Treasure Island & Yerba Buena Island Project

The Treasure Island and Yerba Buena project is an ambitious development program: with approximately 8-10k housing units under development and a robust 27% affordability, this project is a cornerstone effort for Mayor Breed's Housing Program. It boasts approximately 300 acres of parks and open space, the most significant addition to SF parks since Golden Gate Park, and it is objectively one of the most transit-oriented, sustainable developments in the world; it is supported by $ 2.4 billion worth of new infrastructure.

The neighborhood is at a critical juncture in its history and development: the Navy has transferred a significant portion of the land to the City. The developer has completed the infrastructure for Phase I and two housing developments (229 new units). The first parks have opened. The East Bound Ramp has finally been constructed and is open to the public. Three sub-phase areas are currently under development, and more than 1,300 new residential units are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. The Parks and Open Space Plan for Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island provides approximately 290 acres of new open space and parks, 80 acres on Yerba Buena Island and 210 acres on Treasure Island. The Treasure Island Arts Master Plan is funded by 1% of the construction costs of the island's redevelopment. It is used exclusively to enhance and activate the public realm with artworks and art programming on Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands. The San Francisco Arts Commission leads the Arts Master Plan process. The Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island Project thoroughly integrate sustainability guidelines in every aspect of the project's vision, design, and development. 

The Office of the City Administrator's Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) department is responsible for implementing the multibillion-dollar plan to redevelop the former Naval Station Treasure Island. As the new infrastructure is built, it becomes city infrastructure, owned and operated by the various city agencies like any other San Francisco neighborhood. 

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's (SFMTA) Department of Parking and Traffic, a division of the City and County of San Francisco that oversees parking regulations throughout San Francisco, has jurisdiction over the islands in San Francisco Bay and will handle parking regulations and enforcement on the islands. Muni Line 25 connects the islands to the SF Transit Center with frequent service.

Understanding Treasure & Yerba Buena Islands History

Halfway between San Francisco and the East Bay lies the island duo of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. Though connected, Treasure Island is manmade, and Yerba Buena Island is natural. 

Yerba Buena Island holds a long history with Indigenous People as Ohlone ancestors inhabited the island and the shoals. YBI may have been used as a fishing station or permanent settlement for the Huchiun Ohlone people for many years. During this era, YBI would have provided the Ohlone with fresh water from at least one spring, as well as firewood and fishing access.

Treasure Island was built as a WPA-era project as San Francisco’s first airport to support Pan Am’s Trans-Pacific “flying boat” service (aircraft Boeing 314 Clipper, one of the largest aircraft of its time), Treasure Island has been subtly redefining itself for many years. The island hosted the 1939–1940 World’s Fair and still has some excellent examples of Art Deco architecture from that era, even though the “flying boat” airport never quite worked out. The island served as a training ground for the US Navy in the latter half of the 20th century.

As Treasure Island passed from the Navy to the City of San Francisco, a “reuse” plan was developed to reuse 375 existing housing units; job opportunities through a 25% employment set aside for homeless & economically disadvantaged San Franciscans; economic development opportunities for nonprofits who had enterprises that trained and employed homeless and low-income people such as service contracts and small businesses; and, service spaces to support formerly homeless residents in supportive housing, restaurants, schools, and entertainment venues. As a result, the island has evolved into a burgeoning residential neighborhood.

GOALS AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS

The project supports the SFMTA Strategic Plan goals and City policies and initiatives, including:

• TRANSIT FIRST policy and WALK FIRST priorities
• Muni Forward
• Better Streets Plan, and
• San Francisco Bicycle Plan

The Treasure Island project aims to provide a community that can serve as a sustainable development and transportation model, with expanded transit options, a customized transit pass, managed parking, a congestion management system, and demand management programs. Potential benefits include:

• Expanded housing and employment opportunities, including permanent and construction jobs
• Improved transit connections in an area with limited transit service today
• A walkable and bikeable community
• Tax revenues supporting expanded services

The SFMTA  and project partners will provide a comprehensive, sustainable transportation system  to support new housing and employment, including:

• Extensive ferry and bus transit service connecting to the San Francisco mainland and Oakland
• A comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network, with 90 percent of residents within a 15-minute walk of the intermodal hub and town center
• Congestion pricing to encourage and fund transit trips
• Subsidized transit passes for residents and other TDM measures

The proposed transportation improvements are funded by private development, with supportive efforts by the responsible public agencies to secure additional federal and local grants. Development is expected to fund construction costs fully and to contribute toward rolling stock. Transit pass/farebox revenues, congestion pricing, and parking revenues should cover operating costs fully.  

The Treasure Island Infrastructure and Revitalization Financing District (IRFD) is overseen by the City and the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA). Drawing from tax increment as well as funds from a Community Facilities District (CFD), the Treasure Island IRFD will go towards funding housing development, commercial and retail development, public infrastructure improvement (streets, utilities, community facilities, etc.), park/open space maintenance, and geotechnical improvements. While funds from the CFD go primarily towards the proposed park, open space maintenance, and geotechnical improvements, the funds generated from the IRFD go primarily toward the proposed housing, economic development, and property improvements.

OUR PARTNERS

SFMTA leads in the coordination, analysis and implementation strategy of the proposed bus transit service to San Francisco, as well as the general on-island vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian transportation network, partnering with San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development and The Treasure Island Development Authority, a department within the City Administrator's Office. The Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency (TIMMA) will oversee the implementation of a comprehensive transportation demand management program. One Treasure Island is an on-island nonprofit that has served the community since 1994.