Train Riders' Association of California

San Francisco Chronicle
Open Forum
901 Mission Street
San Francisco CA 94103
 
Attn: John Sullivan

Subject:  Transbay Terminal Project Threatened

When completed, the Transbay Terminal/Caltrain Extension Project will bring all west-bay and trans-bay bus lines as well as Caltrain and future high-speed trains into a modern bus/rail terminal centralized in downtown San Francisco. In addition, the terminal will be conveniently linked to BART and Muni Metro subway lines and will spawn the construction of at least 10,000 units of badly needed San Francisco housing and create at least 6,000 man years of construction work. The Transbay Terminal is destined to become a major San Francisco landmark, vital to the future economic and environmental viability of the Bay Area.
 
However, a problem has arisen. The actions of the erstwhile developer of a luxury condominium building that was planned for 80 Natoma Street, just west of the Terminal, are impeding Transbay Terminal progress. The 80 Natoma Project has had a unique history. It was first proposed in 1990. Its EIS/EIR was certified in 1992. Since that time its site has seen at least three owners come and go, and sustained at least one foreclosure. Throughout this lengthy period, 80 Natoma has remained a bleak and empty lot surrounded by a chain link fence, until last spring when it became a parking lot.
 
The Transbay Terminal Project, on the other hand, has been on the move. The Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was completed and released for public comment on October 4, 2002. In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act regulations, notices were sent out to all property owners within 300 feet of the Transbay Terminal project boundary including the owners of the 80 Natoma property. Many well-publicized and well-attended public meetings were held. During the public comment period no one connected with 80 Natoma Project responded in any way to the Transbay EIR.
 
So far as the world knew, the Natoma Project was, for all intents and purposes, dead.

In January of 2004, twelve months after the completion of the Transbay Terminal Project’s outreach program, the 80 Natoma developer came to life, announcing that he would shortly be starting construction. The Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the agency responsible for the Transbay Terminal Project studied the developer’s conceptual foundation drawings and concluded that the plan for resting the bottom of his building's piles on 92 feet of compressible Bay Mud would make it impossible to place the planned Caltrain rail tunnel under his building without incurring enormous construction risk. This conclusion was later concurred in by geotechnical and foundation experts. None of the alternatives subsequently put forth by the developer improved the situation in any significant way.
 
It soon became apparent that the only way of assuring a solid foundation for both projects was to extend the 80 Natoma piles through the mud and anchor to bedrock. This extension, which could have been completed at moderate cost, would have permitted the construction of both the 80 Natoma highrise and the future subway without undue risk to either facility. However the developer rejected the idea, reportedly because the design change would have delayed his 80 Natoma project by 9 to 12 months. That was in March of 2004. Had he accepted the proposed change at that time, perhaps reserving the right to file a claim in the event of resulting revenue losses, his project could have been under construction by now.
 
It is now June of 2005. Fifteen months have passed and much has happened. By choosing to demand that it be done his way, the developer lost his opportunity to build his building. Moreover, through his subsequent legal actions he has brought the Transbay Terminal Project to a virtual standstill. As a result, Transbay Project costs are continuing to rise, at a reported rate of five million dollars a month.
 
In the interest of better regional transportation and the future environmental and economic well being of the Bay Area, it is incumbent upon the political leadership of San Francisco and the Bay Region to take the actions necessary to get the Transbay Terminal/Caltrain Extension Project moving again.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
 
Alan C. Miller
Executive Director
Train Riders Association of California (TRAC)