Timeline

Initial discussions with the Port of San Francisco for relocating the Exploratorium to Piers 15/17 began in mid-2004. Since that time, a public/private partnership was formed between the Exploratorium and the Port in which we have completed advancing the project through San Francisco’s complex entitlements process. Listed below are some of the more important milestones we have achieved.

Project Milestones
(Reverse Chronology)

• March 4, 2010: Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) unanimously approved the Major Permit.
  
  
• December 2, 2009: BCDC unanimously approved the Special Area Plan Amendment.
  
  
• November 3, 2009: Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Exploratorium Lease and Seawall Lot 321 parking agreement.
  
  
• September 9, 2009: Port Commission unanimously approved the Exploratorium Lease and Seawall Lot 321 parking agreement.
  
  
• July 10, 2009: The Planning Commission voted unanimously to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) based on the Exploratorium’s agreement to accept mitigation measures that reduce identified environmental impacts to less-than-significant levels. The certification clears the way for the Exploratorium to focus on the remaining regulatory approvals.
  
  
• July 2009: The Design Review Board of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Waterfront Design Advisory Committee to the Port Commission recommend the project for approval.
  
  
• March 9, 2009 and July 6, 2009: Port’s Waterfront Design Advisory Committee and BCDC’s Design Review Board unanimously approved the design of the Project and Expanded Project and with subsequent revisions.

• August 12, 2008: Port Commission approval of a new term sheet provides for the option of the Exploratorium to lease both Piers 15 and 17 immediately, and provides 50 years of rent credit as a means of reimbursing the Exploratorium for repairing Pier 15, which it will occupy first. The ultimate long-term goal is to renovate and expand the museum into Pier 17 at the appropriate time.

• January 7, 2008; March 10, 2008; May 5, 2008; and September 8, 2008: Th e Design Review Board of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Waterfront Design Advisory Committee to the Port Commission reviewed schematic design drawings by the Exploratorium.

• December 3, 2007 : Exploratorium hosts community meeting at Pier 1. Guests reviewed schematic drawings and the latest project plans. Public comments were taken.

• December 5, 2006 : Exploratorium hosts first community meeting at the Exploratorium. Guests reviewed the latest project plans and previewed the “Listen: Making Sense of Sound” exhibition.

• July 25, 2006 : Board of Supervisors considers the Fiscal Feasibility Report, determines that the project is fiscally feasible and responsible and endorses the Term Sheet. Approval allows the Exploratorium and Port to submit an application for environmental review, the next step in the entitlements process.

• July 20, 2006 : Telegraph Hill Dwellers unanimously voices support for the project. After a presentation by the Exploratorium, THD’s Joint Planning & Zoning and Waterfront Committee extends official support for the project and urges the Board of Supervisors to find the Exploratorium fiscally feasible and responsible.

• July 19, 2006:  Budget and Finance Committee unanimously approves sending Fiscal Feasibility Report and Term Sheet to full Board of Supervisors. Supervisors voice strong congratulatory statements to the Exploratorium and the Port for the formation of a fiscally sensible public/private partnership.

• July 19, 2006: Office of the Budget Analyst sends positive report to the Budget and Finance Committee.   Upon independent review, the BA concludes that the proposed project is fiscally feasible and responsible in accordance with the Administrative Code.

• June 7, 2006: Northeast Waterfront Advisory Group unanimously voices support for project. After a presentation by the Exploratorium, NEWAG officially votes to support the current and future efforts of the Exploratorium and Port to realize the Exploratorium project at Pier 15/17.

• February 28, 2006: Port Commission unanimously approves entering Exclusive Negotiation Agreement and Term Sheet with Exploratorium, authorizing the parties to proceed with obtaining regulatory approvals and to negotiate the lease and development agreement.

• June 21, 2005: Board of Supervisors unanimously approves Sole Source Resolution, exempting the potential lease of the site to the Exploratorium from the City's competitive bidding policy due to its uniqueness as a special cultural and educational opportunity for the people of the City and County of San Francisco, and encouraging the Port to negotiate with the Exploratorium for the possible lease of the site.