street shoreline and replacing the seawall and wharf for seismic and flood resiliency. Ongoing work includes technical analysis, such as a historic resources evaluation of the area in partnership with SF Planning. Concept options will incorporate feedback collected during community outreach in the spring, which included a community meeting in April and an online survey, which collected 151 responses. Community feedback has emphasized the importance of maintaining the project area’s authenticity, providing support for the fishing industry, improving the accessibility and experience of the public realm in the area, and maintaining a welcoming local character. The project team expects to return to the public for another meeting in September, where concept options will be presented. 

Questions/Comments: 

Question: We have lost a lot of parking in the neighborhood. Is the Port mitigating this for boat and business owners? How is the Port planning to mitigate loss of parking in the neighborhood from construction? 

Answer: The Port presented a comprehensive parking plan for the neighborhood at the May FWAC meeting. (Read the May 6 meeting minutes and view presentation materials here) In that presentation, the Port shared an inventory of spots that were removed during various construction efforts and their replacements. While there is a limited supply of parking in the neighborhood, as in the rest of the city, the Port believes that a new enforcement partnership with SFMTA will help turnover and ensure that parking remains available for berth holders and business owners who most need access.  

Question: Is there a design for the Tarantino’s walkway? 

Answer: It is mostly repaving existing cracked asphalt and improving the lighting. 

Question: what will happen to the windows on the Grotto wall? 

Answer: Those will be covered up, as they are in bad shape. The plan is to cover that wall with large decorative signage. 

Question: Will new pilings be added to the Inner Lagoon? 

Answer: Pilings are being added to replace ones that were missing, but no new stalls/berths will be created. 

Question: Has the plaza been named yet? 

Answer: The team went to the Port Commission in April with a community proposal to recognize the plaza as “Alioto’s Plaza.” At the time, the commission was supportive, but there is a 90 day waiting period to formalize the name. While the team had planned to return in July to formalize the name, two new commissioners will be being onboarded at that meeting, so there was a request to hold the item until August. 

Question: What is the scope of the long-term project that the community is being asked to provide feedback on? 

Answer: The project area is focused around the inner lagoon and Taylor Street. This is a Port-led project, separate from the developer-led proposal to revitalize the Triangle Lot and Pier 45 Shed A (Fisherman’s Wharf Revitalized). Because the resiliency work will involve completely rebuilding the project area, community feedback regarding the layout of buildings, signage, and other visitor improvements is all relevant for when the area is rebuilt. The project teams for both Fisherman’s Wharf Forward and Fisherman’s Wharf Revitalized are aware of public feedback collected for both projects and are working to deliver on the same community goals.  

Read more about Fisherman’s Wharf Forward. 

Read more about Fisherman’s Wharf Revitalized. 

Community Benefit District (FWCBD) Updates (Amy Cohen, Port Real Estate; FWCBD Representatives) 

Bri Maughan from the FWCBD shared an update that the FWCBD is working on new decorative banners that will go along Jefferson Street as well as the rest of the landside district. These are expected to be installed at the end of July. Additionally, the CBD is working on artistic wraps for the windows of Tarantino’s. These are also expected to be installed by the end of the month.  

The summer Pier Party season is underway. This consists of events every second and fourth Saturday. On second Saturdays, the CBD is hosting afternoon concerts at Crab Wheel Plaza. On fourth Saturdays, the CBD is hosting “Pier Party at Sunset,” which is an evening event at the Triangle Lot with larger programing. The CBD will be activating their Entertainment Zone for an event on July 25, in which DJ Umami and the Top Chefs will perform, with live mural painting activations. There will be no street closure for this event, and the CBD will reach out to nearby restaurants beforehand to invite participation during the event.  

Real Estate Updates (Harold George, Port Real Estate) 

Port Real Estate and the developer team working on Chasca Rio and Castagnola’s provided a series of real estate updates. 

490 Jefferson: Dylan’s Tours is beginning tenant improvements. 

Everett & Jones: Target opening September 2026. 

Chasca Rio (former Pompeii space): Interior demo uncovered major kitchen equipment issues; permits in process. Estimated opening late 2026/early 2027. 

Castagnola’s: Demo permit submitted; coordinating seawall assessment for integrated project phasing. 

Questions/Comments: 

Question: Can we add “Coming Soon” signage at Chasca Rio? 

Answer: Yes, pending permit timeline confirmation.  

Maritime Updates (Becca Gross, Port Maritime) 

There are new 2026 parking passes (green) available at the Hyde Street Harbor. The Pier 47 pile repair project has been delayed, with the start now expected in October. The bait barge will remain operational during work. Progress continues on the ice machine replacement. The new machine is anticipated to be operational in early 2027. The Maritime team is coordinating with the contractor and fishers for relocations while piles are being repaired in the inner lagoon. 

Item #4 - Pilot Thomas Fuel Dock Reopening (Dominic Moreno, Port Maritime) 

The Hyde Street Harbor Fuel Dock was closed after a fuel pipeline leak was discovered around 2020–2021, triggering a multi‑year remediation effort. With remediation now effectively completed, the Port has re‑engaged Pilot Thomas, the fuel operator, to negotiate a new lease and begin planning for reconstruction of the pipeline and fuel systems. The Port is currently targeting a reopening around June 2027, though staff emphasized that earlier completion will be pursued if feasible. 

The reopening timeline is closely coordinated with the Gas House Cove fuel dock, operated by Recreation & Parks, which is scheduled to shut down for remediation beginning late April to early May 2027. Because this closure may reduce citywide fuel access, especially gasoline, the Port is exploring whether temporary gasoline service could be provided at Hyde Street Harbor before the full reopening. Discussions with Pilot Thomas are ongoing, but no commitments have been finalized. 

To address safety concerns, especially vessel speeds when entering the harbor, the Port plans to refresh faded five‑knot speed signage, add new caution markers including a buoy near the breakwater, and coordinate with the SFPD Marine Unit on installing an electronic speed display to improve real‑time education for incoming boaters. Additional directional signage will discourage unsafe approaches via Aquatic Park. 

Overall, the Port anticipates that gasoline service could bring additional traffic into Hyde Street Harbor, but staff noted that most vessel traffic already enters daily for bait, making the net increase relatively small. Continued coordination with stakeholders—including berth holders, law enforcement, and recreational users—will shape both operations and safety measures as the reopening timeline develops. 

Questions/Comments 

Question: What is the fuel dock’s capacity and vessel access for large boats? 

Answer: The dock currently includes two 10,000‑gallon diesel tanks—sufficient for large vessels such as the U.S. Army Corps debris‑removal craft—and dredging of the harbor fairway is planned to restore permitted depths. While maneuvering space is tight, the calm conditions in Hyde Street Harbor generally make larger‑vessel access workable. The Port will also work with the operator to distinguish areas for smaller gasoline‑powered vessels so they do not interfere with diesel fueling berths used by larger craft. 

Question: How will the Port address speeding, especially in the mornings when boats come in for bait and swimmers are out? 

Answer: The Port has found that education is effective for reducing maritime use conflicts. The Port and the SFPD Marine Unit, who enforce speeding, are exploring installation of real time education and awareness technology, such as an electronic speed display to discourage incoming boaters from speeding.  

Item #5 – future agenda items and closing notes 

Parking was added as a future formal agenda item, with the Port to explore potentially establishing a parking working group of FWAC members and Hyde Street stakeholders. 

Participants shared updates including:  

Red & White Fleet operations at Pier 43½ were fully restored July 3, following relocation during remediation. The fleet has begun offering whale watching cruises in partnership with the Pacific Whale Foundation. 

The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishing Associations has an online tool where participants can report lost gear, and a crew will go out to retrieve it. 

California Sea Grant was identified as a potential partner for future resilient seafood system planning.  

The next meeting of the FWAC is scheduled for September 2, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 10:19 am.