Claim Your Free Waterfront Property in San Francisco Now!
If no one is stopping people from building on the Embarcadero, what's stopping you?
I recently met an affable homeowner. One might define him as privileged since his property overlooks some of San Francisco’s most sublime scenery. Nestled on the Embarcadero, he can gaze onto the iconic Ferry Building, up Market Street and marvel at the stunning architecture of the Financial District. His house is surrounded by some of the finest hotels, restaurants, cafes and attractions in the city. The California Street cable car turnaround is half a block away.
As the old adage goes - what are the three most important factors in real estate? Location, location, location.
Meet Kenny the homeowner
This gentleman’s name is Kenny. He’s fit and in his mid-30s. Very social, Kenny entertains a large group of friends at all hours. Though his house is a modest single story building, it’s sturdy and filled with artwork and comfortable furniture.
Originally from Seattle, Kenny decided that the strip of the Embarcadero, just to the right of the Ferry Building, is his.
After learning that someone had constructed an actual house on San Francisco Port property, I decided to find out what was happening. On Thursday, July 20, I took the 1 California bus to the Embarcadero.
I walked over to where the house was, but discovered it disassembled. Large plywood planks, bicycles, a sofa and chairs, a battery for power, paint and many other items were strewn about. A man was taking shade under one of the huge pieces of wood. We chatted and he explained that the owner, Kenny, would be back soon.
Indeed he was. Kenny returned, hauling a 5-gallon Arrowhead jug filled with fresh water.
He agreed to an interview, so we sat on his sofa, in the open air on one of the first balmy days of summer. We talked about why he thinks it’s OK to build a house on this spot.
The answer: because he wants to. Which sounds like Kenny was being a jerk, but I found him to be the opposite. He was earnest, open and friendly. I liked him a lot.
Rules not enforced - for some
When no one is enforcing rules, its not surprising that some people will ignore them. Why not build on the Embarcadero if no one will tell you no?
Many residents have complained about the structure, but city officials have largely shrugged with a collective not-my-department attitude.
Unlike the preposterous injunction against disallowing tents on public land (a byproduct of the Coalition on Homelessness lawsuit against the city for not providing enough homes for the constant stream of people entering the city) encampments of any kind on Port property are illegal. That certainly includes building a house.
Yet for some people, the rules are enforced. Ask a restaurant owner just what it takes to construct an outdoor dining space. It is a long, complicated and expensive process, complete with permits, inspections, and high costs. Or talk to somebody who has purchased a house and wants to build an in-law unit. Good luck, as approval is dizzyingly complicated. Even a person who constructs a mini library must pass through a rigmarole of bureaucratic paperwork or face being shut down by the authorities.
But not Kenny. The many complaints against his unlawful residence don’t seem to resonate with him or government officials.
When Kenny is told to remove his house, he reluctantly breaks it down. Then he takes out his nails and tools and rebuilds as soon as no one is looking. Day after day, night after night.
The person who was lounging under the plywood said the house is a terrific hangout spot. Most evenings there are between 20 and 40 people who gravitate and party. Kenny says he tries to conduct outreach to those who are doing hard drugs like fentanyl. He has had a pretty bad past with it, so understands the danger.
The San Francisco Favela
Despite the description, Kenny’s house resembles one from Brazilian favelas. Even with his creative decor (he displays multiple homemade bongs, one of which is constructed out of a hula hoop) it is a ramshackle hut. But even if it were palatial, the strip of land it sits on is not a housing development.
The Embarcadero is for everyone - rich and poor, resident and visitor - to enjoy. It’s a place to walk, skateboard, travel to and from work, visit the city, and shop from the world famous farmer’s market.
It’s that simple. As lovely as Kenny is, the land is not his personal property. All makeshift homes, whether of wood or tarp, need to be removed, immediately and permanently.
As usual, though, nobody from the city is assuming responsibility for this task. After a series of emails that involved District 3 supervisor Aaron Peskin, Rachel Gordon from the Department of Public Works, the Port Authority, and the Department of Emergency Management, the situation was marked as resolved.
The message came though the day before I conducted the interview. Clearly it is very much unresolved.
If the city refuses to uphold the law, consider this a public announcement: Free land is available right outside the Ferry Building. Space is going fast, so confer with an architect, buy materials, hire a team of construction workers and build your dream house on the Embarcadero. The view is priceless.
For me This vignette summed up the situation in SF better than anything I’ve read or heard yet. Thanks
Great story, Erica! We have to hold City Officials accountable for this hands off policy. It is unacceptable. And the Visitor's Bureau wonders why the tourists and conventions folks don't bother coming here anymore. Read this piece Pesky, et al.