San Francisco Police Department’s New Headquarters Unveiled

For immediate release: April 16, 2015 

Contact: Greg Crump, (415) 423-4260

San Francisco Police Department’s New Headquarters Unveiled 

City leaders mark historic milestone, cutting the ribbon to open the modern public safety facility with Police command post, new fire and police stations, community space

San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Ed Lee, Board of Supervisors President London Breed, Police Chief Greg Suhr, Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and other city leaders gathered at the new San Francisco Police Headquarters in the Mission Bay neighborhood to inaugurate the newest civic addition from the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response bond program, cutting the ribbon to the new $243 million Public Safety campus which became fully operational this week to serve San Francisco for decades to come.

The campus, at Mission Rock and Third streets, is home to the San Francisco Police Department headquarters and Southern District Police Station, both of which have been relocated from the seismically deficient Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. that housed the police headquarters for over 50 years. The campus is also home to a new Fire Station No. 4 to serve the surrounding neighborhood, and an historic firehouse that was repurposed into both a community meeting space and the offices of the Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Investigation (Arson Task Force).

Construction of the $243 million public safety campus was funded by the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond (ESER), which voters approved in 2010.

“San Francisco voters support public safety infrastructure investments like a modern police headquarters and Public Safety Building campus to keep our world-class City safe and where residents can rely on during daily operation and in an emergency or disaster,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “This Public Safety Building campus also supports the residents of our growing Mission Bay and South of Market neighborhoods with a new firehouse and police station. We are making good on our commitment to deliver quality, critical projects without raising property taxes that will safeguard San Francisco for generations.”

The Public Safety Building broke ground in late 2011. Approximately 300,000 square feet in size, the building was designed for functional resiliency for up to 96 hours after an earthquake or other major disaster, a LEED Gold rating for environmental efficiency in design and construction, and enhanced security. The state-of-the-art facility is part of San Francisco’s 10-Year Capital Plan and represents the City’s commitment to building a stronger future.

“The Public Safety Building is a product of the City’s strategic and transparent capital plan, and is a testament to the will of the residents of San Francisco who value investing in these vital police and fire services,” said Supervisor London Breed, President of the Board of Supervisors.

“The Police Department is up and running at our new headquarters, a modern, technologically superior facility built with the strong backing of voters,” said SFPD Chief Greg Suhr. “The new facility moved us out of the earthquake-vulnerable Hall of Justice and enhances our capabilities to respond to calls and provide coordinated responses.”

The 2010 ESER bond was approved by City voters with 79 percent support. The funding began efforts to seismically reinforce the City’s firehouses and emergency firefighting water system and to construct the new Public Safety Building. In June 2014, San Francisco voters passed a new ESER bond to continue the important work with seismic upgrades to neighborhood fire houses and district police stations, repairs and upgrades to the City’s emergency firefighting water system, and the relocation of the motorcycle police, crime lab and medical examiner.

“The City’s newest Fire Station No. 4 – as well as the community room in the renovated historic firehouse - now serves the growing Mission Bay neighborhood,” said Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. “Firehouses function, operate and are staffed by firefighters 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and these investments go toward healthy, safe, and seismically sound facilities that enhance the Fire Department’s capabilities to provide essential emergency response services to our community.”

The construction project created 750 jobs in San Francisco and involved 158 subcontractors, with 82 LBE (Local Business Enterprise) businesses participating. San Francisco residents worked 187,000 hours on site to build the project.

“This voter-supported public safety investment represents the trust that the public places in the City and also exemplifies all of the hard work and coordination needed to bring this project from concept and design to where we are now: a finished product that is our newest civic structure serving San Francisco residents today and for years to come,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru.

Public Works provided overall project and construction management, and collaborated with the architects on interior work environments for the police headquarters, police and fire stations, and rehabilitation of historic Fire Station 30. HOK+Mark Cavagnero Associates served as lead architect for the project. Pankow Builders was the construction manager and general contractor. The San Francisco Arts Commission oversaw the installation of two major public art installations.

“Two stunning art projects were commissioned through the City’s two-percent-for-art ordinance, which enriches and culturally enhances public spaces citywide,” said San Francisco Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny. “These creative works offer public safety campus staff and visitors the opportunity to honor and commemorate our first responders’ bravery and dedication.”

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right of way; and educates our communities.

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