Pier 70, San Francisco

Physical plant

The pier is 65 acre in size.

History

The area around Pier 70 has been used for shipbuilding since the Gold Rush. Since becoming home to the Union Iron Works in 1883, Pier 70 has been occupied by a variety of industrial concerns, including the Pacific Rolling Mills, Risdon Iron & Locomotive, Kneass Boat Works, Union Iron Works, Bethlehem Shipbuilding, and BAE Systems.

After Bethlehem acquired Union Iron Works in 1905, the pier also housed Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's administrative offices in Building 101.

Bethlehem Steel sold their holdings in the area to the Port of SF in 1980.

In the 1990s, the Eureka Dry Dock, former USS Steadfast (AFDM-14), was acquired by the BAE Systems and are now still in use at the Pier.

Early beginnings and industrial boom

Pier 70, situated on San Francisco's eastern waterfront, has played a major role in the city's industrial evolution since its establishment in the mid-19th century. Originally developed during the Gold Rush era to support San Francisco's growing population and economy, Pier 70 initially served as a shipbuilding hub. The Union Iron Works, founded in 1884 on the site that would become Pier 70, emerged as a leading industrial employer in the region .

The World Wars and industrial expansion

Pier 70's significance increased during World War II when it was acquired by Bethlehem Steel Corporation. It was then transformed into one of the West Coast's largest shipyards, producing numerous ships such as the Liberty ships crucial to the Allied war effort.

Post-War decline and redevelopment

Following World War II, Pier 70 experienced a decline in shipbuilding activity, mirroring broader shifts in the industrial landscape. By the 1970s, the area faced neglect and decay as heavy industrial operations dwindled. However, efforts to preserve Pier 70's historical significance gained traction, leading to collaborative initiatives between the Port of San Francisco and private developers to revitalize the site.

Current state and development

As of Jan 3, 2017, the facility is operated by Puglia Engineering, Inc, who operate 2 other ship repair facilities in Washington State. Puglia Engineering purchased the facility from BAE Systems Ship Repair in January, 2017. The two dry docks were formerly operated by BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair, employing approximately 200 people.

Most of the pier's buildings have been unoccupied since the decline of shipbuilding in the area. However, some of the pier's historic buildings are still used; one is used for artist studios.

In 2015, the Port of San Francisco started planning to redevelop the pier for mixed commercial and residential use in partnership with Orton Development, Inc. and Forest City Development. The redevelopment was expected to include roughly a thousand housing units and two million square feet of office space. In 2013, plans included a "Crane Cove Park" that would feature the historic cranes in the northern part of the pier complex.

A $120 million restoration and rehabilitation effort for the eight buildings in the pier's historic core began in 2015 and is expected to complete in 2017.

Several of the buildings are used as a large-scale event venue operated by Pier 70 Partners.

Current developments and future plans

Neighborhood

Pier 70 is situated on the eastern corridor of San Francisco, in the heart of the Dogpatch neighborhood.

Current developments

In 2024, redevelopment work continued under a partnership between the Port of San Francisco and Brookfield Properties. The development plan includes mixed-use zoning for retail, office, and residential units, alongside public parks and preserved historic structures.

The project master plan designates specific parcels for new residential construction and office use. It also requires the rehabilitation of historic structures, including the Union Iron Works Machine Shop, and the creation of waterfront parks such as Crane Cove Park.

Future prospects

Community groups, including the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, have advocated for the inclusion of cultural spaces and local hiring requirements in the redevelopment plan.

Historic buildings

Potrero Point is eligible for the National Register as a historic district for its contribution to three war efforts (Spanish–American War, World War I & World War II) and because of the 19th-century buildings that remain. Some of the buildings are individually eligible for landmarking for their architectural and historic merit. Worthy of historical landmark status is the 1917 Frederick Meyer Renaissance Revival Bethlehem office building, the Charles P. Weeks designed 1912 Power House#1, the 1896 Union Iron Works office designed by Percy & Hamilton, and the huge 1885 Machine shops.

References

References

1. Flynn, Katherine. "Transitions: Saved—Pier 70 Historic Core". [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]].
2. Wilson, Ralph. "Pier 70: History".
3. "Pier 70 Subdistrict Fact Sheet". Port of San Francisco.
4. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/18/WBGIGBN2CH1.DTL WATERFRONT / Developers face pier pressure / Pier 70 poses complex land-use problems, visions]
5. "Pier 70 Current Uses".
6. ""History of Pier 70." Port of San Francisco. Retrieved from [portofsf.org].".
7. [""Bethlehem Steel and World War II." Maritime Heritage. Retrieved from maritimeheritage.org."](https://www.maritimeheritage.org).
8. ""San Francisco's Pier 70: A New Lease on Life." San Francisco Chronicle.".
9. (3 January 2017). "BAE Systems sells San Francisco Ship Repair business".
10. Byloos, Morgane. (September 2012). "Pier 70 Set for Major Renovation". Potrero View.
11. Chamings, Andrew. (2020-07-16). "Historic San Francisco building to be lifted 10 feet due to rising sea levels".
12. (2013-03-23). "About". NOONAN BUILDING ARTISTS.
13. Wildermuth, John. (April 29, 2014). "Pier 70 project set for presentation".
14. Bevk, Alex. (12 September 2013). "What's Up With the New Crane Cove Park in the Dogpatch?".
15. "Home". Pier 70 Partners.
16. ""San Francisco's Pier 70: A New Lease on Life." San Francisco Chronicle, 2018. Retrieved from sfchronicle.com.".
17. ""Pier 70: Past, Present, and Future." Architectural Digest, 2020.".
18. ""Pier 70 Development Project." Office of Economic and Workforce Development, 2021. Retrieved from".
19. ""Pier 70 Sustainability Initiatives." Sustainable San Francisco. Retrieved from sustainablesanfrancisco.org".
20. ""Community Engagement in Pier 70 Redevelopment." Neighborhood Planning Association. Retrieved from neighborhoodplanning.org.".
21. ""Economic Impact of Pier 70 Redevelopment." Bay Area Economic Council. Retrieved from bayeconomiccouncil.org.".
22. ""Cultural Spaces at Pier 70." San Francisco Arts Council. Retrieved from sfartscouncil.org.".