California Construction News staff writer
San Francisco has broken ground on a long-delayed waterfront development at the former Candlestick Park site that will eventually deliver 7,200 homes and create a major new employment district in the Bayview.
The 270-acre Candlestick development, led by FivePoint, will include about 700 homes in its first phase, including 314 affordable units. The project also will include the initial stages of an innovation district, along with ground-floor retail and restaurants.
At full build-out, the development is planned to include up to 2.8 million square feet of flexible commercial space, 2.5 miles of publicly accessible bayfront, 100 acres of parks and open space, 60 city blocks, shops, restaurants, a hotel and entertainment uses.
The groundbreaking marks the start of construction after years of delays at the former home of the San Francisco 49ers and a longtime venue for major sporting and entertainment events.
The first phase will cover seven city blocks. Infrastructure work will include new roads and utilities, as well as upgrades to the water system serving the surrounding community.
“For years, San Franciscans have heard about the potential for Candlestick,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Today, I am proud that we are finally breaking ground and taking the first step toward 7,200 new homes for San Franciscans.”
Lurie said the city is working to speed up construction and ensure the surrounding Bayview community benefits from the redevelopment.
The Candlestick project is part of the mayor’s broader effort to increase housing production and make San Francisco more affordable for families. The city has also launched permitting reforms through PermitSF and pursued changes to zoning and affordable-housing funding.
“This groundbreaking is the result of a strong public-private partnership focused on delivering real benefits for San Franciscans, from new homes to public open space,” said Thor Kaslofsky, executive director of the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure.
“This is an iconic site with a remarkable history of bringing people together at Candlestick Park,” said FivePoint President and CEO Dan Hedigan. “We now have an opportunity to make it central to the life of the city again as an entirely new waterfront neighborhood.”
The project also is intended to improve public access to the shoreline, with a network of parks, trails and other open spaces planned throughout the site.
Several public spaces and streets are expected to recognize the site’s sports history, including San Francisco Giants and 49ers legends Willie Mays, Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.
Bayview community leaders said the groundbreaking represents an opportunity to deliver long-promised housing and economic opportunities in the area.
“For generations, Bayview families have helped build San Francisco while waiting for the Candlestick project in our own community,” said Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, chair of the Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee. “Today’s groundbreaking is a step toward the homes, jobs, and opportunities our community deserves.”
The development is expected to transform the former stadium site into a mixed-use waterfront neighbourhood, while establishing the innovation district as a new centre of economic activity in southeastern San Francisco.
